Got chicken skin? Here’s what to do about it.

If you've got tiny, rough bumps on your upper arms, thighs, or cheeks that no amount of moisturiser seems to fix, there's a good chance you're dealing with keratosis pilaris. Also known as KP. Also known, somewhat unfortunately, as chicken skin.

Here's the good news: it's incredibly common, completely harmless, and — with the right routine — very manageable. Here's what you need to know.

What is chicken skin, exactly?

Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a skin condition where keratin — a protein that makes up the outer layer of your skin — builds up and plugs hair follicles. The result is small, hard bumps that can look a little like goosebumps that never left. They're usually skin-coloured or slightly red, and the skin around them can feel rough and dry.

KP most commonly appears on the upper arms and thighs, but it can also show up on the cheeks, buttocks, and back. It often gets worse in winter when skin is drier, and tends to improve over summer — though not always.

It's not contagious, it's not dangerous, and it doesn't mean your skin is unclean. It's just your skin producing too much of a good thing.

Who gets KP?

About 40% of adults have KP — so if you've got it, you're in excellent company. It tends to run in families, is more common in people with dry skin or eczema, and often appears during puberty before fading in adulthood (though plenty of adults keep it well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond). Hormonal shifts — including pregnancy — can also trigger or worsen it.

There's no cure, but there's a lot you can do to reduce its appearance and make your skin feel smoother.

What actually helps with KP?

KP is a keratin build-up problem, so the solution is getting better at clearing that build-up. That means two things: exfoliation and hydration. Ideally, both.

Step one: exfoliate with acids

Physical scrubbing alone won't cut it — the plugs sit inside the follicle, not just on the surface. What you need is chemical exfoliation: acids that dissolve the keratin plug rather than just buffing the top layer.

The ones that work hardest on KP are:

• Glycolic acid — an AHA that breaks down the bonds between dead skin cells and clears the follicle opening
• Lactic acid — a gentler AHA that exfoliates and hydrates at the same time
• Salicylic acid — a BHA that gets deeper into the follicle to clear congestion

My Glycolic Body Scrub combines glycolic acid with pumice for chemical and physical exfoliation in one hit — it works on the surface and inside the pore at the same time. Use it 2–3 times a week on the affected areas.

For something you can use every shower without the exfoliation overhead, my Triple Acid Body Wash has glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid in a daily cleanser. Wash your bumpy bits, rinse, repeat. Over time it keeps the keratin from building up in the first place.

Step two: follow with an acid moisturiser

This is the step most people skip — and it makes the biggest difference. After you exfoliate, you need to lock in moisture and keep the acids working between showers.

My Smoothing AHA Body Lotion is made for exactly this. Lactic and glycolic acids keep exfoliating gently while mango seed butter and macadamia oil hydrate. Apply it to damp skin after showering for best absorption.

If you want to target specific spots throughout the day — or reach areas that are harder to get in the shower — the Triple Acid Body Mist is a lightweight spray with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid. A few spritzes on your upper arms after the gym, after swimming, or whenever your skin needs it. No residue, no effort.

Step three: don't skip the barrier

Over-exfoliating is a real risk with KP routines. If you strip your skin barrier without replenishing it, you can end up with dry, red, irritated skin on top of the bumps — which is worse.

On the days you're not exfoliating, reach for something that purely hydrates and repairs. My Barrier Body Creme — packed with ceramides, panthenol, and niacinamide — is designed to restore what exfoliation takes out. Think of it as the recovery day between acid sessions.

What doesn't help with KP

A few things worth avoiding:

• Scrubbing harder — aggressive physical exfoliation can irritate the skin and make redness worse without clearing the plugs
• Picking or squeezing — the bumps aren't spots. Picking can cause scarring and hyperpigmentation that lasts long after the KP itself has calmed down
• Skipping moisturiser — dry skin makes KP worse. Hydration is not optional
• Hot showers — hot water strips your skin barrier and dehydrates skin. Not ideal when you're trying to keep moisture in
• Expecting overnight results — KP takes consistent care. Give your routine 6–8 weeks before judging it

Will KP go away on its own?

Sometimes. KP often improves with age, and many people find it clears significantly or disappears entirely by their mid-30s. But for plenty of babes it sticks around, and the only way to manage it is with an active routine.

The good news is that consistent exfoliation and hydration can dramatically reduce the appearance of KP — smoother texture, less redness, and skin that actually looks like skin rather than a plucked bird. It won't always disappear completely, but it absolutely improves.

The short version

KP is a keratin build-up in your hair follicles. It's common, harmless, and treatable with the right routine. Use acid-based exfoliants to clear the plugs, follow with an acid moisturiser to keep them clear, and give your barrier recovery days so you don't over-strip.

It takes consistency, not miracles. Start with the acids, stay with the moisturiser, and give it time.

x frank