Home is where the best KP treatment is.

Sometimes when it comes to skin, we assume the only real fix is a (very expensive) professional appointment. And for some conditions, that's true. But keratosis pilaris — KP, chicken skin, strawberry skin, whatever you call those little bumps on your arms — can be managed very effectively at home. You just need the right products and a routine you'll actually stick to.

What is KP, and why do you have it?

Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition caused by a build-up of keratin — the same protein that makes up your hair and nails — that plugs individual hair follicles. The result is small, rough bumps most commonly found on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks, or butt. They're usually skin-coloured or slightly red and can make skin feel like sandpaper.

Should you be worried? No. KP is harmless, it's not contagious, and it generally doesn't cause pain or itching. It is, however, persistent — and it responds best to a consistent routine rather than a one-off treatment. Here's how to build one.

Step one: exfoliate with glycolic acid in the shower

Glycolic acid is the gold standard for KP because of its molecular size. It's a small molecule, which means it can penetrate into the follicle and get to work on the keratin plug directly — not just the skin surface. Combined with a physical exfoliant, it clears from the inside and the outside at the same time.

My Glycolic Body Scrub does exactly this. Glycolic acid dissolves the plug; pumice buffs the surface. Use a generous scoop on KP-prone areas — upper arms, thighs, butt — work it in with circular motions, and rinse off. Every second day is the sweet spot: often enough to prevent keratin build-up, not so often that you irritate or over-strip the skin.

If you prefer something that works every shower, my Triple Acid Body Wash has glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid in a daily cleanser format. Use it as your regular body wash on KP areas and it keeps the build-up from forming in the first place.

Step two: follow with an AHA moisturiser

This is the step that makes the biggest difference — and the one most people skip. Glycolic and lactic acids (AHAs) continue working on the skin even after you rinse off, which is why applying an acid-based moisturiser after the shower extends the results significantly.

Apply my Smoothing AHA Body Lotion to damp skin straight out of the shower. Lactic and glycolic acids exfoliate while mango seed butter and macadamia oil lock in moisture — because dry skin makes KP look and feel worse. You can use it morning or night; if you're only doing it once, evening is marginally better since your skin does most of its repair work overnight.

Step three: use a targeted mist for hard-to-reach spots

Upper arms and shoulders are classic KP territory and notoriously hard to scrub evenly. The Triple Acid Body Mist fills the gap: a lightweight spray with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid that you can apply any time — after the gym, mid-afternoon, whenever. A few spritzes on the affected area, no rinsing needed, no residue.

Step four: don't over-exfoliate

Using acids consistently is the key to managing KP, but more is not more. If your skin starts feeling tight, red, or sensitive, that's your signal to dial it back. On the days you skip the scrub, stick with the AHA lotion only — and if even that feels like too much, take a day off entirely and let your skin recover. The goal is a steady, sustainable routine, not an aggressive one.

Step five: don't pick at it

The bumps can look a lot like spots, and the instinct is to treat them like spots. Don't. Picking at KP won't clear the keratin plug — it will push bacteria into the follicle, cause irritation, and can leave post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that takes far longer to fade than the original bump. If you've got an unconscious picking habit, covering the area (long sleeves while watching TV, for example) helps break the cycle.

What to expect

KP doesn't clear overnight. With a consistent acid routine — exfoliation every second day, AHA moisturiser daily — most people start to notice a difference in texture within 4–6 weeks. Redness tends to improve after that. Full results take longer, and some people find KP never fully disappears but becomes smooth enough that it's no longer visible or noticeable.

Consistency is the whole game. The routine doesn't need to be complicated — it just needs to happen regularly.

x frank