11 Best Keratosis Pilaris Treatments for Bumpy Skin, Reviewed by Glamour Editors With KP

“My skin—and especially my legs—are so sensitive that growing up I had to often slather them in Vaseline to stop them from itching or hurting after I shaved. It worked, but who wants to feel like an oil slick? Or have to wear sweatpants in the summer for fear of getting Vaseline all over everything else? I’ve found lots of lotions over the years that help, but am happy to add a new one to the list: La Roche-Posay’s Roughness Smoothing Lotion. I’m a huge fan of the brand overall, and the ease of the pump here, plus a formula that soothes and calms my dry, sensitive skin without it being greasy, is such a win-win,” says Glamour senior West Coast editor Jessica Radloff.

Best Drugstore: Cetaphil Exfoliating Rough and Bumpy Cream

A go-to brand for those with hypersensitive skin, not to mention a dermatologist-favorite, Cetaphil’s cream helps with KP-related bumps without irritating the skin or disrupting the skin’s barrier. “I’ve never really used a product like this to address the bumpy skin on my upper arms and shoulders, but after using Cetaphil’s exfoliating rough and bumpy cream, I have noticed that my skin really does feel softer and more hydrated. The bumpiness is barely noticeable after only a few applications. I even noticed the difference while in the shower almost 24 hours since the last time I used it. Overall, I have been really pleased with the product and would definitely keep using it,” says Glamour contributor William Langdon.

Best for Mature Skin: SkinFix Resurface + AHA/BHA Renewing Body Cream

Many KP creams take a while to absorb and sting highly sensitive skin, but this one glides on smoothly and, though it takes just a little extra effort to help it absorb, the results speak for themselves. Just beware of one small caveat, as our tester Twine points out. “Right off the bat, I’m giving a heads-up: This product has a strong scent (to me, it smells a little like rubber), and I saw a lot of reviews and comment threads discussing this at length. This may deter some people. However, this treatment does work,” she says. “I suggest putting this lotion on targeted areas—I put mine on my elbows, ankles, and bumpy sections of my thighs and arms. While it doesn’t make my skin as soft as other products, it does exfoliate and make fine lines look smoother. The day after my first application, I was able to gently rub off the rough skin off my ankles to reveal a smooth surface, and a few of my bumps were shedding off. Just hang on through the scent, and you may be pleased with this treatment,” says Twine.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Beekman 1802 Sunshine Scrub – PHA Body Exfoliator

This product’s unique combination of goat-milk prebiotic and milk postbiotic, PHAs, golden-beet-root extract, and pumice (which works as a physical exfoliant) helps to slough away skin, reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and of course, the bumps associated with KP—all while nourishing the skin’s microbiome to help fortify against sensitivity. What’s not to like about this scrub?

“I deal with dry, dull bumps on my legs, so a good exfoliator is much needed to keep them looking and feeling smooth. I recently tested this body exfoliator and saw an immediate improvement—my skin was a lot softer and more plush. I loved it because it’s both physical and chemical (with PHAs and pumice beads), but doesn’t strip the skin or feel overly harsh. Instead, it dissolves nicely while still doing the job, a total must-try,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary.

Best for Acne Prone Skin: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment Peel Pads

These towelettes not only improve the overall appearance of the skin, but they help to visibly reduce bumps, improve ingrown hairs, and reduce the appearance of body acne. Powered by a blend of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), bakuchiol to exfoliate, and squalene and aloe to soothe the skin’s moisture barrier, expect glowier and firmer looking skin even after one use.

“I must confess,” says Glamour contributor Taryn Brooke, “that I’ve been using these peel pads from Dr. Dennis Gross for years. I always go back to them once the warmer months hit, and I really need to care more about the backs of my legs, butt, and upper arms. I don’t like messy products, and the fact that these are in towelette form makes them easy to use and exfoliate hard-to-reach places on my body. I use them twice a week as part of my skin care routine, and I notice that any ingrown hair follicles from shaving or chafing from working out all but disappear. User tip: The towelette can dry out easily, so be sure to get to all the areas on the body that are an issue and don’t linger too long on one area. You can always go back to it.”

Best Dual Exfoliant: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator

This dual exfoliator is super gentle but packs a huge punch. It does more than just physically slough away skin cells with fine volcanic pumice beads—it also contains a winning combination of AHAs and BHAs that targets discoloration and leaves the skin supersmooth and with a nice, glossy sheen.

Glamour’s Kilkeary has been a fan of this scrub for years because it’s gentle enough to not overly exfoliate or harm the skin, but potent enough to actually see a difference. “Whenever my skin is looking dull or flat, I always reach for this gentle scrub to get rid of dead skin cells. I’ve never felt dried out or stripped when using this; rather, it really helps my skin retain moisture post-shower. I always finish with a moisturizing cream to lock it all in, but I never felt that dreaded skin tightness that sometimes happens post-exfoliation with this pick. My favorite part is also how luxurious the scents are, and that it comes in a fragrance-free option that’s perfect for days when your skin might be feeling extra sensitive.”

Best Soap for KP: Soft Services Buffing Bar Exfoliating Body Bar for KP and Ingrown Hair

Exfoliants can sometimes get messy when you’re showering, but this bar takes care of that problem. The exfoliating treatment contains hydrating ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, and though it won’t replace a regular soap bar, it truly smooths and evens out the texture on areas of the skin that need some extra TLC.

“I don’t exfoliate regularly in the shower, though I do hate dealing with the dead skin that builds up from lotion and grime. My skin is quite sensitive, so that’s why I generally avoid harsh exfoliants. Still, I was curious to try this body bar, which is essentially a bar of soap with mineral microcrystals in its formula,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. “I used it on wet skin, and at first, it was quite gentle and slippery, but then it quickly turned rough like sandpaper. I can’t say the feeling is entirely pleasant, but if you’re someone who likes the sensation of scrubbing, it definitely fulfills that. The bar doesn’t have a strong scent (in fact, almost none at all), which I appreciated. After using it, my skin did feel smoother and not too dry, perhaps thanks to its hydrating shea butter.”

Best Face Wash: SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cleanser

Though keratosis pilaris is more likely to occur on the body, it can also appear on the face. “It [can present as] tiny rough bumps typically on the cheeks that are very uniform in their appearance. It can also be mistaken for acne,” says Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC. The rough bumps that appear on the face may be flesh-colored, red, or slightly pink, and may feel sandpaper-y. “In some cases, keratosis pilaris on the face may be accompanied by mild redness or uneven texture, especially in individuals with a history of eczema or sensitive skin,” says Dr. Rambhia.