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Because bumpy skin is never fun.
Byrdie
Theres no known cure for KP, but regularly slathering your skin with targeted lotions can help reduce symptoms.
Some of the most effective lotions containalpha-hydroxy acidslikeglycolicandlactic,beta-hydroxy acid(salicylic), andpolyhydroxy acids.
Wetested19 top-rated products to find the most effective over-the-counter KP treatments.
PHOTO: Amazon
With guidance from board-certified dermatologistsDr.
Nava Greenfield, M.D., andDr.
Ariel Ostad, M.D., we narrowed it down to these truly effective formulas.
PHOTO: Amazon
The product claims to improve skin texture in one hour and actually did.
And a little went a long waywe expect this tub to last for ages!
The results and the formula were comparable to those of luxury brands we’ve tried.
Byrdie
Sarah, tester:The texture of this product is lovely!
It’s lightweight and barely noticeable.
It feels creamy but sinks in immediately, which I love.
PHOTO: Amazon
It feels soothing when applied and spreads incredibly easily.
(A quarter-sized amount allowed for liberal coverage of our entire arm.)
It practically melts into the skin without any greasy residue, which makes it a pleasure to use.
Byrdie
It seemed to melt into my skin in just a couple minutes and left it feeling noticeably softer.
It contains a blend of lactic acid salts that equate to a concentration of 15% lactic acid.
The texture is very rich and feels soothing on the skin.
PHOTO: Sephora
After the testing period, we noticed a significant improvement in therednessand texture of our skin.
Like most Amlactin products, this formula has a very strong scent that lasts for hours after system.
The product did have a very unpleasant smell, but was still hydrating for my skin.
Byrdie
Best Absorption
Drunk Elephant T.L.C.
It also didnt smell overly medicinal like many other lotions designed to treat keratosis pilaris.
Jennifer, tester:I was pleased with the results.
PHOTO: Amazon
As long as I used it the right way, it worked.
I would say I saw results after a week.
It was nice to keep my skin hydrated because I am not good at that.
Byrdie
There was no lingering scent so that was great, and my skin felt really hydrated.
The product is really easy to smooth out on the skin and my skin felt like it could breathe.
At no point did we feel any tingling, burning, or irritation while testing this lotion.
PHOTO: Amazon
Karah, tester:I was pleased with the results in terms of smoothing bumps.
I think I started to notice a difference in my skin’s texture after about a week of use.
Meanwhile,allantoindelivered nourishing moisture that lasted all day.
Byrdie
Though it has a richer texture, it absorbed easily and didnt leave us feeling sticky.
A quick rinse of our fingertips did the trick, though.
I did like how soft it made my skin feel after use.
PHOTO: Glytone
The most noticeable results kicked in at the two-week mark, which we found pretty impressive.
The formula had a slightly chunky texture, which was not the best.
Regardless, its ease of use and the results made this one a winner in our books.
Byrdie
Victoria, tester:The lotion absorbs very well into the skin.
Once it was on there was truly no transfer to my clothing, hands, etc.
Thats likely due to the inclusion ofniacinamide, a potent anti-inflammatory, as well as exfoliating glycolic acid.
PHOTO: Kopari
But this formula made a difference when we stuck to consistent use.
Sabrina, tester:So my KP isn’t gone, but this did make a noticeable difference.
There are fewer red spots for sure and fewer bumps overall.
Byrdie
The progress has been gradual and steady.
It even helped clear up breakoutsperfect if you also want aproduct to treat back acne.
We also never needed to reapply as the moisturizing effects lasted the entire day.
PHOTO: Mario Badescu
Despite how rapidly the product worked, it never irritated our skin.
Lauren, tester:I would say after 20 seconds I felt this absorb and start to work!
The product goes on like silk butter and doesn’t give a sticky feeling on hands or skin.
Byrdie
We think that, with continued use, itll help heal our skin even more.
It was truly weightless after that, and I didn’t feel anything on my skin after using it.
We only needed a dime-sized amount to fully cover each arm.
PHOTO: Amazon
Youll also need to use it consistentlyit took us about six weeks to see results.
Laura, tester:The lotion absorbs really well for a KP lotion.
It was so gentle (and such an enjoyable texture) that we used it across our entire body.
Byrdie
There was a mildly medicinal smell upon tool but it didnt linger.
Michal, tester:In terms of texture, my skin feels smoother and has less bumpiness.
My skin feels less sensitive where I have KP.
PHOTO: Amazon
This causes small, rough bumps to appear around the hair follicles, she says.
She’s particularly knowledgeable about anything and everything skincare-related.
She researched dozens of lotions for keratosis pilaris to inform this article.
Byrdie
PHOTO: Peach & Lily
Byrdie
PHOTO: Skinfix