My keratosis pilaris gets a lot worse in winter when the air is dry.
Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a harmless, common skin condition that causes small rough bumps, usually on the backs of the arms or the thighs. Some people call it chicken skin. I have it, and these are the natural products I use for mine.
What is keratosis pilaris?
Keratosis pilaris happens when keratin, a protein that protects the skin, builds up and plugs the hair follicles, which creates the little bumps. It often runs in families, and it tends to flare when the skin is dry. My keratosis pilaris gets a lot worse in winter when the air is dry.
My natural remedies for keratosis pilaris
These three things help my keratosis pilaris the most.
The first is exfoliation with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic and lactic acid, which help loosen dead skin. I use AHA liquid exfoliants and physical scrubs, but not on the same day. I also dry body brush before I shower.
The second is moisturising. I use a rich moisturiser with shea butter or cocoa butter straight after a shower while my skin is still warm, and I switch between organic coconut oil and sweet almond oil, on their own or mixed into my moisturiser.
The third is a shower filter. I started using shower filters back in 2012, and I just can't imagine having a shower without one.
Here are the exact products I use.
The exfoliators I use
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Scrub + Mask
I got this tip directly from Miranda Kerr when I met her in Sydney. It's one of her favourite products, and she told me a lot of her customers were saying how much it helped with their keratosis pilaris. I tried it myself once I heard that, and she's right, it works really well. It has organic turmeric, rosehip, aspen bark, papaya and lactic acid, plus pumice for physical exfoliation. I put it on my arms as a mask before a shower, then gently scrub it off once I'm in.
Vanessa Megan AHA & Willow Bark Clarifying Decongestion Serum
This AHA serum works as a chemical exfoliant, sloughing away the dead skin cells that can block the hair follicles. I put it on at night. It contains lactic, glycolic, citric, malic and tartaric acids, plus niacinamide, willow bark, witch hazel, lavender and Bulgarian rose. Just avoid it if your skin is super sensitive.
The moisturisers I use
Weleda Skin Food Body Butter
In winter I use the Weleda Skin Food Body Butter. It's a rich, whipped body butter made for very dry skin, with organic shea butter and cocoa butter, plus pansy, calendula and chamomile. It has the classic Skin Food scent of sweet orange, lavender and vanilla.
Weleda Skin Food Body Lotion
In the warmer months I switch to the lighter Skin Food Body Lotion. It has sunflower seed oil, pansy, organic calendula and chamomile, and the same Skin Food scent.
Vanessa Megan Bio-Omega Contouring Body Oil
I also love using an oil. The Bio-Omega has jojoba, sunflower, coconut, pumpkin seed, rosehip and boab oils, with lavender, bergamot and neroli essential oils.
The shower filter I use
Waters Co Therapy Shower Filter - Lavender
This filter uses vitamin C and negative ions to remove chlorine and chloramine from tap water, and it adds collagen to the water too. There's a Neutral one that's fragrance free, but I personally love a little natural fragrance, so I use the Lavender one. It's quick and easy to install.
About the Author
Irene Falcone is the founder of Clean Nectarine and co-host of The Lee & Irene Show. She started her first clean beauty business in 2011 with $100 in her garage and grew it to $20m in four years. She has spent over 15 years reading the backs of beauty and wellness labels, is a Telstra Business Women's Awards winner and an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, and has been featured on A Current Affair, The Project, Sunrise, Channel Nine Mornings and Sky News.
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