Learn what causes Keratosis Pilaris
If you’ve ever noticed rough and bump skin on your upper arms, thighs, buttocks or face, you aren’t alone. Nearly half of the UK experience Keratosis Pilaris (or chicken skin as it is most commonly referred to) – a harmless and very common skin condition. But what causes it and how can it be treated and prevented?
What can you do to improve the appearance of your skin?
one way of managing this condition is tackling the build-up of keratin on the surface of the skin. Using a cleanser that can increase skin-cell turnover while providing moisture. CeraVe’s award-winning SA Smoothing Cleanser is a lightly foaming gel that gently smooths and exfoliates dry, rough and bumpy skin so is ideal for rough and bumpy skin. It’s formulated with three essential ceramides (1, 3 and 6-II) that protect the skin’s barrier, and the liquid exfoliant salicylic acid to smooth the surface of the skin. The powerful humectant hyaluronic acid also attracts and retains moisture on the skin and keeps the skin barrier healthy and supple to leave a healthy skin barrier.
Once out of the shower, lock in extra hydration with a body moisturiser such as CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream. This gentle cream works alongside the SA Smoothing cleanser and contains urea to retain moisture, and salicylic acid to exfoliate and smooth rough, bumpy skin. It’s also formulated with three essential ceramides and makes use of MultiVesicular Emulsion Technology (MVE) that releases hydrating ingredients, layer by layer, for up to 24 hours. Your skin should look and visibly improved after just three days.
Management and prevention
Sadly, there isn’t a cure for Keratosis Pilaris, but it can be managed with regular exfoliation and cleansing. You can also ease redness and dryness by showering and bathing in lukewarm, rather than hot, water which can dry out the skin and make the condition worse. Keeping the central heating at a low-temperature and using humidifiers in the home can also help.
What to avoid
One of the main things to remember when treating Keratosis Pilaris is that it can’t be scrubbed away with physical exfoliants or cleansing tools. This will simply irritate and damage the surface of the skin and even make it worse. Stick to cleansers such as SA Smoothing cleanser that treat the condition with gentle liquid exfoliants and essential ceramides.
