What Is Keratosis Pilaris?

What Is Keratosis Pilaris?

Have you ever noticed little red bumps or dry spots on your arms, thighs or anywhere else on your body? Don’t worry, this is completely normal. In fact, around 1 in 3 people have the same thing.

This is called Keratosis Pilaris and it’s a really common, completely harmless skin condition.

What is Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis Pilaris is a skin condition that causes dry, rough patches and tiny bumps on the surface of your skin. It can occur at any age and on anybody, however, it is normally hereditary. 

Although anyone can have Keratosis Pilaris it is most common in children and young females. You’ll also be more likely to have it if you also have skin conditions such as eczema. 

keratosis pilaris

What causes keratosis pilaris?

As mentioned above, Keratosis Pilaris is hereditary. However there is a deeper cause to what actually creates these small bumps. 

It’s caused by a buildup of keratin (keratosis) which is a hard protein that protects your skin from harmful substances and infection. The buildup of keratin can then form a plug which blocks the opening of a hair follicle - pilaris comes from the latin ‘pilus’ for hair. There are normally lots of small plug blocks which cause the raised bumps and patches on the skin.

Where does it affect?

Keratosis Pilaris can affect anywhere on your body. But, the most common places where people have it are the tops and backs of arms, thighs, cheeks or buttocks. 

It doesn’t differ depending on where it is on your body and is completely harmless, although some people may say that they occasionally experience itchiness that comes along with the dry spots.

keratosis pilaris

How to treat keratosis pilaris

There is no cure for Keratosis Pilaris but it can (not always) clear up over time. However, there are ways that you can lessen the severity of the condition. 

If you want to reduce the appearance of Keratosis Pilaris then there are creams that can help. At Evolve Beauty we recently launched our brand new 360 Smoothing Body Contour. This cream contains advanced natural ingredients that work together to help care for your skin.

It includes our fruit AHA blend that helps to bind water into the skin, deliver more oxygen and energy to the cells, boost collagen and hyaluronic acid production therefore enhancing general skin health and skin texture. It also uses Peruvian Maca to stimulate cellular renewal.

However, perhaps most importantly for keratosis pilaris it contains Pink Salt Lake Bioactive. This bioactive targets keratosis pilaris and helps skin feel smooth, soft and calm.

firming body cream

 


 One of our lovely customers, Lucy, sent us this photo showing how our 360 Smoothing Body Contour has helped the keratosis pilaris on her upper arms!

"I have been using the 360 smoothing body contour for the last 4 weeks and have noted some incredible changes in my skin. I have a skin condition call Keratosis Pilaris, aka ‘chicken skin’. Your skin is rough and dry, creating red bumps from the build up of protein in your skin. I largely suffer from this on my arms and have done since childhood. Since using the cream, I have notice significant changes to the texture of my skin. There are fewer bumps, so the surface is a lot smoother and they maintain moisture more than your generic moisturisers. You only need the size of 1p per arm, (a little goes a long way), and they still feel great by the end of the day. There have been small changes to the appearance of the keratosis. This will not cure the condition but it gives you so much confidence in having your arms on show."

keratosis pilaris