This condition is also called chicken skin. It is a very common skin disorder that is characterized by small and acne-like bumps, which are usually appearing on the cheeks, buttocks, legs, and upper arms.
These red or white bumps tend to be dry, rough, and at times itchy. This is usually a benign condition that can improve or even disappear with age, generally by the age of thirty. This condition happens when there is excess keratin protein in your skin which plugs hair follicles, causing bumps to form, which make your skin feel like sandpaper and appears like goose flesh.
It is not known the reason for the buildup of keratin. This condition often runs in families, and it is associated with eczema and other dry skin conditions. Also, it tends to be worse during the winter months.
There is no known cure for keratosis pilaris, but there are some lotions and over–the–counter creams that can help you to deal with this problem. Also, you can try some of the below-mentioned home remedies. Before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies for keratosis pilaris, you need to talk with your doctor. You should use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home. You should not pick or scratch at the bumps. You should limit your bath or shower time to about 10 minutes.
10 Home remedies for keratosis pilaris
Contents
Epsom salt
This home remedy is beneficial for your skin and overall health. It is rich in minerals that can help to soften dry and hard skin, relieves stress, reduces inflammation, removes toxins, and soothes itching [1].
You should stir one cup of Epsom salt in warm bath water. You should soak your body in this water for twenty minutes. You should pat dry your skin, and then you should apply a moisturizer or coconut oil. You should do this natural treatment a few times per week.
Also, there is another option, and that is to mix a handful of Epsom salt with one tablespoon of olive oil. You should gently scrub your skin with this mixture once or twice a week. People who have diabetes, heart problems, or high blood pressure should not use Epsom salt as their natural treatment.
Sea salt
Exfoliating your skin with a sea salt scrub can help to unclog the skin pores, and it can soften the rough skin. Also, it has minerals that can promote skin health, and they can absorb toxins from your skin [1]. You should mix ½ cup of grapeseed oil or almond oil and one tablespoon of grapefruit essential oil in one cup of sea salt. You should dampen your skin, and then you should scrub with this mixture. You should wash it off and then apply a moisturizer. You should do this natural treatment once or twice a week.
Sour cream
This home remedy has lactic acid, which can help to exfoliate the skin to remove the buildup of keratin without drying out the skin [2,3]. When this home remedy is combined with sugar, then it makes it a great skin scrub. You should mix one teaspoon of brown or white sugar and should add 2 teaspoons of sour cream. You should apply it to the affected skin, and you should gently scrub in a circular motion. You should let it stay there for a few minutes and then wash it off. You should repeat this natural treatment a few times per week. Buttermilk and yogurt also have lactic acid so you can apply either of these home remedies as well.
Oatmeal
This is one of the best ingredients for your skin because it can soothe dry and itchy skin. You can use this home remedy as a skin scrub because it can help you to rid of the buildup of dead skin cells [4]. You should grind 1/3 cup of oatmeal in a coffee grinder or food processor to make a fine powder. You should add it to warm bath water, and you should soak in this home remedy for fifteen to twenty minutes. You should do this natural treatment at least once a week.
Also, you can make a paste of one tablespoon of oatmeal and warm water. You should gently rub this paste on your skin and let it stay there for ten to fifteen minutes. You should wash it off and then moisturize your skin. You should do this natural treatment a few times per week.
Olive oil
This is also a very effective home remedy for keratosis pilaris because it is good for moisturizing your skin, and it is rich in Vitamin E [5]. Also, you can combine it with honey and sugar to make a skin scrub. You should apply extra–virgin olive oil on your skin a few times per day on a regular basis. Also, you can create a natural scrub by mixing 2 tablespoons of extra–virgin olive oil and sugar and one teaspoon of honey. You should gently rub it on your skin, wash it off and then moisturize your skin. You should do this natural treatment once or twice a week.
Baking soda
This is an excellent exfoliant that can help to remove dead skin cells which block the pores, and also it can help you to rid of the bumps on your skin [6]. You should mix enough water with 2 teaspoons of baking soda to make a paste. Dampen your skin, and you should gently scrub with paste in a circular motion. You should wash it off with warm water, and you should moisturize your skin. Repeat this natural treatment a few times per week.
Coconut oil
Pure and virgin coconut oil is a very effective home remedy for this condition because it has moisturizing properties. Also, it can promote glowing skin and provides antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
You should apply coconut oil to your skin several times per day, especially after bathing when the skin is still moist, and this can help to retain the moisture. You should eat one teaspoon of coconut oil per day. You can gradually increase this amount to up to 3 tablespoons a day.
Also, you can make a homemade scrub by mixing 2 teaspoons of honey, 2 parts of coconut oil, one part of white sugar, and one part of brown sugar. You should gently rub this home remedy on your skin to exfoliate. Wash it off, and then you should moisturize your skin. You should use this home remedy once or twice a week. [5]
Apple cider vinegar
This is one of the best home remedies for keratosis pilaris because it has astringent properties which can help to unclog the skin pores. This is also a very effective home remedy for overall health. You should mix equal amounts of water and apple cider vinegar. Apply this home remedy to the affected area, let it stay there for a few minutes, and then wash it off. You should repeat it a few times per day until you are satisfied with the results. If you have noticed that this home remedy is too strong for your skin, then you can dilute it by adding more water.
Also, there is another option, and that is to mix ½ cup of apple cider vinegar and ½ cup of coconut oil. You should add one tablespoon of soy lecithin. You should use this home remedy on the affected skin on a daily basis.
Also, you can add one teaspoon of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar to one glass of water, and you should drink it once or twice per day. [7]
Fish oil
It is a known fact that essential fatty acids like Omega – 3 fatty acids can help in the treatment of keratosis pilaris because they can heal dryness and promote healthy skin. Fish oil is a good source of Omega – 3 fatty acids. You should take 1 – 3 grams of fish oil supplements on daily basis. Talk with your doctor about the proper dosage and if it is suitable for you.
Also, oily fish like tuna, sardines, trout, mackerel, and salmon are good sources of fatty acids. You should include these fatty fish in your diet. The general recommendation is one serving of fatty fish two times per week. Fish oil can interact with medications that slow blood clotting, so talks with your doctor before you use them.
Vitamin E oil
This is a very effective home remedy for treating keratosis pilaris because it can help smooth out the bumps and it can retain moisture. Also, Vitamin E can facilitate skin repair, and it is very important for the maintenance of healthy skin. You should apply some Vitamin E oil on your skin, preferably when your skin is slightly wet, once or twice per day. If you do not have Vitamin E oil at your home, then you can simply puncture a Vitamin E capsule, and you should use these contents for topical application. Also, there is another option, and that is to mix a few tablespoons of Vitamin E oil in warm bath water, and you should soak in it for twenty to thirty minutes. You should repeat this natural treatment about 3 times a week. [5]
References
[1] Proksch E, Nissen HP, Bremgartner M, Urquhart C. Bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution improves skin barrier function, enhances skin hydration, and reduces inflammation in atopic dry skin. Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2005;44(2):151-7.
[2] Singh R, Goyal S, Ahmed QR, et al. Effect of 82% lactic acid in treatment of melasma. International Scholarly Research Notices. 2014.
[3] Kootiratrakarn T, Kampirapap K, Chunhasewee C. Epidermal permeability barrier in the treatment of keratosis pilaris. Dermatology Research and Practice. 2015;2015:205012.
[4] Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Kazerouni A, Feily A. Oatmeal in dermatology: A brief review. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology. 2012;78(2):142-145.
[5] Milstone LM. Scaly skin and bath pH: Rediscovering baking soda. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2010;62(5):885-886.
[6] Lin T-K, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of
topical application of some plant oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018;19(70).
[7] Huang TH, Wang PW, Yang SC, et al. Cosmetic and therapeutic applications of fish oil’s fatty acids on the skin. Marine Drugs. 2018;16(8).
