Keratosis Pilaris Remedies

Exfoliate Daily

Posted by H-town Kr (Houston, Texas) on 04/25/2012
★★★★★

A better remedy to get rid of the bumps and to not deal with the smell of ACV is to exfoliate everyday. Get a natural loofah and buy an exfoliating gel or liquid soap (one that has oatmeal or walnut bits in it) and exfoliate in the shower daily. You will need to scrub well and it will be a bit rough on your skin. Apply non scented lotion afterward to soothe your skin. If you do this daily, your KR will improve. It will take at least a month to notice the difference but it really works. I've had KR for over 20 years.

Detoxification

Posted by Renee (Chicago, Il) on 08/20/2011
★★★★★

I'm of fair complexion with dry, sensitive skin so have suffered with keratoses pilaris, eczema, cracked skin on hands during winter and various rashes at different times in my life. I've found that when my diet is clean (free from foods and beverages high in fat, additives and preservatives) my skin tends to be clear also. I supplement my diet with a probiotic in capsule form daily, which also seems to help prevent colds and gastro-intestinal maladies by boosting the immune system through balance of the intestinal flora and keeping yeast (fungus) in check. I also use ginger, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, garlic and onion regularly in my cooking.

When I was in my twenties, I went for a series of 11 colonics over ten weeks. I was amazed that the keratosis pilaris on my buttocks had completely disappeared and my skin, as smooth as silk. It was clear that the detoxification of my system through the colonic regimen had created the desired effect. Hope this helps!

Castile or Goat Milk Soap

Posted by Lisa (Columbus, Oh) on 04/22/2010
★★★★★

For Keratosis Pilaris I have discovered that washing with castile soaps with a loofa works wonderfully. I've been using this soap for a few months now and the bumps on my arms almost gone. I have also used soaps made with goat's milk and they work very well also, but for me the castile soaps seem to work a little better. Rinsing in a little bit of cooler temperature water also seems to help.

Fish Oil Supplements

Posted by Sarah (Mableton, Ga) on 10/28/2009
★★★★☆

keratosis pilaris

I have had "chicken skin" since I was pre-adolescent and thought it would be a lifelong ailment. I started reading about the benefits of fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids and began incorporating omega-3 fish oil supplements into my diet for general health reasons. To my astonishment, my KP cleared up within 3 weeks! The redness and bumpiness were simply gone. I later quit taking the supplements (sheer forgetfulness) and noticed that my arms felt bumpy again, but it's still not red and inflamed and itchy like it used to be. It's a good reason/reminder to get me back taking the supplements, anyway. The softgels I used were 1000 mg cold water fish oil and I took one per day.

Fish Oil Supplements

Posted by Am (Jackson Hole, Wy) on 01/13/2012

In Response to Dm from Princeton's comment about laundry detergent. Over the past ten years, I've heard during visits to 3 dermatologists that laundry detergents might be a culprit in the cause of KP. For 7 or so years, I've used only the "free and clear" versions of laundry detergents & fabric softener/dryer sheets without added dyes of frangrances and have seen no relief if my KP. If KP is caused by laundry detergent, then perhaps it's a more essential ingredient of detergent that causes it that still remains in the "skin friendly" laundry detergents.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mommy Of E (Three Rivers, Mi) on 08/16/2012

My daughter is 14 months old and started developing these bumps that her pediatrician diagnosed as Keratosis Pilaris when she was around 7.5 months old. Now it covers her legs, is on her arms, and lightly on her cheeks. I switched her to a paraben free bath soap and at first I was trying an ezcema lotion, which had some success in keeping it at bay. Then my sister read that it was possibly an omega 3 deficiency so I stopped the ezcema lotion and we tried an omega 3 infant vitamin. No success there. It actually just continued to get worse. We then tried a calamine cortizone cream because my sister said it helped her skin. Still no luck, but that one was just a test, as I didn't figure it would help since it dries the skin instead of moisturizing.

We are now on day 5 of coconut oil. I wasn't sure about application, and I don't give her daily baths, so I either apply it when she gets out of the bath or before bed. So far it doesn't seem to be working, but I'll keep at it for a few weeks to see. If it doesn't help then I was going to try the AV. My only concern is how to apply that to her when she is in the bath. Should I put it on and rinse her off right before she is about to get out? Then put the coconut oil on? And does this have to be done daily? Because daily baths are honestly a pain and I figured they'd just dry her skin more. But if I have to start giving her daily baths to rid her of this then I will.

I also just wanted to say that, for her at least, there's not a possibility that she has this due to anxiety or stress as she is just a baby, nor is it caused by laundry detergant. No, we haven't switched detergants, but all summer long she has been in a onsie or sundress, shorts and T shirt, and her trunk does not have KP at all. It is her arms and legs and cheeks, which are not subject to clothing with detergant chemicals on it that have KP. And it has just continued to get worse over the summer, even though some say it goes away/gets better in the summer.

I hope you all find what works best and that I can figure out what works for my little girl!

Witch Hazel

Posted by Renae (Pottsville , Pa) on 11/01/2011

My daughter has KP too... We've been to the derm so many times to be told she has to just live with this. I've done research and found these remedies on my own. African Black Soap to detoxify her skin. This is a "wonderful" product for any skin blemishes. It even is great for moms with crows feet!! I use it every time I shower!!! Then we use Neem Oil, which is stinky, so we only apply it once on the weekends for 30 minutes to her arms. We have seen a GREAT improvement after 2 years of seeing NOTHING help.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Veronica (Las Vegas, Nv) on 09/21/2009

I have used coconut oil on my skin for years. I have eczema and C.O. helps moisturize and prevents infection because of it's antibacterial/antifungal properties.

My best cure for eczema is to avoid allergy foods and take Evening Primrose Oil, 3000-6000mg a day. Plus, I expose the rash to 15-30 minutes of direct sunlight each day. The sunlight must be in the morning between 7:30-10:30 am. The healing rays are strongest at that time and the harmful UV rays are minimal. (tanning booths work too.) This may sound like an odd treatment, but the sunlight prescription was the best advise a natural doctor ever gave to me. The sunlight will heal my eczema in two days with the E.P.O.!

The sunlight will also help with yeast/fungus/tinitus rashes too, because yeast is a fungus that grows in the dark and hates sunlight. If the rash diminishes but still persists you are probably dealing with yeast. Start using Lotramin AF daily. If it starts to go away, you ARE dealing with yeast/fungus for sure. You must use the Lotramin AF consistantly without a break until the stubborn fungus is gone - it might take two weeks. (Be careful not to cross contaminate your other oils/creams after you touch a yeast infection. Wash your hands thouroughly.)

happy healing!

Coconut Oil

Posted by Brian (Barrie, Ont Canada) on 06/01/2011

Dr Hulda Clarke in her books, notes that most skin afflications are parasite based. Im wondering if Black walnut tincture would help, it can be bought or made, if you would like Dr Clarkes amazing book I will email freely to anyone. Another good rememdy for skin afflictions is Ozonated Olive Oil. Best of Health and Luck to all who reside here!!!!!!!

Brian

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Elaine (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) on 07/05/2007
★★★★★

I have Keratosis Pilaris and I have read on how ACV can help this condition I have. I have tried oil pulling with sunflower oil for the last 3 months but I dont see much improvement with my keratosis condition. However, having tried applying ACV on my skin for only the last 3 days I can see improvements already! However, I need to know what is the RIGHT way of consuming ACV for health benefits, be it for skin conditions or even for weight loss. There seems to be too many methods of consuming ACV here, so Im kinda confused :( Thanks!

Dietary Changes

Posted by Ruralady (Illinois) on 08/24/2024 90 posts

There is so much non dairy out there now and you can get low or no sugar. I've been using it since I got fibromyalgia, we can't have dairy so thank goodness there is now a choice. Today my spouse picked up some plant based whipping cream so now I can have ice cream, sweetened with honey of course.

L-Lysine

Posted by Bel (Melbourne, Australia) on 10/29/2017

What was the dosage of the lysine?

Grape Seed Oil

Posted by Indigo (California) on 03/31/2015

Thanks so much for sharing. I will give it a try for 2 weeks and post back with results. I've had KP since early childhood and it might be about 50% better now (mid thirties). I've learned how to "manage" it.... But still searching for a cure. Here's what I've found that work best for me:
- Exfoliation with korean italy towel after soaking in bath (mag chloride or epsom salt added). - Clean eating. Extra veggies. - Intestinal cleansing. - Moisturize: emu oil, vitamin E oil, Goldbond Rough and Bumpy lotion, Sesame oil. Varies day to day... - Just started taking Micellized vitamin A a few weeks ago. Skin does seem better, but not sure how much it's really helping. (Take with other fat soluable vitamins - A, D, E, K - to maintain balance). Also take a good vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure no deficiencies. - Salicylic acid (crushed aspirin works), alpha hyroxu acids, and borax used as a scrub help smooth bumps and unclog pores. I plan on doing a full cleansing protocol developed by Bill Thompson (see his book on this site for more detail) which includes turpentine. I also am currently taking zeolites to rid heavy metals ans other toxins. Lastly, I plan to test for all food intolerances. If I have improvement with KP after completing those things, I will post again to share my results. And I look forward to any updates from you and others as well!

Grape Seed Oil

Posted by Deanna (Wisconsin) on 04/20/2016

Thank you for the info. I will try this on myself and my 2 yr old who has this terribly on his face and arms and a little on his legs! I feel terrible that this is hereditary and he has it much worse than me!

Grape Seed Oil

Posted by Susan (Chicago, Il ) on 02/20/2018

Hi I came across your post about your 2 yr old child having KP. Did any of the remedies work for you??

L-Lysine

Posted by Nicole (Melbourne ) on 07/01/2014

Hi everyone. I heard that L-lysine has worked wonders for people with rosacea but it has protein in it so can that make your Keratosis Pilaris worse?

I have both these skin conditions and I was wondering if anyone has tried L-lysine and found that it made their kp better or worse? I would really like to try it for my rosacea. Please help. Thank you in advance :)

L-Lysine and Vitamin C

Posted by Nicole (Australia) on 06/29/2014

Hi there. I have both rosacea and kp. I've heard a lot about vitamin c and l-lysine being a natural remedy for rosacea. I was wondering if it would work the same for keratosis pilaris or can it make it worse. I would like to try this remedy, but I'm scared it will make my kp worse. Please get back to me if you have an answer. Thank you in advance :)

L-Lysine and Vitamin C

Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 06/30/2014

Nicole, I don't see how L-Lysine and Vitamin C could make anything worse unless you overdo it!

L-Lysine and Vitamin C

Posted by Nicole (Melbourne) on 07/13/2014

I heard it could make it worse because it has keratin in it and too much keratin is what causes KP. I asked the pharmacist and she said l-lysine is only for cold sores and nothing else and since I don't have cold sores I might not try it. Thanks anyway :)

Vitamin K

Posted by Nicole (Australia) on 03/20/2014

Hi there, I have keratosis pilaris all over my arms and legs. I was wondering if anyone tried vitamin K and got any good results. I was trying msm sulphur and I did notice my kp clearing up, however it was making me vomit so I've stopped it now. Coconut oil has worked great but I want to know if Vitamin K is worth a try. Thank you

MSM

Posted by Nicole (Melbourne Australia) on 11/13/2013

Hi everyone, I have heard about msm sulphur being a treatment for rosacea so does anyone know if it can do that same for keratosis pilaris (kp)? If Ted or anyone could give me an answer that would be great because I have heard some people found there kp got better but some people have gotten worse and I have rosacea and would like to take this supplement to treat my rosacea but I'm worried it will make my kp worse. Thanks for all your help.

MSM

Posted by Kathy (LA, US) on 07/13/2014
★★★★☆

Hello..A few weeks ago I started "washing" my face with coconut oil and a few drops of lavender and amazingly enough my rosacea is clearing up, about 50 % better! I use this mix to remove my make up. I premix about 2 Tablespoon of Coconut oil with 5 drops of lavender. I leave this mixture in the bathroom and use a small amount on my face every night. I wash it off with a hot wash clothe. Then I add a bit more of the mix to the red patches.

Coconut Milk

Posted by Nicole (Melbourne Australia) on 09/29/2013

Hi everyone, I've been doing a lot f research on the internet and found a few people saying they either switched their milk to coconut milk or used coconut milk soap and their Keratosis Pilaris (kp) has reduced by about 90% or completely gone. I've had kp for a long time and I've always had trouble drinking milk. I find it too heavy for my stomach but I am going to try coconut milk and I will let you know how I go. I apply coconut oil on my skin after I shower and that seems to help me a lot but there still is a lot of kp left and I want to find a way to get rid of it completely. I hope some of you will help me try this remedy and see if it works, wish me luck :)

Vitamin C

Posted by Redcairo (Miami, Ok, USA) on 07/14/2013
★★★★★

I began making my own Lipospheric Vitamin C a few weeks ago. This is a special form that combines distilled water, non-gmo sunflower (<-- preferably) or soy lecithin (either liquid or powder/crystals), and Ascorbic Acid. Managing the temperature, a blender, and an ultrasonic machine results in a) lipospherically-encapsulated ascorbic acid, and b) <200nm sized spheres that the body will deliver directly to tissues for use as a phospholipid in nerve coverings and cell membranes (which puts the AA directly into the body tissues where the lipid is used).

My [note: free no-ads personal] blog has a few pages on how-to and details on Lipospheric-C here. [EC: please delete if desired, and if inappropriate to link I apologize.]

You can buy lipo-C, and it is much more 'efficiently' encapsulated in that case, though it usually contains 'stabilizers', but it's very expensive if you need to take it in quantity, and it doesn't have nearly as much lecithin, which may be the key player in this remedy. For a fraction the cost you can make it yourself and the health benefits are widespread.

I took about half a small batch a day for about two weeks. For detail, a whole small batch is about 1. 5 cups, or ~375g water + 15g AA and 45g lecithin. If made properly, this comes to around 11. 25g encapsulated AA, 3. 75 non-encapsulated AA, and the 45g of lecithin. So half a batch is half that.

For probably 20 years I've had the "massive red bumps" all over the back of my arms. So long I can't remember when I haven't. And I've had periods where my diet was very high in good fats (omega3 supplements, coconut oil, etc. ) but nothing ever touched them, although I admit I was never trying to do so. My teenager has often remarked on this because it's so extensive.

After 2 weeks (or less) of taking this stuff, my teenager was "agog" and raved about how the back of my arms suddenly had NO red bumps anymore at all. I had noticed my upper arms seemed much 'smoother' but thought I was imagining it, since my forearms were still dry and bumpy. I have a ~ two inch strip on the sort of top/outside of the arm that still has red dots but no bumps anymore, so I think that is still in healing process.

I had never considered this as a potential cure for KP (I always think of Lipo-C as being the C, but the lecithin is a huge part of it too). For more on lecithin (no research refs, just an overview), see Lecithin notes.

As an aside, the Lipo-C has made staggering changes in my sense of body-competence -- some effect that is not strength or energy yet sort of operates as both a little -- and my sense of well-being, elevation and stability of mood and patience, and more. My teen actually tried to give me her own money to buy a bigger machine to make and take more of the stuff, she says it so clearly affects my 'activity and happiness.' I can't say enough good things about the stuff. KP healing up is just one surprise benefit but probably the most trivial!

Vitamin C

Posted by Bess (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 07/14/2013

Hi Redcairo from Miami, Ok, USA - Thank you so much for the link to your blog and details of making Lipospheric Vitamin C. I've had sunflower lecithin for ages but hadn't bought an ultrasonic machine. I actually forgot about making it. Then, after reading your post on Earth Clinic, it prompted me to order one and start making my own Lipo-C. I look forward to positive things! Thanks again and best wishes for continued good health. Cheers, Bess

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Tms (Stone Wall, Never Land ) on 06/12/2013
0 out of 5 stars

Yesterday I read about putting ACV on your arms for Keratosis Pilaris. So last night I mixed up some ACV and water, exfoliated my arms well and then put it on. It burned my arms, and just made them more red. I have a moderate/severe case of it, and I really want it to go away. Is the burning/initial redness normal? I know I've only done it once, but I'm wondering if it will eventually help. I'm also drinking an ACV/baking soda/water mix. I want to wear a dress in 2 days and I need my arms to look better. HELP! PLEASE!

Sonic Face Cleaning Brush

Posted by Nadia (Teaneck, Nj) on 01/22/2013
★★★★☆

My 7yr old son has KP, and my mom gave me a ___ [sonic face cleansing brush] for his skin. It really helps smooth down the bumps (I do this once a week). I follow this up with Amlactin every night, and this helps his face. But I constantly need to do this or else the KP will be very bad in a few days.

Sonic Face Cleaning Brush

Posted by Nicole (Melbourne, Australia) on 01/23/2013

Hi Nadia, I too have kp and have had it since the age of 4 and I have found that organic cold pressed virgin coconut oil really helps with the redness and the bumbs. I apply it after I have a shower once a day but I think the more times a day you apply it the better.

I haven't tried this but maybe also use the coconut oil for all your cooking maybe if he ingests it as well it may help.

I also use goats milk soap instead of the supermarket soaps and if you get it organic I believe it will work much better, best of luck with everything.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Nicole (Melbourne, Australia) on 01/17/2013
★★★★★

Hi everyone, I have suffered from KP since the age of 4 that's as far as I can remember, I had it all over my legs and for the past year I got it on my arms. I have now been applying organic extra virgin coconut oil cold pressed on my arms and legs everyday for the past 3 months and I have noticed a big difference. The red dots have gone especially on my arms I would say about 90% gone but I still have the bumps both on my arms and legs, there is an improvement but maybe I need to keep using it or maybe even ingesting it might help me more but I thought I would put it out there and I will write back in a couple of months and let you know if it's gone completely or not. I also use goat's milk soap and apply the coconut oil after my shower before bed.

Thank you earth clinic for all your help and good luck to everyone.

Gentle Sanding

Posted by Jennifer (Detroit, Mi) on 02/23/2012
★★★★☆

I am going to try Apple Cider Vinegar and coconut oil on my daughters who both have bad cases of KP. We have been using a foot sander to gently exfoliate their arms and legs once a week. This very cheap method is the only thing I have found that actually gives them smooth skin. They cost about $2 at any drugstore. It does not take away the red spots. It does help them feel better about the texture of their skin. I highly recommend for those with a heavy case. I have used KP Duty and other creams from our dermatologist but gentle sanding is the only thing that has actually helped us.