Today I wanted to talk about a few products that profoundly changed my life when it came to treating and eliminating Keratosis Pilaris and gave me back my confidence. It seems like a big statement. Can a skincare product truly change your life? However, for those of you who have KP and those familiar with my KP journey, know how uncomfortable and, at times, embarrassing it can be plagued by this condition that seems to never go away.

So, in honor of spring fast approaching, I wanted to share the products that truly helped me treat my KP and transform my rough, dry, bumpy patches into a glass-like baby-soft skin.

What is Keratosis Pilaris:
Keratosis Pilaris, also knows as KP, is a harmless condition that manifests itself in the form of rough, dry patches of skin and tiny skin bumps anywhere on the body, but predominantly on upper arms, thighs, and face. The condition itself is painless, though it may get itchy during cold, dry months.

What causes Keratosis Pilaris:
KP is caused by the buildup of keratin, which is a hard protein that protects our skin. What happens in people with KP is that the body produces extra amounts of this keratin which, in turn, blocks the opening of hair follicles, resulting in bumpy skin. It is unknown why some people produce extra keratin, some sources say it could be a result of inflammation, but in a lot of cases, such as mine, it is something you simply have had all your life. It has also been proven that people with eczema or with dry skin in general are more prone to KP, though that is not a requirement. What ingredients treat Keratosis Pilaris: It may seem that since the condition results in rough, bumpy skin, one can simply exfoliate, and the bumps will go away. Unfortunately, while regular exfoliation can briefly alleviate the issue, it does not actually treat it. To treat KP one needs to first loosen (with help of chemical exfoliants such as AHAs and BHAs), then remove the extra keratin and dead skin cells.

Below are the key ingredients to look for in a KP product:
• Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)
• Beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs)
• Glycolic acid • Lactic acid • Retinoids

My top three products that have helped me keep KP at bay for years:
• DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub for Keratosis Pilaris and Dry, Rough, Bumpy Skin with 10% AHAS + PHAS
• KP Duty Lotion for Dry Rough Bumpy Skin + Keratosis Pilaris with 10% AHAS + PHAS
• Josie Maran Argan Sugar Balm Body Scrub

DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub for Keratosis Pilaris and Dry, Rough, Bumpy Skin with 10% AHAS + PHAS
INSERT PIC This one is a must-have for anyone with KP! It is in my shower at all times and is set up for auto delivery through Dermstore, so I do not ever run out! A little goes a long way, and I find that using it once a week is sufficient to keep any bumps and rough patches at bay.
Recommended for: dry, rough, bumpy skin, keratosis pilaris.

Key Ingredients per DERMAdoctor: • Evening Primrose, Black Currant + Borage Seed Oils – Rich in Linoleic Acid (aka Vitamin F-an essential fatty acid) – help restore the skin barrier and soothe skin sensitivity • AHAs (Glycolic + Lactic Acids) – powerful chemical exfoliants that help reveal smoother, softer, more radiant skin • Gluconolactone – PHA chemically exfoliates, offers anti-aging antioxidant benefits and is a megamoisturizing humectant able to hold four times its weight in water compared to hyaluronic acid • Lactobionic Acid – PHA provides hydrating, gentle chemical exfoliation • Hydrated Silica – used as a gentle yet thorough physical exfoliant • Willow Bark – Natural BHA with a molecular size smaller than AHAs able to more easily penetrate hair follicles and oil glands and chemically exfoliate debris How to apply: Apply once or twice a week, depending on skin sensitivity (I find that once a week is plenty for me, as a little bit goes a long way!) Apply a small amount on DRY skin in the shower, massage then rinse.

TIP: I like to follow this with a Josie Maran Argan Sugar Balm Body Scrub for extra exfoliation, The combination of the two really gives me the glass-like look and eliminates any texture, even on areas prone to KP! Size/Longevity: Product comes in 237ml (8 oz.) and 473ml (16 oz.) containers. I have the 16 oz. size on auto delivery every three months, and it lasts me that long with weekly use.

Ingredients: AQUA (WATER), HYDRATED SILICA, LACTIC ACID, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, STEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, SORBITOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, GLYCOLIC ACID, GLUCONOLACTONE, LACTOBIONIC ACID, SALIX ALBA (WILLOW) BARK EXTRACT, OENOTHERA BIENNIS (EVENING PRIMROSE) OIL, BORAGO OFFICIANALIS (BORAGE) SEED OIL, RIBES NIGRUM (BLACK CURRANT) SEED OIL, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (WHITE TEA) LEAF EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, XANTHAN GUM, CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM LAUROYL METHYL ISETHIONATE, PHENOXYETHANOL Josie Maran Argan Sugar Balm Body Scrub INSERT PIC This scrub is excellent for anyone who is looking for a powerful yet gentle and moisturizing exfoliation. Since the main ingredient of this scrub is Argan oil, famous for its powerful moisturizing qualities, and the texture is finely milled, you get an effective exfoliation combined with powerful moisturizing properties. On days when I am running short on time, I will just use this scrub in the shower and forego any moisturizers, and I can feel my skin nourished even at the end of the day! Recommended for: anyone looking for softer, smoother, brighter skin

Key Ingredients: • Sugar granules – to gently remove dead skin cells • Combination of argan oil, coconut oil, and shea butter – to soften, moisturize, and rejuvenate skin How to apply: Apply as needed. Massage scrub on damp skin in circular motions all over body, concentrating on any rough areas. Rinse and follow with favorite moisturizer (optional).

TIP: To treat KP and in general to get the most glass-like skin, I like to use this after DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub. The combination of the two really gives me the most unbelievably soft, smooth skin with no KP bumps in sight!

Size/Longevity: Product comes in 300ml (10 oz.) and 532ml (18 oz.) containers. 18 oz. container lasts me about 3 to 4 m

onths with weekly use.

Ingredients: GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL**, SUCROSE**, BUTYROSPERUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER**, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL**, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL**, SILICA, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE) LEAF EXTRACT*, ANTHEMIS NOBILIS (CHAMOMILE) FLOWER EXTRACT*, ARGANIA SPINOSA (ARGAN) KERNEL OIL*, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, BENZOPHENONE-3, BORAGO OFFICINALIS (BORAGE) SEED OIL**, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT*, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, LAURETH-4, LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL**, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA (MACADAMIA) SEED OIL**, PANAX GINSENG (GINSENG) ROOT EXTRACT*, PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) KERNEL OIL**, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL**, STEARETH-20, TOCOPHEROL, WATER (AQUA)**, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM)**.

KP Duty Lotion for Dry Rough Bumpy Skin + Keratosis Pilaris with 10% AHAS + PHAS
INSERT PIC This lotion has been a powerful addition to my KP routine and, much like the DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub, is on auto delivery so I never run out! I found that the best way to use this is at night, when your skin really has time to absorb all the exfoliating and nourishing ingredients and give you a smooth bump-free skin in the morning. Also, seems like using KP Duty Lotion every other day, along with the weekly scrub session, has been sufficient to treat all the KP related issues and prevent them from reappearing. But I would recommend trying for yourself to see which schedule and frequency fits your skincare needs the most!

Recommended for:
anyone looking for softer, smoother, brighter skin Key Ingredients per DERMAdoctor: • Glycolic + Lactic Acids – Powerful AHAs that work as chemical exfoliants to reveal smoother, softer, more radiant skin • Ceramides – Work to prevent excessive water loss due to evaporation and maintain a healthy skin barrier. • Urea – draws moisture from the air to hydrate skin • Gluconolactone – PHA chemically exfoliates, offers anti-aging antioxidant benefits and is a mega-moisturizing humectant able to hold four times its weight in water compared to hyaluronic acid • Lactobionic Acid – PHA provides hydrating, gentle chemical exfoliation • Squalane – hydrating complex • Cupuacu Seed Butter – packed with essential fatty acids to protect and moisturize skin and polyphenols to combat free radical damage • Anti-Redness Complex – Composed of White Tea, Licorice, Boswellia Serrata + Superoxide Dismutase – works to minimize the appearance of redness at the base of affected hair follicles, erasing “polka dot” skin. • Willow Bark – Natural BHA with a molecular size smaller than AHAs able to more easily penetrate hair follicles and oil glands and chemically exfoliate debris.

How to apply:
Apply twice daily or as needed. Massage a small amount on clean dry skin. Follow with SPF!

Size/Longevity: Product comes in 237ml (8 oz.) container.

Ingredients:
AQUA (WATER), C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, UREA, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, LACTIC ACID, SORBITOL, SORBITAN STEARATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, GLYCOLIC ACID, GLUCONOLACTONE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, LACTOBIONIC ACID, SALIX ALBA (WILLOW) BARK EXTRACT, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE NS, CERAMIDE EOS, CERAMIDE EOP, CERAMIDE AP, SPHINGOSINE, CAPROOYL PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, THEOBROMA GRANDIFLORUM (CUPUACU) SEED BUTTER, CHOLESTEROL, SQUALENE, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (WHITE TEA) LEAF EXTRACT, GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT, BOSWELLIA SERRATA (INDIAN FRANKINCENSE) GUM EXTRACT, SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE, TOCOPHEROL, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, GLYCERIN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, XANTHAN GUM, POLYSORBATE 60, HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/ SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, SODIUM CHLORIDE, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, CETEARETH-25, CETYL ALCOHOL, BEHENIC ACID, PHENOXYETHANOL