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Fellow keratosis pilaris sufferers/ dermatologists/ beauty experts, I need your expert advice!

48 replies

Sakuratu · 29/04/2020 11:44

Hi ladies,

I suffer from keratosis pilaris (KP) and have just decided to start tackling it seriously. So I ordered the following:

  • Revitale Salicylic Acid Scrub Soap
(www. class="break-all" href="https://amazon.co.uk/Revitale-Salicylic-Exfoliating-Softening-Anti-Blemish/dp/B06XW6GCD6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=revitale&qid=1588156332&sr=8-1%29&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-style-and-beauty-3894440-Fellow-keratosis-pilaris-sufferers-dermatologists-beauty-experts-I-need-your-expert-advice" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">amazon.co.uk/Revitale-Salicylic-Exfoliating-Softening-Anti-Blemish/dp/B06XW6GCD6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=revitale&qid=1588156332&sr=8-1)
  • CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream
(www. class="break-all" href="https://amazon.co.uk/CeraVe-Smoothing-Moisturising-Cream-177ml/dp/B07WL7WV52/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=cerave%20smoothing&qid=1588156251&sr=8-1%29&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-style-and-beauty-3894440-Fellow-keratosis-pilaris-sufferers-dermatologists-beauty-experts-I-need-your-expert-advice" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">amazon.co.uk/CeraVe-Smoothing-Moisturising-Cream-177ml/dp/B07WL7WV52/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=cerave+smoothing&qid=1588156251&sr=8-1)

*Which soap should I start using first? Also, which essential oil would it be safe to add to my shower gel while also using the other products?

*DD (6) suffers from mild KP. Any advice regarding how to tackle hers too please?

Any tips/ recommendations are gratefully received.

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
seekingwaxwings · 30/04/2020 12:40

Tabithha it sounds like we follow a similar skincare routine! Smile

Sakuratu I've tried the palmer's anti ageing cream you mention and wasn't impressed. I think the most important thing about moisturising with kp is that you do it liberally and often, and that cream - and all the other kp creams I've tried- is relatively expensive and very thick and hard to spread. It comes in a pump bottle if I recall, which leaves a lot of the product unreachable at the bottom. I find it's better to use a cheaper cream that's neither too thick or too thin and smells nice and comes in a tub where you can easily judge how much you're using and none is wasted.

Tabithha · 30/04/2020 13:39

@Sakuratu no problem at all I don’t mind! Happy to help 😊 I’d avoid using the bar soap on your face as it might be too stripping. Cerave has a salicylic acid cleanser so I’d try that. I use it every other day and I really like it. Cocoa butter is fine to use and very moisturising so I’d stick with that. Also I believe paulas choice have a bha/ salicylic toner. If you’re using acids on your face it’s important to only use every other day/week. If you strip too much your face will produce more oil. Consistent moisturising and spf is essential. Cosrx have a really good spf if you’re looking for one. I also really like the ordinary squalane serum for moisture. If you have sensitive skin then cetaphil lotion is great and the face theory ceramide cream is great for the evenings if you’re looking for something a tad richer. Happy to answer any other questions you might have
@seekingwaxwings ooh nice! Any holy grail products you’d recommend? 😊

seekingwaxwings · 30/04/2020 13:55

Tabithha I only meant that we both recommend the Superdrug vitamin e creams and cheap exfoliating gloves, that's about as far as my routine goes! Dove soap, a flannel and Aldi caviar cream is about it for me. Smile

Tabithha · 30/04/2020 14:22

@seekingwaxwings oh haha sorry! I’ll keep an eye out for the Aldi cream when I’m next there Smile

Sakuratu · 02/05/2020 11:43

@Tabithha sorry for not posting earlier, my toddler has been a bit unwell. Thanks so much for your nice response. I won't be using any of the two soaps after all as they contain animal products. A waste of money. I don't know how it skipped my mind to check if it was vegan, or at least vegetarian. My only excuse is that I am not used to buying soap.
@seekingwaxwings thanks for the response!

@Everyone
I admire your patience and perseverance at using all those different products regularly with the alternating etc. May I ask how long does it take for you in a typical day to do your morning/evening routine? I don't use anything on my face most of the days and I feel proud if I manage to put on a moisturising cream on. I wasn't negligent to this point before kids but never anything regimented. Now my morning/ evening routine consists in brushing my teeth and washing my face sad Sad I know. I want to change but to something manageable. What should I aim for?

On a different note, I have wheatgerm, grapeseed and almond oil bottles. What can I use them for?

Thanks!

OP posts:
MissingEsme · 02/05/2020 12:23

Hi. You should use products containing glycolic acid as this exfoliates the skin. A good one is Neostrata Lotion Plus applied twice a day. A friend of mine has used this and found it brilliant. She used Cerave moisturiser in the tub twice a day when the lotion had dried in.

Sakuratu · 03/05/2020 13:29

@MissingEsme thanks for the suggestion! I looked it up and they say it is "for experienced Alpha Hydroxy Acid users" which I'm not. The reviews are good though and I'm sure it's a nice product.

OP posts:
Sakuratu · 03/05/2020 13:31

Also, what do you mean by using Cerave moisturiser in the tub? do you mean while taking a shower?

OP posts:
travailtotravel · 03/05/2020 20:58

Clearing up my KP has been soap ( any old but mine is always veggie or vegan), sunlight and selenium/zinc. I rarely moisturise but realise I should. When I do it's something cheap as chips but Nivea in the white tub is a bit good.

Sakuratu · 08/05/2020 15:16

@travailtotravel thanks for your input! So switching to soap proved effective in clearing your KP? How long after starting using soap did you notice a difference? What about selenium/ zinc, did you take supplements?

OP posts:
morelikeaclubsandwich · 08/05/2020 15:25

No scrubs, just any moisturiser you like with some salicylic acid in it and eat oily fish

greymalkin71 · 08/05/2020 20:01

Ameliorate works but you need to be really careful in the sun if you’ve used it as I found out last year so am not using it again. Sunlight is definitely best for KP, ideally mixed with sand and sea water!! I’m trying castor oil this year on slim evidence but I reckon worth a try.

travailtotravel · 08/05/2020 21:19

@Sakuratu - supplements, yes. And probably a month.

Gwenhwyfar · 09/05/2020 12:37

I have this and it gets worse rather than better as I age. The only thing that helps a bit is very rich moisturisers and not necessarily ones designed for KP.
Going gluten AND dairy free is very extreme. I think I'd find just one of those very difficult.

Gwenhwyfar · 09/05/2020 12:55

I should add that cod liver oil and Omega 3 supplements do nothing to help mine.
I do have a tube of retirides (tretinoin) and I might try some on my legs.

Pandsbear · 09/05/2020 18:50

I have (well did have) KP and spent many many years scrubbing and moisturising - some of which helped to be fair. What seemed to get rid of it was taking flaxseed oil capsules (1000mg twice per day). This was recommended by my ophthalmologist for my eyes - made no difference to my eyes as far as I can tell but i had to continue as I see the ophthalmologist every 3 months or so. I realised that after about 6-9 months I had smooth skin. Can’t promise that is the miracle cure but it coincided with the only change I can think of. It isn’t a quick fix and it took at least 6 months to feel the change,, My arms , legs etc are super smooth now. Been taking the flaxseed for about 7 years.

travailtotravel · 09/05/2020 18:59

Ooh that's true. I do flaxseed as well - I just shove it in my porridge!

Sakuratu · 11/05/2020 20:00

Hi all and thanks very much for all your suggestions!
I am taking Omega 3 for general health but they seem to do nothing for KP. Is Omega 3 specifically from flaxseed oil better?
@Gwenhwyfar same here, I didn't have kp at all until my twenties :(

OP posts:
Alwaysthesun · 06/07/2020 19:28

I realise this is a older thread, but I wanted to add something natural that I found makes a massive difference to my KP arms - coconut oil! I think it's a mixture of the moisturising and anti bacterial qualities it has. You have to go easy or you look like a grease slick though!! I often use it before end or when it's bad in the day. You have to be careful in the sun though as it acts the same way as oil on your skin - enhancing the burn!!!!

I've had it all my life and my daughter does too. Interestingly, I am totally intolerant to gluten and dairy and giving those up also improved it.

My arms are scarred after 46 (I couldn't remember my age then and had to think for a while!) years of having it, so they will never look totally clear. They feel a lot smoother these days though. I also find that over the last 5 years it's moved down to my lower arms and the backs of my thighs also.

I was sent to a dermatologist once in my late teens and they said I had localised acne and sent me on my way with no products or advice, but this was many years ago. I didn't have acne anywhere on my body and still don't, so they were talking utter rubbish. Shocking to think that back then dermatologists didn't seem to recognise the condition - or that was my experience at least.

Sakuratu · 16/07/2020 19:09

Hi @Alwaysthesun! Thanks so much for your advice about coconut oil! It's a really good idea.

Until last year when my DD was diagnosed with KP, I always thought I had localised acne too!

Thanks for sharing!

OP posts:
cosmopolitanplease · 20/07/2020 10:08

I tried coconut oil for about six months without success, in fact I went back to regular moisturiser because my skin became very dry. It's funny how one thing doesn't work for everyone- keeping my kp has been a matter of trial and error and experimentation all my life. Sad

At the moment I'm getting good results with neutrogena hydro boost gel and scrubbing with salt on damp skin. The neutrogena is reasonably priced and leaves my skin feeling moisturised all day, I really like it.

cosmopolitanplease · 20/07/2020 10:10

That should read 'keeping my kp controlled', I don't want to keep my kp. Smile

Bioprepper · 20/07/2020 12:50

Think ive tried everything for mine with little success. I have it quite badly on my thighs and mild on my lower legs. I am gluten and dairy free anyway and that doesn't help. The best thing i've found to minimise it a bit is to moisturise with just a simple cheap moisturiser and pumice stone the crap out of them in the bath.

There was a loreal anti cellulite cream a few years back that did wonders but they don't sell it anymore as far as i know.

Worst thing for them is being cold, not moisturising and those mitt things (waste of money). Ive just learned to live with it :(

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