Exfoliating

Keratosis pilaris is a skin condition I have dealt with on and off over the last few years, and unfortunately, the time has come (yet) again. The good news is that I have narrowed down a routine that has been helping me clear it over the last few weeks. I wanted to share what I’ve been doing and using to help clear it up in hopes that it helps anyone looking for an effective solution to KP.

You may be wondering, what exactly is Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris (also referred to as “chicken skin”) is a common, harmless skin condition that causes tiny, rough bumps, often on the arms and legs. It happens when keratin, a protein that protects the skin, builds up and blocks hair follicles. It’s more noticeable in dry weather and can be managed with moisturizing and gentle exfoliation. Skin also tends to feel rough and is prone to redness.

Having just come out of the colder months, mixed with multiple laser hair removal sessions over the last year, my skin has taken a bit of a beating. I vowed to get to the bottom of it now that summer is approaching by being more diligent with my body care routine. The best part? It is budget-friendly!

Here are the steps I’ve been taking to bring my skin back to a smooth and healthy state:

First, I’ve been alternating between physical and chemical exfoliants in the shower. I’m currently using up the ones I have, including the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub and the Naturium Smoother Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash. The mechanical action of the sugar scrub helps slough off dead skin cells and polishes the skin underneath. Since it is rougher on the skin, I used this twice a week. On the other days, I prefer the Exfoliating Body Wash, and the Naturium one is a personal favourite with 5% glycolic acid. I also like that it is gentle on the skin and fragrance-free.

Since my skin has been extra stubborn this time, I also layer more exfoliating products once I’ve patted my skin dry out of the shower. I’ve been alternating between a few different products with different types and concentrations of acids:

I started with the Skin Proud Detox Daily Exfoliating Tonic* to get my skin accustomed to daily exfoliation. This product contains 5% glycolic acid and 5% lactic acid. Lactic acid is gentler and better for dry or sensitive skin, while glycolic acid can be stronger and penetrate deeper. Having both together in the same formula has worked well for my skin for the first couple of weeks.

Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating and Brightening Toner

Another option that works well for beginning exfoliation without over-irritating the skin is the Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating and Brightening Toner*. I had been using it for years on my face, and when I was looking through my collection, it clicked: why not try it on my KP-prone areas? I’ve been applying it directly to my skin and letting it soak in before moving on to the next step.

For a more heavy-duty option, I’ve been reaching for the Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel AHA Exfoliating Solution, which contains 15% glycolic, phytic, malic, mandelic and lactic acids with enzymes to help boost skin renewal. This one has been the most effective one for me, but I definitely had to build my way up for my skin to tolerate it, as it is a much stronger concentration. I like how user-friendly it is with the bottle that gets the product out quickly in just a few shakes.

To lock in the above products, I’ve been using the Alpha Skincare Renewal Body Lotion* with 12% glycolic acid. Despite its higher AHA content, my skin tolerates it quite well. It is a slightly thicker lotion, however, it is easy to spread in a few strokes. I also like how soft it leaves my skin and how it improves its texture, and that it is fragrance-free.

Using a combination of the above products for the past month, my skin is finally on the road to recovery! I’m so happy to have found these to help speed up the healing of my textured skin.

Do you deal with keratosis pilaris? If so, which products have you had success with?

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*Product was provided for review consideration. Some affiliate links provided.

We get through a lot of coffee in our household; both Charlie and I adore coffee, and as you may know, we each have our own coffee machine! I recently upgraded my coffee machine to the wonderful Ninja Luxe Cafe, which is a well-priced bean-to-cup coffee machine that makes delicious coffee. I’ve got into a good habit of using our discarded coffee grounds in the garden in autumn and winter; the grounds are full of nutrients and therefore can improve the nutrition of your soil. However, it’s not advised to add coffee grounds to your soil during spring, as it can be a bit intense for your young shoots.

This led me to think of another way to use my discarded grounds (waste not, want not!); by creating an exfoliating coffee scrub! Coffee grounds have the perfect texture to gently exfoliate the skin, plus they are rich in antioxidants which can help protect the skin from damage. Read on for my coffee scrub recipe, which can be used on your hands, body and face!

Ingredients

Medium sized jar

150g coffee grounds

75g coconut oil

75g brown sugar

10 drops of an essential oil (I used lime & lemongrass)

Method

Spread your coffee grounds out in a tray and leave them somewhere to dry out for at least 30 minutes, such as in the sun or on top of a radiator.

Add the coconut oil to your glass jar and either microwave it for 30s or place in the oven (set to 100C) for around 5 minutes until the coconut oil has totally melted.

Remove the jar from the oven and add in 10 drops of your essential oil, your coffee grounds and the sugar then stir.

The texture of your scrub should resemble wet sand.

Use your scrub liberally on your face, body and hands when you’re in need of exfoliation!

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Treating My Keratosis Pilaris: My Exfoliating Body Routine

My Super Easy Exfoliating Coffee Scrub Recipe

Ingredients

Method