Best products for bumpy skin on face

What we’re looking for

Price

Skin-care products can run the gamut price-wise, so we’ve noted how much you’re getting and broken it down as cost per ounce.

CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough and Bumpy Skin

$17

Ingredients: Salicylic acid, ceramides, vitamin D | Price: 8 ounces (Approx. $2/ounce)

According to dermatologist Dr. Ainah Tan, incorporating a moisturizing cream or lotion with a gentle acid into your regimen is a great first step. Acids exfoliate the keratin buildup and dead skin cells that accumulate in the pores, reducing the appearance of bumps, while the emollients go to work on the rough, dry patches. She recommends CeraVe’s Renewing SA lotion, which contains a blend of both lactic and salicylic acids. Dermatologist Dr. Camille Howard, the founder of hair-care line Girl+Hair, also recommends SA lotion, adding that the formula’s niacinamide is anti-inflammatory and will help smooth rough bumps. Dr. Karan Lal, director of cosmetic and pediatric dermatology at Affiliated Dermatology tends to recommend for children with keratosis pilaris. “It is moisturizing but also great for exfoliating those stubborn KP bumps.”

$17 at Walmart

Buy

$17 at Target

Buy

AmLactin Ultra Smoothing Intensely Hydrating Cream

$16

Ingredients: Lactic acid | Price: 5 ounces (Approx. $2/ounce)

Two of our experts were also fans of AmLactin’s Ultra Smoothing body lotion, which Dr. Michelle Henry of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan calls a “long-loved and long-recommended” option that is formulated with lactic acid. Tan also recommends AmLactin and offers some application tips: Use creams at least once a day. And apply them within five minutes of showering, while the skin is still damp, to lock in that moisture.

$16 at Amazon

Buy

$16 at Target

Buy

Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA

$29

Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Price: 7 ounces (Approx. $4/ounce)

Howard loves Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment, which was designed specifically for KP-prone skin. The lightweight cream contains 2 percent salicylic acid, which will help soften the hardened little keratin plugs over time.

$29 at Amazon

Buy

$29 at Paula's Choice

Buy

DERMAdoctor KP Duty Dermatologist Formulated Body Scrub

$50

$50

Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid | Price: 16 ounces (Approx. $3/ounce)

Our experts also recommend products that combine both chemical and physical exfoliation. DERMAdoctor is one of the first brands to create products specifically for KP, and this scrub blends glycolic and lactic acids with silica for physical exfoliation. Be patient: “Expect to use a product for four to six weeks before clearing begins,” says Dr. Chiu.

$50 at Dermstore

Buy

$52 at Amazon

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First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub With 10% AHA

$30

Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, vitamin E | Price: 8 ounces (Approx. $4/ounce)

This KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub from First Aid Beauty is a more affordable recommendation that has a 10 percent blend of glycolic and lactic acids as well as pumice buffing beads and soothing vitamin E. It is also certified clean at Sephora (which means it is formulated without a range of ingredients including the sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, oxybenzone, and hydroquinone) and cruelty free.

$30 at Sephora

Buy

$30 at Amazon

Buy

Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator

$30

Ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, bamboo charcoal | Price: 6 ounces (Approx. $5/ounce)

Howard suggests this exfoliator from Nécessaire because it has a “gentle blend” of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acids for chemical exfoliation in addition to pumice, which provides physical exfoliation. Nécessaire was launched by Estée Lauder alum Randi Christiansen and Into the Gloss co-founder Nick Axelrod and was designed specifically for sensitive skin. All of the products in their line include a fragrance-free option, ideal if your skin (or nose) doesn’t tolerate added fragrance. If you do prefer fragrance, the scrub is also available in sandalwood and eucalyptus scents.

$30 at Nordstrom

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$30 at Sephora

Buy

Glytone KP Kit

$69

Ingredients: Glycolic acid | Price: 8.4 ounces (Approx. $4/ounce) and 6.7 ounces (Approx. $5/ounce)

Dr. Michele Green calls this KP kit from Glytone one of the best ways to treat keratosis pilaris on the body. This “highly effective, targeted treatment” kit includes a loofah and an exfoliating bodywash, which help to loosen keratin plugs, as well as an exfoliating body lotion that also works to reduce the appearance and feel of the rough bumps. Glycolic acid is the main ingredient in both the bodywash and body lotion, which Green says will not only slough off dead skin cells and promote cell turnover but will also help improve the skin’s overall texture and tone. She recommends using the kit once a day to achieve the best results but notes that if irritation occurs with daily use, you can switch to every other day or twice a week.

$69 at Amazon

Buy

$69 at Amazon

Buy

Differin Adapalene Gel, 0.1%

$15

$15

Ingredients: Adapalene | Price: 0.5 ounces (Approx. $28/ounce)

For keratosis pilaris on the face, several of the dermatologists we spoke to highly recommended adding a retinoid to your routine. Retinoids speed cell turnover and exfoliate the top layer of your skin. If you can’t get a prescription retinoid from your derm, Dr. Noelani González, Chiu, and Howard all suggested an over-the-counter adapalene, like Differin, an extremely effective ingredient that once was only available by prescription. In addition to treating KP, Differin has been highly recommended by dermatologists to tackle a range of skin conditions, including acne, maskne, discoloration, and scarring, so it’s a particularly great option if you have more than one skin concern you’re trying to treat.

$15 at Amazon

Buy

$15 at Walmart

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Replenix Treatment Pads 20%

$34

$34

Ingredients: Glycolic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E | Count: 60 count

While you can use physical scrubs on your body, “chemical exfoliants are preferred for use on the delicate skin of the face,” says Green. When used properly, they will remove dead skin cells and shrink the appearance of bumps without causing damage. These convenient pads from Replenix contain 20 percent glycolic acid and vitamins A, C, and E. Green suggests using them one to two times a week.

$34 at Amazon

Buy

$34 at Amazon

Buy

Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser

$36

Ingredients: Glycolic acid | Price: 6.7 ounces ($5/ounce)

Tan says less is more when treating KP on the face. “Patients routinely try to excessively exfoliate their face with harsh scrubs, making the redness and dryness even worse,” she explains. Physical scrubs are a major no-no for the more sensitive skin of your face, so look for exfoliating-acid active ingredients. Both Tan and Chiu suggest using a gentle, exfoliating facial cleanser like Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser, which is formulated with glycolic acid.

$36 at Amazon

Buy

$36 at Dermstore

Buy

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

$10

$10

Ingredients: Glycolic acid | Price: 240 milliliters (Approx. 0.04/milliliter)

Lal echoes Tan’s statement about overexfoliating. “KP is on the eczema spectrum and if you overdo it, your skin will feel dry and irritated,” he says. His recommendation is this toner from the Ordinary, which also contains glycolic acid. The concentration is low, so he says it’s so gentle you can use it up to twice a day. It’s recommended for the face but can be used on the body too. “Over time, it will help smooth out your KP bumps,” Lal says.

$10 at Deciem

Buy

$10 at Ulta Beauty

Buy

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA Serum

$7

Ingredients: Lactic acid, hyaluronic acid | Price: 1 ounce (Approx. $7/ounce)

If you’d prefer to incorporate your acids using a leave-on product, Tan likes the Ordinary’s super-affordable lactic-acid serum. She suggests applying it every other night as tolerated and then increasing to nightly use. Since this product may cause some dryness, layer a hydrating lotion on top.

$7 at Sephora

Buy

$8 at Ulta Beauty

Buy

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration

$38 now 26% off

$28

Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, shea butter | Price: 12 ounce (Approx. $2.6/ounce)

After applying an acid, you’ll want to follow up with an “intense hydrator,” like First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream, which Green says is ideal for treating dry skin associated with keratosis pilaris. The cream contains colloidal oatmeal and shea butter, which offers soothing hydration to the skin. “It absorbs quickly and offers immediate and long-term hydration for dry, sensitive skin,” she says.

$28 at Amazon

Buy

$38 at Dermstore

Buy

The Inkey List SuperSolutions 10% Urea Moisturizer Textured Skin Solution

$20

$20

Ingredients: Urea, colloidal oatmeal | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $12/ounce)

In case you want to use an exfoliator and moisturizer in one, Lal recommends this lotion from Inkey List. Its main ingredient is urea, a gentle exfoliator that helps to unclog pores and minimize the look of flaky skin. Lal likes this ingredient in particular for patients who deal with KP because it exfoliates and hydrates at the same time. It also contains 1 percent colloidal oatmeal, which helps to further soothe skin.

$20 at Sephora

Buy

$20 at Kohl's

Buy

Our experts

• Dr. Michele Green, dermatologist
• Dr. Noelani González, dermatologist
• Dr. Michelle Henry, dermatologist and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan
• Dr. Camille Howard, dermatologist and founder of Girl + Hair
• Dr. Karan Lal, director of cosmetic and pediatric dermatology at Affiliated Dermatology
• Dr. Ainah Tan, dermatologist