Woman exfoliating to treat KP on her legs.

What Is Keratosis Pilaris? Causes, Symptoms and How to Treat KP Bumps

Article Summary: If you’ve noticed tiny, rough bumps on your arms, legs, buttocks or cheeks, you may be dealing with keratosis pilaris, also known as KP, strawberry skin or chicken skin. KP is a common skin condition that happens when keratin, a protein naturally found in skin, builds up and blocks hair follicles, creating small bumps that may look skin-colored, red, brown or slightly darker depending on your skin tone. KP is generally harmless and can often be managed with gentle cleansing and exfoliation, regular moisturization and skin barrier-supporting care. In this guide, we’ll explain what KP is, what causes flare-ups, where it commonly appears and how to build a routine for smoother-looking, softer-feeling skin.

October 05, 2026

min read

Does a body wash scent matter?
What are the most popular body wash fragrances?
What is keratosis pilaris?
What does KP look and feel like?
Where can keratosis pilaris appear on the body?
What causes KP flare-ups?
How to treat keratosis pilaris with a gentle body care routine
Ingredients to look for in KP-friendly skincare
Benefits of using Dove KP Scrub
Is keratosis pilaris permanent?
What is the difference between keratosis pilaris, eczema, psoriasis and dry skin?
How to maintain happy, healthy skin when you have KP

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Does a body wash scent matter?

A body wash scent can completely elevate your showering experience. Different scents appeal to different people and fragrance pairings can help you feel certain ways, such as less stressed or more awake. Technically the scent won’t impact the cleaning ability, but picking a scent can help set your mood. It’s important to pick a scent that brings you joy and gives you confidence.

What are the most popular body wash fragrances?

When you are looking for a new fragrance, it’s helpful to start with fragrance categories. Learning about the types of scents can help you narrow down what you’re looking for in a body wash and give you direction since there are so many fragrance combinations available. Here are some of the most popular scents:

Scent Profile	Description	Key Ingredients	Example Dove Products
Clean & Fresh	Crisp, airy freshness that evokes just-washed skin and everyday cleanliness, with a soft, comforting finish.	Water accord, aldehydes, white musk, cotton, light florals, green notes	Deep Moisture Body Wash Deep Moisture Body Wash
Bright & Energizing	Juicy, zesty freshness that delivers an instant burst of energy and an uplifting shower experience.	Grapefruit, lemon, bergamot, mandarin, lime zest	Dove Reset Tropical Coconut & Lime Body Wash Grapefruit & Lemon Balm Body Wash
Fruity & Playful	Vibrant, juicy fruits that feel cheerful and refreshing, balancing brightness with a touch of softness and care.	Mango, peach, berries, passion fruit, coconut water	Replenish Body Wash Revitalize Body Wash
Floral Care	Soft to radiant florals that enhance femininity and skin glow, from delicate petals to richer, more enveloping bouquets.	Rose, jasmine, peony, cherry blossom, orange flower, soft musks	Hydration Boost Serum Body Wash with Hyaluronic Acid Uplift Body Wash
Comforting & Indulgent	Creamy, cocooning warmth that wraps the skin in softness and care, delivering a nurturing and indulgent experience.	Vanilla, tonka, shea butter, almond milk, oat, caramel	Pistachio & Vanilla Cream Body Wash Warm Vanilla + Sweet Cream Body Wash
Warm & Grounding (Amber Woods)	Smooth, warm, and slightly sensual notes that create a grounding, elevated cleansing ritual with a modern, gender-neutral feel.	Amber accord, sandalwood, cedarwood, benzoin, palo santo, musk	Palo Santo + Sage Body Wash
Nature & Wellness	Clean, soothing and nature-inspired freshness that connects to wellness, balance, and skin purity.	Eucalyptus, mint, lavender, rosemary, aloe, cucumber, green tea, matcha	Refresh Body Wash Relax Body Wash

What is keratosis pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris, or KP, is a common skin concern that happens when keratin builds up around hair follicles. Keratin is a protective protein found naturally in the skin, but when too much collects in the follicle opening, it can create small, rough bumps. KP is not contagious, and it is usually harmless. However, it can be frustrating when bumps show up on visible areas like the arms or legs, or when skin looks dull, uneven or textured. Understanding what KP is can make it easier to choose a body care routine that supports smoother-looking skin without over-scrubbing or irritating the area.

What does KP look and feel like?

KP often looks like clusters of tiny bumps on the skin. The bumps may be skin-colored, red, white, brown or darker than the surrounding skin, depending on your skin tone. They can also appear alongside dry, rough or discolored skin. While keratosis pilaris is usually not painful, your skin may feel dry, tight or irritated if it is over-exfoliated or exposed to harsh products. If the bumps become painful, itchy, inflamed, suddenly worse or difficult to identify, it is best to check with a dermatologist or healthcare professional for guidance.

Where can keratosis pilaris appear on the body?

Keratosis pilaris most commonly appears on areas where hair follicles grow and can become clogged with keratin. Common places people see KP bumps on their body:

Upper arms
Thighs and legs
Buttocks
Face (especially cheeks)
Other areas with dry, bumpy or rough-feeling skin

What causes KP flare-ups?

KP flare-ups happen when keratin builds up and blocks the opening of hair follicles, creating the tiny bumps associated with keratosis pilaris. Dry skin can make the texture feel more noticeable, which is why KP may seem more visible during the winter when temperatures are colder and humidity is lower when your skin is not getting enough moisture.

Friction can also make rough bumps look or feel worse. Most common causes include:

Restrictive clothing: Tight clothes, especially ones with minimal breathability
Skincare routine: Harsh scrubbing, very hot showers, shaving/waxing or skipping moisturizer
Weather: Winter conditions, including cold temperatures and low humidity
Genetics: Can be passed down within your family and is more common in people with dry or eczema-prone skin.

How to treat keratosis pilaris with a gentle body care routine

The best skincare routine for keratosis pilaris is usually simple: cleanse gently, exfoliate carefully, and moisturize consistently. The goal is to help smooth rough texture while supporting the skin barrier, not to scrub the bumps away aggressively.

Cleanse gently. Use a mild body wash, such as Dove Serum+ Soothing Oil Body Wash, powered by 50% glycerin serum plus natural oils instantly reduces dryness and provides all-day moisturization and hydration.
Exfoliate carefully. Gentle exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells from the surface and improve the look of texture. We recommend using Dove Serum+ Bump Dual Action Scrub 1-2 times a week to mitigate KP bumps. Avoid harsh scrubs or aggressive pressure, which can make KP look more irritated.
Be consistent. KP often needs ongoing maintenance and a steady routine. Smoother-looking skin usually takes time, so think in weeks, not overnight fixes.
Stay hydrated. Dry skin can be more irritable then hydrated skin so making sure that you’re drinking enough water throughout the day can reduce the risk of a flare-up.
Take shorter showers. Shorter, lukewarm showers can help your skin from drying out and reduce dry skin and bumps.
Adjust your routine if irritation happens. If your skin becomes raw, stings, feels tight, or looks more inflamed, pause exfoliation and focus on moisturizing until skin feels calmer.

Ingredients to look for in KP-friendly skincare

When caring for KP-prone skin, look for ingredients that help smooth and soften the feel of rough bumps while keeping skin comfortable. Gentle exfoliating ingredients, like lactic acid, glycolic acid or salicylic acid, can help lift away dead skin cells from the surface. Moisturizing ingredients, like urea, can help hydrate and soften dry-feeling skin. Look for sulfate-free skin cleansers that support hydration and leave skin feeling nourished rather than stripped. Since everyone’s skin is different, start slowly, follow the product directions and pause if your skin feels irritated.

Dove Serum+ Bump formula uses AHA + BHA serum to smooth bumps and prevent ingrown hairs to help treat KP.

Benefits of using Dove KP Scrub

Dove Serum+ Bump Dual Action Scrub is designed to help smooth rough, bumpy KP-prone skin without the luxury price tag. Beyond its skin-smoothing benefits, it makes your shower routine feel more sensorial and is a practical alternative to pricier body scrubs. Serum+ Bump Dual Action Scrub offers clinically proven smoothing to help improve your skin’s look and feel.

Key benefits of Dove Serum+ Bump Dual Action Scrub:

Helps reduce the look of KP bumps with regular use
10% AHA BHA serum for dual-action exfoliation
Clinically proven to improve skin texture
Dual action chemical and physical exfoliation for smoother skin in just 1 wash
Gritty texture helps polish rough areas
Gentle enough for sensitive skin
Luxurious scent for sensorial shower
No greasy feel and leaves skin feeling smooth
Lower price point than competitors

Is keratosis pilaris permanent?

Keratosis pilaris can be stubborn, and it may last for years. For some people, KP improves with age, while others continue to notice bumps on and off over time. The most important thing to know is that KP can often be managed with a consistent routine that helps smooth the look of rough texture and keeps skin feeling moisturized. Since KP is related to keratin buildup, it may return when a skincare routine stops. To mitigate KP symptoms, you should focus on long-term skin routine, rather than a one-time fix. Look for gentle, consistent skincare steps that support softer-feeling skin without irritating the bumps.

What is the difference between keratosis pilaris, eczema, psoriasis and dry skin?

KP can be confused with other skin concerns because dryness, roughness, redness, and uneven texture symptoms can overlap. The comparison table below can help you understand the differences, but an official diagnosis should always be confirmed by a healthcare provider.

Skin Concern	Common Signs	How It May Differ From KP
Keratosis Pilaris	Usually painless, small rough bumps around hair follicles, often on upper arms, thighs, butt, or cheeks linked to keratin buildup in hair follicles	--
Dry Skin	Flaking, tightness, rough patches, dullness	May feel rough without distinct follicle-centered bumps
Eczema	Itchy, inflamed, irritated, or cracked patches	Often itchier and more inflamed than KP, and may require a different care plan
Razor Burn/Bumps	Redness, irritation, tenderness or small bumps that can appear after shaving	Usually linked to shaving irritation, friction or ingrown hairs rather than keratin buildup
Psoriasis	Thicker scaly plaques that may be sharply defined	Can require diagnosis and treatment from a healthcare provider

How to maintain happy, healthy skin when you have KP

While keratosis pilaris can be an inconvenience, you don’t have to live with its symptoms forever. With a gentle body care routine, consistent moisturization and careful exfoliation, you can help skin feel softer, smoother and more comfortable over time. Dove is here to help you care for KP-prone skin with ingredients designed to nourish and support your skin barrier every day.

While there is no guaranteed quick fix for keratosis pilaris, a consistent routine with gentle cleansing, regular exfoliation and moisturization can help improve the look and feel of rough bumps over time.

How often you exfoliate KP depends on your skin, product and personal preference. Start slowly, follow the product directions and reduce use if skin feels dry, irritated or uncomfortable. It’s recommended to use the Dove Serum+ Bump Dual Action Scrub 1-2 times a week. If you have consistent dryness, irritation or redness, please visit your dermatologist or healthcare provider.

Redness associated with KP may look more noticeable when skin is dry or irritated. Avoid harsh cleansers and scrubbing, moisturize consistently and consider speaking with a dermatologist if redness is persistent, inflamed or uncomfortable.

KP flare-ups are linked to keratin buildup around hair follicles. Dry skin, seasonal changes, friction from clothing and harsh body care habits may make bumps look or feel more noticeable, causing a flare up.

Strawberry skin is a harmless skin condition where open pores or hair follicles show up as tiny dark or red dots that looks like the seeds on a strawberry. Common causes of strawberry skin include KP, shaving, folliculitis or ingrown hair.

Dove products are a great addition to your keratosis pilaris regimen and management plan. We recommend using one of our [Link Text: Dove Serum+ Body Washes][Link URL: https://www.dove.com/us/en/campaigns/products/serum-body-wash-collection.html] for daily showers and the [Link Text: Dove Serum+ Bump Dual Action Scrub][Link URL: https://www.dove.com/us/en/p/serum-bump-dual-action-scrub.html/00011111065239] 1-2 times a week to gently exfoliate your body.