Keratosis pilaris is an extremely common and completely harmless skin condition that you might not even realise you have. Also referred to as KP, chicken skin, strawberry skin or permanent goosebumps, it appears as small, rough bumps, most commonly on the backs of the arms, thighs, buttocks and sometimes the cheeks.Now, you might think of using a physical exfoliant or scrub to buff away rough or dead skin, yet many experts recommend utilising a combination of physical and chemical exfoliants. But, don’t let the word chemical put you off. “Chemical exfoliants can be really helpful for keratosis pilaris because they work by breaking down the build-up of dead skin cells that contribute to blocked follicles,” explains Dr Ahmed El Muntasar, GP and owner of The Aesthetics Doctor. “A lot of people’s first instinct is to physically scrub the bumps away, but harsh scrubs can actually irritate the skin and make redness worse. Chemical exfoliants tend to give you a much more controlled and effective form of exfoliation.”Some of the chemical exfoliant buzzwords you’ll want to keep an eye out for as you shop for the best KP products are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as lactic acid and glycolic acid, beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) such as salicylic acid, and urea. Whether you have keratosis pilaris or not, regularly exfoliating your skin also allows other skincare products, such as moisturisers, serums and body balms, to penetrate the skin better.While it’s recommended, when using acids, to do a patch test on a small section to check for any negative or adverse reactions before applying all over, it is just as important to practice good aftercare whenever you use a KP product. This means following up any acid or actives use with an SPF, as “AHAs such as glycolic or lactic acid increase your sensitivity to the sun”, reveals Dr Mariana Noy, consultant dermatologist at Montrose London.So, if you struggle with the skincare condition or think that you might have KP, I’ve tested the best keratosis pilaris products to add to your skin and bodycare routine.Read more: Best rosacea products, testedWhen testing, I looked at ingredients and formulations, value for money, visible results and any irritation or redness that occurred (Ellis Cochrane/The Independent)The best keratosis pilaris products for 2026 are:Best overall – First Aid Beauty KP bump eraser body scrub with 10% AHA strawberry: from £11, Lookfantastic.comBest budget buy – E45 bumpy skin smoothing cream: £10.99, Boots.comBest everyday product – Mixa urea cica repair body cream: £9.99, Superdrug.com Best body wash – Grown Alchemist resurfacing targeted body cleanser: £32, Cultbeauty.co.ukBest system – Ameliorate KP combat bundle: £32, Lookfantastic.comRead more: Best moisturisers for sensitive skin, tested