No, it’s not acne or a rash — according to Cleveland Clinic, these bumps happen when excess keratin (a protein in our skin, hair and nails) clogs our pores instead of naturally shedding off.
Per the Cleveland Clinic, KP happens when our skin struggles to get rid of old keratin, causing bumps to form around our hair follicles. While there’s no exact cause known, the Cleveland Clinic reports that KP is often more common in people with fair or light skin, dry skin or who deal with eczema or ichthyosis.
Of course, if it’s not hurting you or causing discomfort, you certainly don’t have to do anything about it, yet if you’re looking for a smoother look or more even texture and tone to the skin, Mayo Clinic writes that exfoliating products, like salicylic acid (to help you shed dead skin) and topical retinoids, like retinol, (to prevent hair follicles from clogging) can be a winning combo.
“Creams containing alpha hydroxy acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid or urea help loosen and remove dead skin cells. They also moisturize and soften dry skin,” Mayo Clinic said. “[Topical retinoids] work by promoting cell turnover and preventing plugged hair follicles.”
Reviewers dealing with chronic “chicken skin” credit these serums for “fewer bumps and softer skin.”
