Home Remedies for Keratosis Pilaris (Bumps on the Skin)

Home Remedies for Keratosis Pilaris (Bumps on the Skin)

Keratosis pilaris is commonly named as “chicken skin” in which your skin gets small red or white bumps which remain like acne bumps usually on your upper arms, legs, cheeks or buttocks. It is generally diagnosed as a skin disorder due to which these bumps are sometimes itchy, rough and dry. As you grow in your age, keratosis pilaris disappear by the time, generally 30.

Keratosis, the name of skin disorder comes from a protein known as keratin. This is present in the skin and wads hair follicles, this is the reason it causes bumps to make your skin feel like scrapes dull epidermal surface. The reason of excess amount of keratin is still not known.

It goes through generation to generation and can be recognized with eczema and other related dry skin conditions. During the winter season, keratosis pilaris becomes poorer and hard to bear on the skin. There you can only stabilize the condition by applying various kinds of skin lotions and creams. But this type of treatment do not show good results so if you prefer natural home remedies, they will definitely give you a changing effect on your skin and gradually the problem will be healed. Here are some of the home remedies to fight against keratosis pilaris.

1.  Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is totally a pure liquid for treating different problems related to the skin as for keratosis pilaris bumps. It contains astringent properties due to which it helps to unblock the pores of skin and good for overall health issues.

• Take equal amounts of organic apple cider vinegar and water.

• Apply this solution on the bumps where available then leave it for few minutes.

• Wash it off and repeat the process three times daily.

• If you feel the solution is too strong, you can add more water into it to make it dilute.

• Optionally, mix one-half cup of apple cider vinegar and one-half cup of coconut oil.

• Now add one tbsp. of soy lecithin in this mixture.

• This will greatly cure your bumps.

• Other thing you can do is add one tsp of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a glass of water.

• Drink this solution twice a day.

2.  Coconut Oil

You would have to use pure, virgin coconut oil due to the presence of synthetic properties in it. It is best to cure keratosis pilaris as it is a moisturizing agent and it makes your skin glow and prevents your skin from any kind of bacterial infections.

• Take a small amount of coconut oil in your palms and apply directly on the skin few times a day.

• Applying it after taking a bath would be more reactive when your skin is moist to help retain the moisture.

• Eat one tsp of coconut oil on the daily basis. Gradually increase the amount up to three tbsp. per once a day.

• Another option you can do is mix one part of each white and brown sugar to make a scrub.

• Add two parts of coconut oil or two tsp of honey.

• Rub the mixture to your skin as to exfoliate it, wash it off then moisturize your skin.

• Use this remedy twice a week.

3.  Baking Soda

Baking soda is an ingredient available at home and you can use it to treat your skin for removing dead skin cells that causes the blockage of pores. Therefore, it also helps in getting rid of bumps on your skin.

• Take 2 tsp of baking soda and add enough water in it to make a paste.

• Apply this paste on the bumps then scrub with the help of circular motion of your hands.

• Wash it off with warm water then use a moisturizing cream.

• Follow the procedure few times a week.

4.  Oatmeal

Oatmeal contains all over properties of maintaining a healthy skin. It soothes the dryness of your skin. Dead skin cells can also be removed using oatmeal.

• In a food processor, grind one-third of oatmeal into a fine powder.

• Now add this powder into warm bath water then let it soak for 20 minutes.

• Do this remedy once a week.

• Make a paste from one tbsp. of oatmeal and water.

• Use this paste for scrubbing your skin then leave it for 20 minutes.

• Wash it off then moisturize your skin.

• Do this remedy few times a week.

5.  Sour Cream

Sour cream can be easily available to you in markets in which lactic acid is present which helps in exfoliating the skin and removes the keratosis pilaris bumps on your skin. If it is mixed with sugar, it can become a great skin scrub.

• Mix one tsp of white or brown sugar with two tsp of sour cream.

• Apply it on the affected parts of your skin then scrub it for few minutes.

• Leave the mixture for 15 minutes then wash it off.

• Repeat the process few times a week.

• You can also use buttermilk and yogurt as they both contain lactic acid.

6.  Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is beneficial for your skin due to the presence of too many minerals in it. It is good for making your skin soft, soothes itching, removes toxic substances from your body, reduces inflammation and makes you stressed free.

• In warm bath water, stir one cup of Epsom salt.

• Soak the skin in this water for about 20 minutes.

• After that pat dry your skin and apply a good moisturizer or coconut oil.

• Do this remedy few times a week.

• Take a handful of Epsom salt and mix it with one tbsp. of olive oil.

• Gently rub this mixture to your skin twice a week.

7.  Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E oil is a useful ingredient for the skin problems and thus it also fights against keratosis pilaris. It removes the itchiness of the bumps and retains moisture. Vitamin E is an ingredient to repair your skin and maintaining the healthy skin.

• Apply vitamin E oil directly on your skin at the time when it slightly wet twice daily.

• If this oil is not available to you then you can consume vitamin E capsule for the relevant application.

• You can also mix few tbsp. of vitamin E oil in warm bath water.

• Soak your skin in it for 30 minutes.

• Repeat the remedy three times a week.

8.  Fish Oil

Fish oil contains essential fatty acids like omega 3-fatty acids which is good to treat the keratosis pilaris. It contains healing properties for dryness and promotes the healthy texture of your skin.

• Fish oil capsules are easily available at the drug stores.

• Take one to three grams of fish oil supplement on the regular basis.

• Consult your doctor for the proper dosage.

• Oily fish should be eaten such as salmon, trout, sardines, mackerel and tuna.

• Include fatty fish in your diet twice a week.

9.  Sea Salt

Sea salt can be used for scrubbing and exfoliating the skin and help unclog pores thus soften the dry skin. Minerals and nutrients are present in the sea salt which helps in promoting the healthy nature of your skin.

• Mix one-half cup of grape seed oil or almond oil with one tbso of grapefruit essential oil.

• Add them in one cup of sea salt.

• Apply on your skin then scrub with gentle hands.

• Wash it off then apply a good moisturizer.

• Do this remedy twice a week.

10.  Olive Oil

Olive oil is also very good ingredient for treating the keratosis pilaris because it helps in moisturizing the skin and enriched with vitamin E. When it combines with sugar and honey, it becomes a great skin scrub.

• Apply extra-virgin olive oil directly on your skin few times a day regularly.

• Another thing you can do is mix extra-virgin olive oil and sugar with one tsp of honey.

• Rub this mixture on your skin for 10 minutes.

• Wash it off then apply a moisturizing cream on your skin.

• Do this remedy twice a week.

Additional Tips

• Do not scratch at the bumps.

• The lotions containing urea are highly recommended to make your skin all time moisturized.

• Take a bath with warm water instead of hot water to prevent your skin from dryness.

• Limit your bath time for at least 10 minutes.

• Use an exfoliating foam pad or a pumice stone for exfoliating the rough and stiffed skin.

• Eat healthy food rich in vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. It has been estimated that keratosis pilaris is associated with the deficiency of vitamin A.