What is keratosis pilaris, and how can it be treated naturally? - #16924

Keratosis pilaris is indeed those pesky tiny bumps you’ve probably noticed. It's pretty common and usually harmless, mainly caused by keratin blocking hair follicles on the skin. Think of keratin as a protein that's usually protecting the skin, but sometimes it builds up too much and causes these little bumps. You're right about a few things—those rough patches can be influenced by dry weather, which just makes everything worse, or by using skincare that's too harsh for your skin. Now, creams and scrubs can help, but it sounds like you've tried those without a lot of luck. Sometimes, skin just needs a little more patience or a different approach. Let’s go a bit Ayurvedic here—focus on balancing the doshas, particularly Vata and Kapha. The dryness suggests that Vata might be outta wack. Try applying coconut oil or sesame oil after a shower; lock that moisture in! Simple, right? The warmth of these oils can be soothing and might help slow the keratin buildup. As for diet, include more healthy fats—like ghee or avocados—to keep the skin hydrated from the inside. I’ve seen mixtures with turmeric and yogurt be beneficial because they have both inflammatory and moisturizing properties. Mix them and apply as a gentle mask for 15-20 mins before rinsing with warm water. Soft hands, gentle massage, that's key. And drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated overall. Regarding salicylic and lactic acid, these can be effective but go easy with them. Too much might lead to irritation, and that’s the last thing you want, right? Slowly introduce them and see how your skin reacts. Ideally, test a patch first, 'cause we don’t want more inflammation. Overall, it can clear up with these peristent natural approaches, but remember prevention can be occasional too, especially with diet and lifestyle habits. Anyway, let the skin breathe and give it some time. It might take weeks or longer so be patient. At the end of the day, see a dermatologist if ya need more targeted treatments. Cheers!