How to Get Rid of Protein Bumps (Keratosis Pilaris)

October 24, 2025 •

4 min read

Affecting up to 80% of adolescents and 40% of adults, protein bumps (keratosis pilaris) are a common, harmless skin condition characterized by small, rough bumps. While typically benign, these keratin-filled bumps can be bothersome for cosmetic reasons, prompting many to seek effective ways to manage and minimize their appearance.

Quick Summary

This guide provides effective strategies for managing keratosis pilaris, including gentle exfoliation, moisturizing with specific ingredients, and lifestyle changes. It covers both at-home remedies and professional dermatology treatments for persistent cases.

Key Points

Gentle Exfoliation: Use mild chemical exfoliants like salicylic or lactic acid to prevent clogged pores without causing irritation.
Hydrating Moisturizers: Apply moisturizers containing urea, lactic acid, or ceramides to soften bumps and improve skin texture, especially after bathing.
Proper Bathing Habits: Take short, lukewarm showers and use mild, non-soap cleansers to avoid stripping the skin of its natural oils.
Don't Pick or Scratch: Avoid attempting to squeeze or pop the bumps to prevent scarring, infection, and further skin irritation.
Consider Professional Treatments: For persistent or severe cases, a dermatologist can offer stronger options like prescription retinoids or laser therapy.
Preventative Care: A daily routine of gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection helps minimize future flare-ups.

At-Home Management for Keratosis Pilaris

For many, a consistent and gentle approach to skincare is enough to manage keratosis pilaris. The goal is to soften the skin, unclog the follicles, and reduce irritation.

Proper Bathing and Cleansing Habits

Use lukewarm water: Hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils, exacerbating dryness. Opt for warm, shorter baths or showers instead.
Choose a mild, gentle cleanser: Harsh, drying soaps should be avoided. Look for a non-soap cleanser that won't irritate the skin.
Avoid scrubbing aggressively: Gentle exfoliation is key, but harsh scrubbing can cause more irritation and worsen the condition. Use a soft cloth or loofah with circular motions.

The Importance of Moisturizing

Regular and consistent moisturizing is one of the most effective steps to improve the condition of dry, bumpy skin.

Moisturize frequently: Apply a moisturizing cream several times a day, especially immediately after bathing while the skin is still damp to lock in moisture.
Look for key ingredients: Effective moisturizers for keratosis pilaris often contain ingredients that help with gentle chemical exfoliation or hydration. These include urea, lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid.
Consider a humidifier: Adding moisture to the air, particularly during dry winter months, can prevent skin from becoming excessively dry and worsen the bumps.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Wear loose clothing: Tight, restrictive clothing can cause friction that irritates the affected areas. Choosing breathable fabrics like cotton can help.
Don't pick or scratch: It can be tempting to pick at the bumps, but this can lead to irritation, infection, or scarring.

Comparison of At-Home and Professional Treatments


Feature	At-Home Treatments	Professional Dermatologist Treatments
Effectiveness	Can be highly effective for managing mild to moderate cases over time. Consistency is key.	Offers faster, more targeted, and more powerful results for persistent or severe cases.
Speed of Results	Often takes several weeks to months to see noticeable improvement.	Can produce visible improvements in a shorter timeframe, sometimes within weeks.
Risk of Side Effects	Low risk, but can increase with overuse of exfoliating acids or scrubbing.	Higher risk of temporary side effects like redness or sensitivity depending on the procedure.
Cost	Relatively low, primarily consisting of over-the-counter products.	Higher, with costs varying significantly based on the specific procedure.
Best For	General management and improvement of mild cases. Prevention of flare-ups.	Stubborn, extensive, or particularly irritating cases that don't respond to home care.

When to See a Dermatologist

While many cases of keratosis pilaris are manageable at home, seeking professional medical advice is a good idea if the bumps are widespread, severely inflamed, or if at-home treatments aren't providing relief. A dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis and offer more aggressive, in-office solutions.

Professional Treatment Options

Prescription topical retinoids: These vitamin A-derived creams, such as tretinoin, can accelerate skin cell turnover to reduce clogging.
Chemical peels: Procedures involving higher concentrations of chemical exfoliants like glycolic or salicylic acid can be administered by a professional to remove the outermost layer of skin.
Laser therapy: For severe cases, especially those with significant redness or inflammation, a dermatologist may recommend laser treatments to reduce discoloration and smooth the skin's texture.

Conclusion

Getting rid of protein bumps, or keratosis pilaris, requires a strategic and consistent approach. For most people, a regimen of gentle exfoliation, regular moisturizing with specific active ingredients like urea or lactic acid, and sensible lifestyle adjustments can dramatically improve the skin's texture. For those with more persistent or severe symptoms, consulting a dermatologist can provide access to stronger treatments that yield quicker, more dramatic results. Remember to never pick or scratch the bumps to avoid irritation and scarring, and always be patient—improvement takes time and consistency. With the right care, you can achieve smoother, clearer skin.

A Gentle Skincare Routine for KP:

Use a body wash with salicylic acid 2-3 times a week.
Apply a moisturizing lotion with lactic acid or urea daily.
Always moisturize immediately after a warm, short shower.
Exfoliate gently with a soft cloth, not a harsh scrub.
Consider adding a humidifier to your home during dry seasons.

Essential Products to Look For:

Cleansers with AHAs or BHAs: Help to gently slough off dead skin cells.
Lotions containing urea or lactic acid: Work to soften and hydrate rough skin.
Non-comedogenic eye creams: Important for preventing milia (a different type of keratin bump) around the delicate eye area.
Daily sunscreen: Protects against sun damage, which can worsen skin texture over time.

Professional Assistance:

A dermatologist can distinguish KP from other skin conditions like milia or acne.
Prescription-strength topicals offer a more potent solution for stubborn cases.
In-office procedures like chemical peels and laser therapy can be used for significant results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Protein bumps, medically known as keratosis pilaris, are small, rough bumps caused by a buildup of keratin protein clogging hair follicles. They are distinct from acne, which involves inflamed lesions caused by clogged pores, excess oil, and bacteria.

No, you should never try to pop protein bumps (keratosis pilaris) or milia. Attempting to squeeze or extract them can cause skin damage, lead to scarring, or increase the risk of infection.

Effective ingredients include alpha-hydroxy acids (like lactic acid and glycolic acid), beta-hydroxy acids (like salicylic acid), and urea. These help to gently exfoliate and hydrate the skin, softening the bumps.

While it depends on the severity and consistency of treatment, it can take several weeks to months of regular care to see a noticeable improvement. Professional treatments may offer faster results for stubborn cases.

While the exact cause is often genetic, some anecdotal evidence suggests that a diet rich in vitamins A and D and healthy fats may support skin health. However, consistency in topical skincare is generally considered more impactful.

Keratosis pilaris tends to worsen during the winter because the air is drier. Low humidity dries out the skin, which can cause the bumps to become more pronounced, rough, and itchy.

Keratosis pilaris is almost always a harmless, benign skin condition and does not indicate a more serious health issue. It is often genetic and can be more common in individuals with other skin conditions like eczema.