Freedom from 'chicken skin' is just an exfoliating body wash away
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Keratosis pilaris sounds like a spell chanted in a secret dark room around a bubbling cauldron in a Harry Potter novel. It’s not a hex you can put on your mathematics tutor for scolding you every time you forgot that a2 + b2 = (a + b)2 – 2ab, but a common and stubborn skin condition.
If you run your hands down your upper arm and feel little bumps, almost like tiny pimples with no white head, then you have keratosis pilaris, also called KP. It can appear on arms, legs, bum, and sometimes even on your cheeks. Dr Manasi Shirolikar, consultant dermatologist and founder of drmanasiskin.com, says keratosis pilaris is commonly known as chicken skin or strawberry legs.
We often misidentify KP and try to scrub it away with pumice stones, loofahs, and homemade sugar scrubs, says dermatologist Dr Nishita Ranka, medical director and founder of Dr Nishita’a Clinic for Skin, Hair & Aesthetics. “But any type of friction will induce more keratinisation and increase this condition even further. Later, it won’t even respond to topical therapy.” Ranka and Shirolkar recommend enlisting the help of alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids. One of the most cost-effective and convenient methods is using them in exfoliating body washes.
Exfoliating body washes are a great choice for people who are using actives/acids for the first time and are a little apprehensive of leave-on treatments. With exfoliating body washes, you can still harness the power of the active ingredients without the risk of going overboard and over-exfoliating your skin. You get the benefits of the ingredients in a short time (best to apply and leave it for two minutes) and wash up.
Browse our selection of the best exfoliating body washes in the Indian market, and always remember to follow it up with a moisturising lotion and sunscreen if you are going to get any sun exposure.
The best exfoliating body washes in India
Chemist at Play Exfoliating Body Wash, ₹399 – ₹699
SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Cleansing Bar, ₹950
BeBodywise 1% Salicylic Acid Body Wash, ₹349
Suganda 5% Lactic Body Wash, ₹495
Mario Badescu Exfoliating and Brightening AHA Botanical Body Wash, ₹725
AMINU A-HA Body Wash, ₹1,650
