Bumps on your arms or thighs? 60% of Indian women have it.

The bumpy truth about Keratosis Pilaris, that no one talks about!

Letโ€™s talk about the rough, bumpy skin no one really talks about.

The little bumps on your arms. The rough patches on the back of your thighs. The uneven texture that just wonโ€™t quit. If youโ€™ve ever run your hands over your body and wondered why it doesnโ€™t feel as smooth as it should, youโ€™re not alone.

What youโ€™re likely dealing with isย Keratosis Pilaris, also known asย KP,ย chicken skin, orย strawberry skin. Itโ€™s incredibly common, especially in Indian skin โ€” and just as misunderstood. Itโ€™s not acne. Itโ€™s not a hygiene issue. And no, scrubbing harder wonโ€™t make it go away.

Overย 60% of Indian womenย suffer from KP. And yet, barely anyone talks about it. It's time we change that.

Letโ€™s get into what KP actually is, why Indian skin experiences it more frequently
(and differently), what works and what doesnโ€™t.

What is Keratosis Pilaris, really?

Itโ€™s when your skinโ€™s natural exfoliation cycle malfunctions. Instead of shedding dead cells every 28-30 days, your skin kind of hoards them. These dead cells then get trapped around your hair follicles, creating tiny clogged plugs. Think: goosebumps thatย neverย go away.

The bumps are typically found on:

  • Upper arms
  • Thighs
  • Calves
  • Buttocks
  • In more severe cases: chest, back, or even cheeks

They may be flesh-coloured, red, brown, or pigmented, depending on your skin tone and
sensitivity. For many people with Indian skin, KP can also lead toย post-inflammatory
hyperpigmentation
, making the bumps appear darker and more uneven.

KP isnโ€™t dangerous. Itโ€™s not contagious. But that doesnโ€™t mean you have to โ€œjust live with it.โ€
If youโ€™ve been hiding your arms or thighs under long sleeves, if youโ€™ve stopped wearing sleeveless tops, or if youโ€™ve just been silently annoyed by how your skinย feels, know this: you deserve better.

KP vs Strawberry Skin vs Ingrown Hair: The Breakdown

KP (Keratosis Pilaris):ย Caused by keratin buildup. Bumps are rough, often dry, and donโ€™t go away with shaving. Not painful. Not itchy (for most).

Strawberry Skin:ย Caused by clogged or enlarged pores, often following shaving. The dots are darker and look like tiny blackheads.

Ingrown Hair:ย Caused by hair growing back into the skin after waxing or shaving. Usually inflamed, red, and can be painful or itchy.

Important:ย These conditions can co-exist โ€” you can literally have all three of them, at the same time! Especially if your skin is dry, sensitive, or exposed to friction, poor-quality razors, or harsh soaps.

Why is Indian Skin more prone to it?

Indian skin tends to be:

  • More prone to pigmentation: Any inflammation (even tiny KP bumps) can lead to dark spots.
  • More reactive: Over-exfoliating, shaving or waxing can trigger irritation.
  • Thicker and oilier: This increases the chances of follicle blockage.
  • Sensitive to environmental stressors: Humidity, pollution, and hard water donโ€™t help.

Causes of Keratosis Pilaris

Letโ€™s break it down:

  1. Excess Keratin Production.
    Keratin is meant to protect your skin, but when thereโ€™s too much of it, it clogs the hair follicles.
  2. Genetics.
    KP often runs in families. If your mom or siblings have it, youโ€™re more likely
    to develop it too.
  3. Dry Skin
    Dry weather, dehydration, or harsh soaps can trigger or worsen KP.
  4. Hormonal Imbalances
    Conditions like PCOS or thyroid issues may increase your chances of developing KP.
  5. Shaving & Waxing
    Dry shaving or improper waxing can worsen the texture and leave behind pigmentation.
  6. Underlying Skin Conditions
    KP is more likely in people with eczema or atopic dermatitis.
Boofootel Soopersmooth Body Serum treats KP or bumpy skin on thighs

Symptoms to look for

  • Small, rough, goosebump-like dots
  • Dry and flaky skin
  • Redness or pigmentation around the bumps
  • Itchiness (in rare cases)
  • Sandpaper-like texture on arms or thighs

What actually helps?

Youโ€™re probably thinking:ย Iโ€™ve tried scrubbing it. Iโ€™ve tried moisturising it. Iโ€™ve tried ignoring it. Nothing works.

Hereโ€™s the truth:ย You canโ€™t scrub KP away.ย In fact, over-scrubbing can inflame it more. What your skin really needs isย smart exfoliationย +ย deep hydration.

KP isnโ€™tย curable, but itโ€™s absolutelyย manageable.

๐Ÿงฝ Chemical Exfoliation (Not Scrubbing!)

Avoid aggressive scrubs and loofahs that can irritate skin and worsen pigmentation.
Instead, opt for gentle chemical exfoliants:

  • Glycolic Acidย โ€“ An AHA that helps loosen dead skin and promote cell turnover.
  • Lactic Acidย โ€“ Exfoliates and hydrates; perfect for sensitive skin.
  • Salicylic Acidย โ€“ A BHA that unclogs pores and reduces redness (great if you also deal with strawberry skin).
  • Urea (10%)ย โ€“ Both exfoliating and moisturising. Helps soften rough, dry patches.



๐Ÿ’งย Hydration+ Barrier Repair

Hydration is non-negotiable. You need activesย andย moisture to get real
results.

  • Hyaluronic Acidย โ€“ Pulls water into the skin, plumping and smoothing.
  • Glycerinย โ€“ A humectant that prevents moisture loss.
  • Ceramidesย โ€“ Repair and strengthen the skinโ€™s barrier.
  • Coconut Alkanesย โ€“ A lightweight, non-comedogenic emollient for softness without greasiness.



๐ŸงฏAnti-Inflammatory Ingredients

  • Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)ย โ€“
    Reduces redness and pigmentation, calms irritation.
  • Allantoinย โ€“ Soothes itchy or inflamed KP.


Boofootel Sooperboost exfoliates, hydrates and brightens with glycolic and lactic acid, vitamin c and niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and coconut alkanesBoofootel Sooperboost exfoliates, hydrates and brightens with glycolic and lactic acid, vitamin c and niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and coconut alkanes

This body serumย actuallyย treats KP

It is madeย specificallyย for Indian skin, and it doesnโ€™t stop at just exfoliating. It smoothsย andย brightensย andย hydrates.

Whatโ€™s inside Soopersmooth:

  • Glycolic + Lactic Acidย โ€“ For gentle yet effective exfoliation.
  • Vitamin Cย โ€“ Helps fade those little dark spots left behind.
  • Niacinamideย โ€“ Calms redness and evens out tone.
  • Hyaluronic Acid + Glycerinย โ€“ Delivers weightless, non-greasy hydration.
  • Coconut Alkanesย โ€“ A luxe, featherlight alternative to mineral oil that makes your skin feel like silk.

Itโ€™s a do-it-all formula. No need to layer 3 different lotions and serums just to get your body skin to behave. And unlike the harsh body lotions your aunties used to swear by, this oneโ€™sย clean, vegan and non-sticky.

Use it daily (twice if your skin can handle it), especially after a shower. Stick with it for 2-3 weeks, and youโ€™ll notice that your skin isnโ€™t just smoother โ€” itโ€™sย glowierย andย more even-toned, too.

Boofootel's face serum is lightweight, non-sticky and fast absorbing. Boofootel Soopersmooth Body serum smooths bumpy skin and KP on thighs

Lifestyle tips for managing KP

  • Avoid hot showersย โ€“ Use lukewarm water and short showers.
  • Use fragrance-free body washesย โ€“ Harsh soaps strip your skin.
  • Moisturise immediately after bathingย โ€“ While skin is still damp.
  • Stop scrubbingย โ€“ No loofahs, no walnut scrubs.
  • Wear loose, breathable fabricsย โ€“ Avoid friction.