I was diagnosed with Keratosis Pilaris at the age of 6. This is a very common skin condition that is also called “chicken skin” (and by the way, if anyone ever calls my epidermis “chicken skin” it will be ugly…what a horrible nickname for this condition!). I’m sure you know someone who has this, and perhaps you have it, too. It usually manifests on the arms and legs, and looks like really bumpy skin that is also quite blotchy.
I’m 33 years old now, so it has been a part of my life for 27 years. And I can tell you already that little Layah is going to have it. Not sure yet about Darah. It’s very normal for me, and it doesn’t cause me too much grief. I mean, it is what it is. I can’t remember what it is like to have smooth skin on my arms and legs. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t REALLY like to have smooth skin again! So when I heard folks on a oils facebook group talking about how using essential oils is helping with Keratosis Pilaris, I was ALL OVER IT. Treating the condition with oils typically involves two steps: using an exfoliating scrub, followed by a moisturizing cream. I made both of these concoctions about 10 days ago.
My Results After 6 Uses
So I’ve used these products about 6 times now, and I will say this: visually, my skin doesn’t look any different. Still splotchy. Still bumpy in appearance. Again, I’ve only used this combo 6 times, so it is too early to determine what the final result is going to be. But was I hoping for a miracle? Of course I was. And so, it was a bummer not to be able to look at my arms and tell a difference.
BUT…my skin feels VERY different! I have been touching my arms so often over the last week, because I just can’t get over how smooth they feel. Do they feel like the arms of someone who DOESN’T have KP? No, at least not yet. But do they feel like the arms of someone who DOES have KP? No, not anymore! They are in this in-between place. And I for one absolutely love it!! And even if you don’t have KP, this is a great scrub for dry skin, too!
DIY Sugar Scrub for Keratosis Pilaris
So the first step is to exfoliate. And you need to exfoliate with the right stuff, friends! I’ve bought TONS of exfoliating over the years, and none have come anywhere close to working as well as this homemade version.
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut oil (buy the good stuff
…not the cheap version…it matters!)
- 1 cup cane sugar
(I chose cane sugar because it seems slightly less fine that regular white sugar so it has more grit)
- 8 drops lavender essential oil
I cut the recipe in half for my first attempt (just in case I didn’t like it…but I LOVED it, so go ahead and make the whole thing!). Use a medium sized glass bowl. DON’T use plastic, as essential oils will eat plastic! True story.
Add the sugar, and then the coconut oil. Coconut oil is solid at room temp. I microwaved it for 8 seconds to soften it a bit. That’ll all you need for it to work with you…it melts very quickly. Do not fully melt your coconut oil before making this, ‘k?
Now it’s time to add your lavender. Your skin goes through quite an ordeal when it is being exfoliated, and the lavender is there to soothe. It is important to get the good stuff so that the impact you are seeking is there, and not just the scent. I have used Young Living in the past, but I also feel comfortable recommending Plant Therapy.
Mix all of your ingredients together with a fork until well combined. Then transfer to a glass container with a lid
And if this whole oils thing is all new to you, I’ve got some other great articles you can check out to learn more. I got into the whole thing as a skeptic, myself, so if you have your doubts about it, I TOTALLY relate!
Trying Essential Oils as a Skeptic
How to Get Started with Essential Oils
My TV segment on natural allergy relief and Young Living
DIY Shower Disks for Congestion
Essential Oils for Weight Loss
How to Get Free Essential Oils Without Starting a Business (It’s EASY!!!)
Use Lemon Essential Oil to Safely Remove Crayon Marks
How to Get Rid of Hiccups with Peppermint Oil
How to Strengthen Brittle Nails with Essential Oils
Back-to-School Germ Relief with Thieves
How to Neutralize Bathroom Odors in a Flash
How did you make your lotion, or did you use one from a store?
I would love the recipe for the moisturizer you make?
Hi! I’m new to essential oils. My daughter has KP. I was wondering if you have noticed any changes in appearance (or anything else) after using the scrub for a longer period of time. Also, do you have a link for the moisturizer that could help with KP? Thanks!!
What was the 2nd concoction you mentioned using? I’m eager to try this combo for my KP!
I was wondering the same thing! What’s the moisturizer that you made? Thanks!
That’s great your making your own facial scrub, I’ve a little rosacea and I’m finding it difficult finding something to ease the redness. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great weekend!!
Thanks for sharing your personal struggles, and this recipe! I’m looking for mother’s day gift ideas for our blog, and this will be making the list. Feel free to check out our other ideas. 🙂 I’m glad I found your post through the Strut Your Stuff Link Party.
Glad to hear that your skin is at least feeling better! Sometimes change takes time, hang in there 🙂 Thanks for linking up at Happiness is Homemade!
I wonder if this would work on my girl’s eczema. I’m going to pin it and try 🙂
I have also heard that lavender and frankincense work great on eczema if you have those (they come in the premium starter kit!). 🙂
Ooh, I think David has this. He definitely has the bumpy skin although I haven’t noticed blotchiness yet. (And Daddy definitely does, too.) Will have to see if I can get David to let me use it on him!
See if he’ll try it himself! He might not want you to do it since it is gritty, but if he gets to do it himself maybe he’ll like it? You can tell him it’s mud for the bath! 🙂
I have this condition, it seems like it goes away with age, it’s not like it was when I was younger. My boys both have it, the youngest really bad. I use a homemade scrub too, and it seems to help. I might try scrubbing his face with it.
I WISH mine would go away with age, but it seems firmly entrenched! 🙁
Hi, I just came across this article via Pinterest and would like to try this remedy. What is your method for application of the scrub? Just rub it in and let it set? Or scrub off right away?
Hi Christina!
I apply this in the shower right after putting the conditioner in my hair. After I get all scrubbed up on my arms and legs, I reach for my shower gel and start cleaning the rest of my body. Some of the scrub rinses off during that process, and the rest I just make sure to get off afterwords. Then I rinse out my hair and I’m all done! So in short, it’s ok not to let it “soak” but at the same time, it’s also ok to not rush to wipe it off! 🙂
My daughter is 9 and has had this condition since she was 2. It has gotten worse as she has gotten older, more blotchy now. We are now just trying different things to see if they will help – but what do you recommend for moisturizing cream? Great thing with her right now – she loves her bumpy arms!!!
Yeah, I was reading about how it mostly goes away by age 30….yeah right! Not for me! But hopefully your daughter will be luckier than me. I’m still working on the recipe for the cream (since it has a few different oils in it, I want to make sure it is working well by trying it for a few more weeks before I suggest it to folks). Stay tuned!
Not sure if anyone asked but how many drops of Lavender do you add to the scrub?
8 drops