Chances are, everyone that reads the title of this post knows about or groans about keratosis pilaris AKA chicken skin. The tiny, rough bumps are annoying, chronic but controllable, unsightly and incredibly commonplace. Just so you don't feel so all alone, keratosis pilaris affects 50% of the world's population, is more common in children and teenagers and, affects 4 out of every 10 adults. Women (of course) are more prone to KP (raising hand). Luckily, you can outgrow the malady and, it's medically harmless. KP is caused by the buildup of excess skin cells that build up around individual hair follicles there by creating havoc with the skin's surface (usually upper arms, tops of thighs, buttocks too) as a raised, rough and bumpy texture forms. I used to obsess about my bumpy upper arms as a teen! This CA girl lived at the beach and by the pool which helped the condition - thank you vitamin D but I was sure everyone was staring at my arms and completely grossed out. Ah youth, it's wasted on the youth! Because there's a chance you won't grow out of this condition you might as well get proactive. It's really quite simple, just wait and see... After reading about what helps control KP I soon realized why my accidental success was working well for me. Lactic acid, a tiny bit of salicylic acid and a few essential oils namely, Lavender, Melaleuca and Lemon.
The happy accident occurred when I started using CW All Purpose Healing Salve as a moisturizer after every shower on a regular basis. I noticed that my skin was losing that red, bumpy look on my upper arms and tops of thighs. Hallelujah! It only took 4 decades to find what worked argh! Later, I learned that the excellent, high quality unrefined coconut oil I use in my salves has a bounty of lactic acid and, both coconut oil and olive oil contain small amounts of salicylic acid - each are recommended to control KP. But wait! What about essential oils, do they play a part as well?
Along with those good emollient fats and acids from coconut oil and olive oil add - Lavender for cell renewal - Lemon for astringency - Melaleuca for anti-microbial detox benefits. {see recipe}
Now that summer is upon us, it's a good time to get busy for those sleeveless days ahead! Make a batch of CW All Purpose Healing Salve, you'll be amazed how often you'll reach for it! If DIY isn't your thing, let us make APHS for you, we have a bit of experience ;)
