My preteen has horrible facial Keratosis Pilaris. How can I help her?

[Evolvamama]

She and I both have had it on our arms and legs for a long time, and for the past several months, she's been getting it worse and worse on her face. For her 7th grade physical, dd asked about it, and the doctor said dd does have it very bad. Then, said to get Carmol Urea. She also said to get a gentle exfoliator.

I'm terrible about all things skin care, and feel lost trying to help her. I definitely want to try something natural and stay away from chemicals. Currently, she sometimes uses Dove for sensitive skin, but doesn't really have a normal facial cleansing and moisturizing routine down. I only found out yesterday that she is becoming self conscience(sp??) about this.

And advice would be great! Thanks!

P.S. I have been reading on this forum for the last hour, and am motivated to switch to all natural skin care for both of us!!

[sunnysandiegan]

The best thing you can do is help her eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of plain water. (The nutrition forum here at MDC is amazing.) The skin is our (humans) biggest organ and it generally reflects what is going on inside the body.

She may also be experiencing hormonal shifts. I don't know the balancing steps at her age. I experienced lots of this after having a baby and rosewater has done amazing things for my skin...rose everything has been very balancing... rose essential oil or rosewater... the real stuff, not just the smell...

I recently started using unrefined, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil. It is liquid right now due to the temperature (liquid above 75 degrees), so I have been squirting a dropper full in my mouth every evening and using a second dropper full as a moisturizer (face, neck, upper chest, rub hands with "residue" through my scalp/hair, and lastly rub hands together so the back of each hand gets the very last trace of it). My skin has been oily most of my life...from puberty to last November. I started the rosewater mist and other real rose products last November and my skin is now "normal". I'm still not used to it. The idea of putting oil on my face was quite alarming! I have to say the coconut oil is simply LOVELY!!! It has only a very slight scent of fresh coconuts and only at first. The oil soaks in very rapidly and makes my skin feel velvety soft, not greasy.

Lastly, I am not exactly sure what keratosis pilaris is, but it sounds like what I had on my upper arms. Little bumps that can be red and itchy? Sometimes they are just white and hard and annoying? Anyway, I dry brush my entire body before most showers and this practice alone got rid of the bumps I had had for over a decade. I believe the technical reason is better circulation. If indeed that is keratosis, I highly recommend finding a soft natural bristle brush that is small enough for your DD to gently massage her face (circular motions) once or twice a day. I use a nail brush on my entire body and it works rather well. I think I have seen small, round brushes on wood circle bases that would work well. The mechanics are similar to exfoliating, but this technique uses one durable item versus a consumable product and is simple and QUICK.

[Naturalyst]

I've only treated keratosis pilaris on arms and legs, where the skin is tough enough to exfoliate with a scrubby cloth or pad and have it be enough. But, if it were my face, I might opt for the more gentle exfoliation, like your doctor recommended, and try using a gentle Buff Puff (they make one for the face). If that was not enough, I'd add chemical exfoliation.

Any product containing a beta or alpha hydroxyacid will exfoliate skin (i.e., salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid ...). There are lots of over-the-counter products with hydroxyacids in them. Most people use them to reduce signs of aging skin or eczema, so that's how they are marketed. But, they work for keratosis pilaris too. Over-the-counter acne pads made for sensitive skin will contain salicylic acid, a beta hydroxyacid, and most teens will use them readily. BTW, they also work great on the arm and leg keratosis pilaris.

[Evolvamama]

Originally Posted by sunnysandiegan

The best thing you can do is help her eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of plain water. (The nutrition forum here at MDC is amazing.) The skin is our (humans) biggest organ and it generally reflects what is going on inside the body.

She may also be experiencing hormonal shifts. I don't know the balancing steps at her age. I experienced lots of this after having a baby and rosewater has done amazing things for my skin...rose everything has been very balancing... rose essential oil or rosewater... the real stuff, not just the smell...

I recently started using unrefined, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil. It is liquid right now due to the temperature (liquid above 75 degrees), so I have been squirting a dropper full in my mouth every evening and using a second dropper full as a moisturizer (face, neck, upper chest, rub hands with "residue" through my scalp/hair, and lastly rub hands together so the back of each hand gets the very last trace of it). My skin has been oily most of my life...from puberty to last November. I started the rosewater mist and other real rose products last November and my skin is now "normal". I'm still not used to it. The idea of putting oil on my face was quite alarming! I have to say the coconut oil is simply LOVELY!!! It has only a very slight scent of fresh coconuts and only at first. The oil soaks in very rapidly and makes my skin feel velvety soft, not greasy.

Lastly, I am not exactly sure what keratosis pilaris is, but it sounds like what I had on my upper arms. Little bumps that can be red and itchy? Sometimes they are just white and hard and annoying? Anyway, I dry brush my entire body before most showers and this practice alone got rid of the bumps I had had for over a decade. I believe the technical reason is better circulation. If indeed that is keratosis, I highly recommend finding a soft natural bristle brush that is small enough for your DD to gently massage her face (circular motions) once or twice a day. I use a nail brush on my entire body and it works rather well. I think I have seen small, round brushes on wood circle bases that would work well. The mechanics are similar to exfoliating, but this technique uses one durable item versus a consumable product and is simple and QUICK.

Thanks for the info on coconut oil! I just posted a question in the nutrition forum asking about it.

Dd used to eat a very clean diet-until she hit puberty, and has now become very picky. It's so frustrating! I am currently trying a gluten free way of eating, and slowly encouraging her to eat less carbs, and more protein,fruits and vegies. Thankfully, with the esxception of an occasional lemonade, she is a water drinker. Oh, she is reading a book called _Chew On This_ a simpler version of Fast Food Nation. We don't eat a lot of fast food, but she would *like* to....which is why I got this book for her.

Her skin is actually very dry. This skin condition looks like whiteheads. I googled it, and it is more of a problem of clogged pores due to protein around the pores.(?) And yes, the hormonal changes are what made it go from her arms to her face-really bad.

I like the idea of a brush-I'll check into that for both of us.

Thank you!!

[Evolvamama]

Originally Posted by Naturalyst

I've only treated keratosis pilaris on arms and legs, where the skin is tough enough to exfoliate with a scrubby cloth or pad and have it be enough. But, if it were my face, I might opt for the more gentle exfoliation, like your doctor recommended, and try using a gentle Buff Puff (they make one for the face). If that was not enough, I'd add chemical exfoliation.

Any product containing a beta or alpha hydroxyacid will exfoliate skin (i.e., salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid ...). There are lots of over-the-counter products with hydroxyacids in them. Most people use them to reduce signs of aging skin or eczema, so that's how they are marketed. But, they work for keratosis pilaris too. Over-the-counter acne pads made for sensitive skin will contain salicylic acid, a beta hydroxyacid, and most teens will use them readily. BTW, they also work great on the arm and leg keratosis pilaris.

Thanks for these ideas. I suppose I sort of freaked when the doc suggested a product, as I didn't think it would be natural. I freaked at the word:acid. I guess all acids are not bad? Maybe there is an exfoliate(sp?) at our health food store. I am really cautious about acne products, as I've heard horror stories online and from friends. I never had acne, so don't have the experience of using anything-but dh has always battled it-but hasn't ever used anything other than the Dove.

Thank you!

[dbsam]

My son is only five but has always had KP on his arms, legs and face. Our dermatologist says it tends to worsen when going through puberty. The dermatologist suggested Dove soap but we do not use it.

I started giving my son cod liver oil to help with another medical condition. I believe a side effect was that his KP is almost completely unnoticeable. I don't have a scientific reason why but I know that when we've run out of CLO, his KP worsens. I've never used cream, moisturizer, acid, exfoliation, etc on his skin...just CA Baby soap...but of course he is much younger so the treatment may need to be different for your daughter...just thought CLO might help.

[Evolvamama]

Originally Posted by dbsam

My son is only five but has always had KP on his arms, legs and face. Our dermatologist says it tends to worsen when going through puberty. The dermatologist suggested Dove soap but we do not use it.

I started giving my son cod liver oil to help with another medical condition. I believe a side effect was that his KP is almost completely unnoticeable. I don't have a scientific reason why but I know that when we've run out of CLO, his KP worsens. I've never used cream, moisturizer, acid, exfoliation, etc on his skin...just CA Baby soap...but of course he is much younger so the treatment may need to be different for your daughter...just thought CLO might help.

Wow! Ya know, I'm not surprised! When my dd was approaching puberty, CLO is one of the things that she refused to take. I, like you, was giving it to both kids for non-skin related reasons.I absolutely believe it is wonderful for skin, hair and nails. I just ran out, and am now considering getting Krill instead. I just posted a question on the Health forum about it.

Thanks for the reminder and tip!

[Hazelnut]

I read online about coconut oil applied topically helping kP, so I slathered it nightly on my upper arms and my kp there is totally gone. I'm not sure how it will work on her face if she's young- I don't think it will clog pores, but I'd start out very small. It is a lovely moisturizer- just don't know if it will be too heavy on a preteen.

Anyway, if you haven't found it yet via google, I know there is a keratosis polaris message board out there. Maybe they have ideas as well?

[somanythings]

I have found that getting a little sun helps my KP, as does exfoliation.

[chattyprincess]

I agree about hormones/drink more water and diet! the three biggest things for female skin problems on the planet!!! I compeltely understand her embarassment/frustration, I had a mother who was clueless to the point of no return about anything facial and all through my teen years would buy whatever acne cleanser was on sale. To say the least it did nothing but NOT help! lol.
I have kp up and down my arms and the only thing that has helped (even after eating healthy and all the rest) is regular exfoliating with a brown sugar/salt/oatmeal/cornmeal scrub once a week and daily after shower moisturizing with Alba unscented body lotion.
For my face I use Desert Essence Organics Thourghly Clean Face Wash LOVE IT (also love the price!!!) I also use the Desert Essence Daily Moisturizer. I do wash morning and night and apply lotion both times.
Once a week I do an asprin face mask you take 2 asprin dissovled in a teeny tiny bit of water and then spread over my face and left for 5 min. If you have an asprin allergy do not use(or are under the age of 12 as asprin is NOT reccomened for use on childern or while pregnant!). Also it can be drying so do not leave on any longer! (on asprin face mask night I do not face wash after wards I just apply lotion/oils after mask and im good!) Asprin is a form of salycilic acid so it helps unclog/clean out pores.
I also use a clay mask once a week that helps suck the gunk out of my pores and keep them really clean. On top of that every other day or so I use brown sugar as an exfoliant and scrub my face and then let it set there for a couple min. It really helps clean my face. Exfoliantation is the single most important thing to do for your teens skin! It helps remove dead skin cells so that they do no block up the pores which helps preven the cycle of acne. I am 24 and after doing the regime for about 3 mths now my break outs are limitied to 1-2/3 zits after my period and thats it!! I do not get all over facial acne at all anymore.
My Step mom used to work for a dermatoligist (she was an rn) and he would say "show me teen acne and I will show you a zinc definincy" so maybe something to think about, Rainbow light makes an awesome for teens once daily multi. they are a very trusted vitamin company!
also I don't know if she does or not but is she wearing makeup?
face wash
http://www.vitacost.com/Desert-Essence-Face-Wash
face lotion
http://www.vitacost.com/Desert-Essen...al-Moisturizer
clay mask
http://www.vitacost.com/Aztec-Secret...n-Healing-Clay
body lotion
http://www.vitacost.com/Alba-Very-Em...al-Body-Lotion
good luck!
~Katie

[BookGoddess]

I have mild KP on the backs of my arms if I get low on Vitamin A and essential fatty acids. Taking Vitamin A from a beta carotene source doesn't help me. I find taking cod liver oil helps. I also like Blue Ice's CLO. Nordic Naturals has a good CLO and Omega 3 fish oils that are flavored and not fishy tasting.
Alpha hydroxy type products that shed the outer layer of the skin helps too but I would recommend you look at the nutrition angle to get to the root of the problem.

[Siennaflower]

My dd has terrible KP on her arms and legs and a small amount on both cheeks. I found that smearing on CA Baby Calming Moisturizing Cream on the area after a bath cleared it right up. There is a similar lotion but it doesn't work as well as the cream.