Bumps on Skin

Patches of tiny, red, hard bumps on arms and other parts of the body are sure signs of a skin issue often referred to as “chicken skin.” Getting these pesky bumps on skin under control is easier than you think, and it all starts with knowing what causes them, as well as what products you should and shouldn’t use. Paula’s Choice Skincare brings you the best research-based, proven solutions for bumpy skin.

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Causes of Bumps on Skin (AKA Chicken Skin)

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel and Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA laying on top of a creamy, beige background This type of bumpy skin is believed to be caused by a buildup on the surface of skin, which results in clogged pores. The best way to get to the root of the problem is to use a leave-on exfoliant that contains salicylic acid (BHA). BHA not only removes built-up dead skin, it also exfoliates deep inside pores, dissolving the hard clogs that cause these bumps on skin to appear in the first place, and it’s even suitable for those with keratosis pilaris.

Bumpy Skin Relief

Paula's Choice RESIST BHA 9 Treatment laying uncapped next to three liquid drops of the product on a beige background At Paula’s Choice, we have several BHA options to relieve bumpy skin. The different textures, delivery systems and concentrations of our BHA products allow you to customize based on your personal preferences and skin’s needs.

Weightless Body Treatment with 2% BHA is our most popular solution for bumpy skin. The lightweight lotion texture makes it easy to spread over targeted areas, while delivering a dose of oil-free hydration at the same time.

CLEAR Acne Body Spray offers a unique way to zero in on bumpy skin and body acne in those hard to reach areas. Its sprayer works from any angle and mists a weightless veil of 2% BHA so you can apply it quickly anywhere you need it.

RESIST BHA 9 is our highest concentration formula and works great for extra stubborn bumps on skin. If you need fast results, this is the product to try.

What about alpha hydroxy acids (AHA)? AHAs exfoliate skin, but primarily on the surface, not deep in the pore. While BHA works better for most people, some find their bumpy skin actually responds better to AHAs. In that case, Skin Revealing Body Lotion with 10% AHA is the ideal choice.

More Bumpy Skin Tips

In addition to the advice above, it’s vitally important to keep bumpy skin calm and comforted. BHA has natural soothing properties so you’ll already be one step ahead, but you must also steer clear of anything that will aggravate the bumps and take precautions to minimize clogs.

Don’t try to scrub the bumps away or pick at them; that will just make the bumpy skin look more irritated.
Avoid abrasive loofahs and cleansing brushes with stiff bristles. They can damage skin and make skin redder, not better.
Toss your bar soap. The ingredients that keep bar soaps in their solid form can clog pores, leading to more bumps on arms, legs, etc. This is true even for soap-free bar cleansers.
Switch to a lighter weight lotion rather than a thick, heavy body cream which can make “chicken skin” worse.

While the advice above works great for most bumps on skin, if you still find yourself struggling and suspect you might be dealing with another skin condition such as milia, consult your dermatologist.