Frequently asked questions
What exactly is strawberry skin, and what causes it?
Strawberry skin isn’t a diagnosable skin issue, but rather a nickname for skin that has a bumpy texture with small dark spots resembling the seeds on a strawberry. The scientific term for this is keratosis pilaris, says Dr. Engleman. “With keratosis pilaris, dead skin cells form tiny plugs within the hair follicles, creating rough, dry, sandpaper-like bumps that commonly appear on the arms and thighs,” she explains.
A few things can lead to strawberry skin. Beyond the natural buildup of excess keratin that plugs the hair follicles and produces that bumpy texture—a.k.a. keratosis pilaris—another major culprit is shaving and ingrown hairs, says Dr. Garshick. “Dry skin can also make the appearance more noticeable by accentuating roughness,” she adds.
Does moisturizing strawberry skin help?
You might think that regular exfoliation improves strawberry skin. While this is true, both of our expert dermatologists say keeping skin moisturized is just as, if not more, beneficial. “Applying a rich cream helps soften the skin, support the barrier, and make the bumps look and feel less prominent,” says Dr. Engleman. Dr. Garshick mentions it’s a good idea to select creams that combine deep hydration with gentle exfoliating ingredients for a two-in-one treatment.
Still, if you feel like you need extra exfoliating power, the First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub is a wonderful option to add to your routine. This blends physical and chemical exfoliation in a restorative vitamin-packed gel to address stubborn uneven texture and rough bumps without stripping skin of moisture.
What ingredients should I look for to help strawberry skin?
You’ll want to look for moisturizing creams that offer a mix of gentle exfoliators and barrier-supporting hydrators. On the exfoliation front, Dr. Garshick recommends sticking with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as lactic and glycolic acids, because they “help dissolve dead skin cells on the surface and improve texture.” For extra stubborn strawberry skin, opt for beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), like salicylic acid, that “penetrate into pores to help clear buildup.” Urea is another stellar ingredient approved by both our experts, as it hydrates and exfoliates at the same time.
When it comes to hydration, Dr. Garshick says to prioritize nourishing formulas made with ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to “help replenish moisture and support the skin barrier to minimize irritation.”
How long does it take to see results on strawberry skin?
Both of our experts agree that treating strawberry skin requires patience. “With consistent treatment, patients may begin to see smoother, softer skin within four to six weeks, although more substantial improvement can take several months,” says Dr. Engleman. “Strawberry skin can be persistent, so a long-term maintenance routine is generally necessary.” Keeping one of the best moisturizers for strawberry skin in your body care rotation is a simple way to manage symptoms and maintain smooth skin.
We enlisted Glamour contributors who struggle with strawberry skin to test the best moisturizers for strawberry skin. To select which lotions to test, we scoured online reviews and spoke with our dermatologist experts to find their recommendations. From there, we selected over a dozen moisturizers that were then integrated into our routines. Over the course of a month, our testers smoothed these lotions all over their body, taking notes on ingredients, texture, and efficacy in addressing their skin concerns. The formulas that made our list were selected after careful testing due to the fact they effectively smoothed skin, minimized bumps, and boosted hydration for a soft, healthy finish.
