Bumpy skin may appear on dry areas of the body like elbows and knees. They usually feel rough and dull-looking.
Rough and bumpy skin may happen for many reasons:
-Irritation from specific ingredients or products.
-Compromised skin barrier
-Dehydration and lack of moisture.
-This may affect any area in the body especially during cold weather, if a person takes long hot showers, or uses harsh body washes and soaps.
Preventing and treating rough bumpy skin:
-
Apply a moisturizing lotion or cream on dry rough areas regularly. Look for hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane.
-
Avoid long hot showers, sulfates, harsh generic soaps, or heavily-fragranced body washes because they can significantly contribute to skin irritation.
-
Apply an occlusive or an ointment on severely dry areas after using a moisturizer to help lock in moisture like petroleum jelly.
-
Exfoliate regularly to help get rid of dead skin cells and promote skin renewal using AHA’s, BHA’s, or PHa’s. You can also use physical (salt, coffee, and sugar-based) scrubs, but they may be too harsh on sensitive skins.
-
Rough dehydrated skin may suffer from a disrupted skin barrier. Look for soothing and nourishing ingredients like panthenol, Centella Asiatica, ceramides, and fatty acids.