What should you know about face skin keratosis pilaris?

On the face, keratosis pilaris may look like tiny skin-coloured or reddish bumps, often near the cheeks or jaw. It results from keratin plugging follicle openings rather than poor hygiene. Dry weather, friction and irritating products can make the roughness more noticeable. It can resemble acne, milia or ingrown hairs, so a clinician should check a persistent, painful or unusual rash instead of assuming every bump is keratosis pilaris.

Use a mild cleanser, lukewarm water and a fragrance-free emollient. Products containing ingredients that soften or loosen surface keratin may help, but introduce one product at a time and stop if burning or marked redness develops. A clinician may prescribe a topical retinoid for selected cases. Avoid harsh scrubbing, squeezing and rough exfoliating tools, which can inflame the follicles and leave darker marks. Chemical peels or laser hair removal are not interchangeable treatments; suitability depends on the diagnosis, skin tone and the area involved.

Seek review if bumps become painful, pus-filled, rapidly spreading, intensely itchy or associated with swelling around the eyes. Arrange an appointment when home care has not helped, the pattern is changing, or you are unsure whether the bumps are acne, ingrown hairs or another condition. Prompt care is needed for facial swelling with breathing difficulty.

Ask whether the bumps fit keratosis pilaris, which moisturiser or retinoid suits your skin, how often to apply it, and how to reduce irritation. Ask whether a procedure could worsen colour changes and what improvement to expect.