I've had KP since before I can remember and now I have it literally everywhere. Really badly. However, I've found that when I didn't shower for a few days (not out of choice, I was camping!), my skin was quite a bit smoother.
I also used to have KP really badly on my face and when I was younger my mum always used apricot scrub to try and get rid of it, though it seemed to just aggravate it.
By chance, I found that this moisturiser by Neutrogena reeeally smooths out my skin and the KP on my face (even the redness!) is barely noticeable anymore. I used to think that by washing my face everyday it would help but I've found that if I'm being lazy and skip washing my face for a day, my skin is smoother.
Have also found my skin is smoother right after I wake up and after I've had quite an active day and got my circulation going...
Sorry for the long post but I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced similar things?
Also I started taking cod liver oil about 2 months ago but am not really noticing anything...anyone know how long it takes to replenish a Vitamin deficiency (I'm testing Vitamin A/fatty acids theory).

I've gone to several dermatologists this year and all of them told me that i should avoid warm showers and baths. So, that's probably why.

I have noticed this as well. Getting the blood going seems to help KP.

fi83,

Washing can be very drying and using soap dries out our skin even more. I have started not using soap on my face or when I shower, except when it seems necessary. I agree, my skin is better when washed less, with less soap.

kebod

I would skip soap if I could, but I'm on Retin-A, and you really need to wash your face 15 minutes before you apply that, and you have to wash it off when you wake up. My cheeks get so dry, and I haven't used the Retin-A on my cheeks in almost a week. Its a paradox, acne/KP VS dry/flaky/reddish skin on my cheeks (not KPRF, well maybe but it would go away if I discontinued Retin-A, it did before).

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Chris,

Are you using a moisturizing soap? I'm sure you know that Retin-A makes your skin more suseptible to sun damage. I hope you take precautions.

kebod

whats the neutrogena wash u were using?

It's not a wash, it's a cream called "Ultimate Moisture Day Cream with Active Soy". It's for dry skin and I think the main ingredient's glycerin and it's got lots of other vitamins in it.
I find that as soon as I put it on my face, the bumps immediately smooth out! It's also reduced the redness...I think I used to have KPRF...now it's dramatically reduced!
Wish I could try it on the rest of my body but it's quite expensive (£7 for 50ml)! Though it does seem to last forever..

fi83 -- I rarely if ever use soap on my arms, legs, back, butt and stomach. Many years ago a Dr (GP) looked at my skin and said, "stop using soap, it's just drying you out." I followed her advice and found it helped me overall. I do still use Carrot soap on my face, chest and shoulders. That is suiting me really well at my age - it is not drying nor is it making me break out any more than I might. I have been able to stop using any glycolic or salicylic on those areas due to skin improvements that I believe are results from OP, fatty acid supplements and dietary improvements. I also use a sugar scrub several times a week on my skin ad I expect that helps scrub actual dirt off too. I'll use the carrot soap on arms and legs, etc... if I am truly grubby.
Regarding the Vit A thing, personally I have been seeing more direct results from oil pulling palm oil - the orange kind that comes from the fruit - even though I've been taking lots of beta-carotene for almost a year. I'm going to post more about that on the OP thread hopefully today.
I wonder if you could use an oil cleansing method on your skin since that eucerin is so expensive. Some of the Dove cleansers are very thick and lotion like too I've noticed when I've been at someone's house who has them. I avoid those because of perfumes. I have added oil to my sugar scrub sometimes recently and that leaves a noticeably moisturized and soft layer on me. anyway, someone posted about the oil cleansing method which when you think about it, most soaps are oil and salt, right? or am I oversimplifying it? - bd

johnE, any progress with the exercise?