Folliculitis vs Keratosis Pilaris

How to tell the difference, and what helps both.

Folliculitis and Keratosis Pilaris (KP) are two of the most commonly confused skin concerns — both show up as small, rough bumps, often on the arms, thighs or bum, but they have different causes.

What's the difference?

• Folliculitis is inflammation or infection of the hair follicle, often from friction, sweat, shaving, or bacteria. Bumps can look red, sometimes with a visible white centre, and may feel tender or itchy.
• Keratosis Pilaris (KP) is a build-up of keratin (a skin protein) blocking hair follicles, creating small, rough, sandpaper-like bumps, usually not painful or inflamed — sometimes called "chicken skin."

They can also occur in the same area at the same time, which is part of why they're so often mixed up.

A gentle routine that supports both

Both benefit from the same core approach: gentle exfoliation to clear congested follicles, plus a barrier-supporting, non-comedogenic oil — without harsh scrubbing that can worsen inflammation.

1. Mix Pink Clay or Green Clay Bum > Beyond Mask powder with water to a soft, fluffy consistency and smooth over the area 2-3 times a week. Use light pressure — let the clay do the work rather than scrubbing hard.
2. Rinse with lukewarm (not hot) water, which can aggravate both conditions.
3. Follow with Balance Oil to calm redness and support the skin barrier, or Brighten Oil if post-inflammatory dullness or uneven tone is also a concern.
4. Be consistent, not aggressive — both conditions respond to regular, gentle care over weeks, not one intense treatment.

Why the powder-to-paste format helps here

Because our clay masks come as a dry, fine powder with no water or fillers added, you control the exact consistency — a little more water for a gentler mask, a little less for more of a scrub. That flexibility matters for reactive skin, where the same product might need to be used differently week to week.

When to see a dermatologist

If bumps are persistently painful, spreading, or not improving with gentle at-home care, a dermatologist can confirm which condition (or combination) you're dealing with and rule out other causes.