Getting Rid of Body Acne for Good

Acne is one of the most common and bothersome skin conditions and most people experience some form of acne at one point or another in their lives.

While many cleansers and products on the market tend to focus on eradicating breakouts on the face, many people also experience skin breakouts on the body.

Where?

The most common areas for acne skin breakouts on the body (other than the face) are your chest, back, and shoulders. This is due to the fact that these areas of the body have higher concentrations of sebaceous follicles and oil-producing glands.

Causes

Regardless of where it is on the body, all acne is caused by a small infection within the sebaceous gland (oil gland).

Essentially, the glands that produce and excrete your natural oil onto the surface of your skin become clogged with excess oil, dead skin, sebum, and bacteria. These elements multiply and form into blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or lead to more severe infections and create painful, cystic lesions beneath the surface of the skin.

X-Factors

Whether or not this occurs is influenced by a number of factors:

• Some people are genetically predisposed to back acne and skin breakouts on the body.
• Hormonal fluctuations can increase acne breakouts.
• Medications, particularly those containing corticosteroids, androgens, or lithium are known to worsen acne.
• A diet high in sugar and alcohol consumption can also increase the risk of acne breakouts.

Heat and humidity can increase sweat on the surface of the skin. This means more oil and the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. This factor is even more pronounced in an environment which is hot and also greasy, such as a restaurant kitchen.

Getting Rid of It

When dealing with back or body acne, look for mild exfoliants and not harsh abrasives.

Gentle Exfoliation

There are products for body acne, but the best body acne solution is a lathering cleanser with a mild exfoliant.

A good facial cleanser can act as a body acne cleanser. However, it’s best to avoid cleansers that are overly abrasive or contain fragrances, dyes, or microbeads, because scrubbing the skin too hard or over-cleansing can actually make your problem worse.

It’s also a good idea to use a loofah or soft washcloth to apply your body acne cleanser, but nothing too harsh.

Change Those Sheets

Dirty bedding and sheets that aren’t washed regularly tend to collect dead skin cells, sweat, dirt, and oil that can be easily transferred onto your skin during sleep. Try to find lightweight, moisture absorbing sheets (like cotton) and wash them regularly.

Dress for Success

Minimize acne breakouts by wearing clothing that will keep moisture off the surface of the skin. Cotton is generally the best for skin that is sensitive, irritated, or acne-prone. For exercising, look for clothes that allow the skin to breathe.

It’s also a good idea to avoid laundry additives that may leave residue on your clothing, as these can irritate the skin and cause acne breakouts.

Healthy Lifestyle

Avoid fatty junk food and stress to minimize breakouts. These factors can aggravate existing acne problems. A healthy balance and approach to daily life can make a big difference.

Leave-on Ingredients

Use a gentle body moisturizer that contains a non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) oil on areas prone to acne breakouts. A mild facial moisturizer is a safer bet and it will also provide nutrients to calm and heal your skin.

Sweat and Shower

Always make sure to shower immediately after working out or playing sports in order to get the sweat and bacteria off the surface of your skin.

The same goes for avid swimmers to make sure you wash off skin-irritating chemicals from a swimming pool.

Weekly Treatment

You can also do a weekly chest and back acne treatment of Beta Hydroxy Acid or Alpha Hydroxy Acids. These will help exfoliate the skin more significantly, helping keep your pores clear and providing good surface cell turnover.

These tips and habits should help to avoid bacteria and oil that leads to body acne. We want to keep your pores clear, skin clear, and body healthy. Skin care goes beyond the face and oily skin in one area can spread without treatment or changing any bad habits.

Source: Facing Acne