One type of acne that doesn’t seem to get as much attention as the others is chest acne. It is easy to find information on facial acne and even back acne but acne on the chest is largely ignored. This is a very specific type of acne that has different causes and requires slightly different treatment than facial acne does.

In order to find the right chest acne treatment, it is important to consider the cause. All types of acne are related to clogged pores but pores can become clogged for different reasons. In the chest area, sweating is a common culprit of clogged pores. Both men and women naturally sweat in the chest area but women in particular suffer from this problem as a result of sweat becoming trapped inside of cleavage. For this reason back and chest acne strikes women more often than men.

The best way to treat chest and back acne caused by sweating is to avoid situations where sweat is allowed to rest on the skin for long periods of time. If you have determined that breakouts on your chest seem to follow workouts, you will have to be vigilant. This means taking a shower immediately afterward. You may want to consider showering at the gym if you don’t already. You should also always bring a dry change of clothes with you, even when you are not working out. If you are going to spend time outdoors in the heat for any reason, always have a fresh shirt on hand to change into when you notice yourself getting sweaty. Also, be sure to bring a towel to dry off the sweat. This should lead to a drastic reduction in chest pimples.

You should also make wise choices when it comes to materials if you are prone to sweating and acne on chest. Look for light, airy fabrics. Cotton is the most breathable material. You can also buy workout clothes specifically designed to whisk sweat away from the body. These can really make a big difference if sweating is the cause of your problem. In particular, avoid wearing very tight clothes that don’t allow the skin to breathe.

If you’re not particularly active and still get more than your fair share of chest pimples, it’s possible that you have a slight hormonal imbalance. Too much androgen, which is a male hormone but is also present in women, can cause oil glands to go into overdrive. This usually affects other parts of the body and face as well, so if you suspect this is the problem you should consult with a dermatologist. A hormonal imbalance is best treated internally using prescription medication.

If you’ve ruled out sweating and a hormonal imbalance, you might want to look at what products come into contact with the skin on your chest. Lotions and oils are notorious for leading to clogged pores. Suntan oils and creams in particular can cause chest breakouts so try switching to oil-free formulations and see if the situation improves. Avoid using perfumes as well. Although spray perfumes don’t usually clog pores, you could be experiencing an allergic reaction that looks like acne. Chest and neck areas are susceptible to these types of allergic reactions. You might also want to switch detergents to a type formulated for sensitive skin to rule this out as another possible cause.

In any case, try to resist the temptation to pop chest pimples because this can lead to infections and even scars. It is a lot easier to treat it when it’s in the acne stage than it is to get rid of chest acne scars. Regardless of the cause, it’s a good idea to use an anti-bacterial soap when washing the area and then dry it thoroughly. Topical treatments such as benzoyl peroxide creams can also be used but be sure to let them dry completely before getting dressed.

Having acne in the chest area can be embarrassing but solving it is fairly straightforward if you follow the above acne tips. Keep the area dry, avoid tight clothes, and stay away from perfumes and oils and you should notice a much clearer chest in no time.

Recommended Products for Chest Acne:

100% Pure Tea Tree Oil Tea tree oil is a great natural way to treat chest acne. You could mix it with water to make a spray, add some to the bath to soak, or apply it directly to problem areas.

Murad Acne Clarifying Body Spray, Step 2 Treat/Repair Many former chest acne sufferers say this is the product that finally solved their problem. It’s a handy spray that even works upside down so you can get hard-to-reach areas like your back with it. It starts to kill the acne on contact and clears up even the most stubborn cases of body acne over time.

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash for Clean, Clear Skin This is a special body wash that helps clear up acne. It’s can clear up body acne but also works well to prevent body acne from forming in the first place.

Acne is not just confined to the face, so no list of acne tips would be complete without giving advice on how to deal with acne that appears other places on the body. Unfortunately, pores can become clogged in other places on the body, leading to body acne. Body acne is most common on the chest, arms, and back. Many treatments that work on facial acne also work on body acne but it is more difficult to treat since these areas are generally clothed all day and don’t get as much chance to breathe. Here are some tips for body acne.

• Exfoliate! It is even more important to slough off dead skin from your body than it is on your face because areas of your body where acne occurs spend a lot of time inside clothing. Use a gentle scrub every other day in the shower. A homemade sugar scrub is a cheap and effective option. You could also use a loofah.
• Wash your clothes frequently. Bacteria can build up in your clothes so if you have back or chest acne, for example, be sure to wash your shirts after each use.
• Look for a cleanser that contains alpha hydroxy acid. 10% is a good amount. This is a chemical exfoliant that will help get rid of the dead skin cells that are blocking your pores. Use it every other day in the shower and follow up with a very light moisturizer.
• Do not hang out in wet clothes. After working out, take off your sweaty clothes immediately and put on something dry. Bacteria love moist environments so it’s important to keep your skin dry if you want to avoid body acne.
• Shower daily but avoid super hot water. It is important to shower to clean off your body’s oils, but you also have to be careful not to overdry the skin because then it will produce even more oil to compensate for the dryness. Use lukewarm water and avoid harsh chemicals.
• Do not use heavy creams or hair products. People with long hair are particularly prone to back acne because greasy hair serums often touch their back and clog their pores. Keep your hair in a pony tail if this is a concern for you.
• Avoid wearing lycra or other synthetic materials that don’t allow the skin to breathe. Cotton is your best bet.
• Wash your sheets frequently using gentle detergent or a detergent designed for babies. Don’t use fabric softener.