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.
