When people talk about acne, they often discuss the type that occurs on your face and neck. Certainly, this is a very common place to get acne, and it’s one of the most obvious, since your face is one of the first things people see when they meet you. However, there is another type of acne that is still embarrassing and doesn’t always get as much attention: body acne.
What is Body Acne?
Before we talk about how to get rid of body acne, let’s talk about what causes it. Just like acne on your face, body acne occurs when pores get clogged. You have pores all over your body—they are the way that your body cools off by sweating—and just like the ones on your face, those body pores can also get clogged with bacteria, dirt, dead skin cells, and oil. When that happens, the pores become inflamed as your body works to clear our whatever is clogging the pore(s). That inflammation can result in a variety of acne, including:
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Cysts
- Papules
- Pustules
Here are four ways you can fight body acne effectively.
1: Keep Your Skin Clean
One of the best ways to fight body acne is to make sure that the things that could clog your pores get cleaned off regularly. Showering regularly and washing with a high-quality body cleanser can help keep dirt and bacteria away and exfoliate the surface of your skin to remove dead skin cells and excess oil.
For some, though, daily cleansing will not be enough. If that is the case, you can add an acne-fighting body cleanser to your daily shower routine. These cleansers contain special ingredients like salicylic acid to dry out the oils that could lead to acne.
2: Use Acne-Friendly Products
Beyond your daily cleaners, it’s also important to pay attention to the ingredients in your other products. Everything from your sunscreen to your body lotion can have ingredients that could clog pores or make body acne worse. Look for non-comedogenic products (that means it won’t clog your pores) and avoid things with lots of artificial fragrance.
You should also use sunscreen that is specifically designed to fight acne. You can even use facial moisturizer on your chest, upper arms, back, or other areas of your body that are acne-prone. Since these products often contain acne-fighting ingredients they are better than traditional body lotion.
3: Use Spot Treatments
Sometimes even with the best efforts you won’t be able to avoid all body acne. When small zits do pop up, use the same spot treatment that you would use on your face. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide creams can be very effective at drying out and eliminating acne anywhere it appears. These creams are much better than trying to pop the zits, which can lead to permanent scarring and skin damage.
4: Wear Breathable Fabrics
The fabrics you wear could be making acne worse, especially if they don’t breathe well. Tight clothing that traps dirt and moisture next to your skin can cause irritation and keep dirt and oil in close contact with your pores all day. Cotton fabrics are a better option than spandex, wool, or other synthetic fabrics, especially in the summer months.
Talk to a Skin Specialist
If you still struggle with body acne, talk to the skin care specialists at Jil Goorman Beauty today to get a skincare routine that will help you avoid acne in the future.