Essential Guide On How To Clear Out Body Acne 2024

Like facial acne isn’t challenging enough, how much more when these pests start appearing on your body?

Body acne can be just as frustrating and embarrassing as facial acne. But luckily, there are ways to treat and prevent it. 

If you’re tired of dealing with body acne and ready to take control of your skin health, you’ve come to the right place. 

In this guide, we will provide you with helpful tips on how to get rid of body acne. Let’s jump straight to it.

What Is Body Acne?

Body acne, similar to the acne you get on your face, is when you get breakouts on your body.

Common areas where you might find this acne are your:

• Back.

• Chest.

• Shoulders.

• Buttocks. 

This happens because these areas have a lot of oil glands. Which get clogged with impurities. And when this happens, acne forms.

Why Should You Remove It?

Because it can be uncomfortable and can sometimes hurt. Specially when wearing certain clothing types.

On the other hand, it can make you feel insecure. Particularly in social settings like the beach or the gym.

And sometimes, we just wanna show off our skin to let it breathe. Therefore, treating and preventing acne can be a game changer by boosting your confidence. Making your skin feel healthier and smoother.

1. The Cause Of Body Acne

1.1 Hot Showers

We often times love taking burning-hot showers.

The downside however, is that taking really hot showers can cause acne on your back or other parts of your body.

This is because hot water removes natural oils your skin produces.

These oils are essential because they help keep your skin balanced and hydrated. 

Now when they get washed away with hot water, your skin can become dry and irritated. Thus, causing your body to produce more oil, which can mix with dirt and bacteria, clogging your pores and causing to acne. 

That said, if your skin is already sensitive, the heat can cause inflammation. Making existing acne worse.

1.2 Hair Products 

During your shower, it’s easy for hair products like shampoo or conditioner to run down your back.

These products often contain ingredients like: 

• Oils

• Silicones

• Fragrances

..that can irritate your skin.

Because these ingredients are made for your hair, they can be too heavy for your skin.

When they come in contact with your back, they mix with sweat and other impurities like bacteria, which lead to acne. 

1.3 Wearing Tight Clothes

Wearing tight clothing traps sweat and oils against your skin which is a good recipe for acne.

Another thing is the surfaces you sit on.

Sitting on hard surfaces for long periods, in addition to wearing tight clothing, can cause breakouts on your buttocks. 

1.4 Your Skin Exposed To The Sun 

Sun exposure damages and causes breakouts in your skin because of the UV rays.

Your skin can also dry out because of the sun. 

Because of this, your body tries to heal itself which leads to more production of oil. 

And this excess oil, along with other bacterial enzymes, clog your pores.

1+1=2. Clogged pores = acne.

1.5 Using A Loofah Over and Over

Loofahs are great at scrubbing away:

• Dead skin cells

• Sweat

• Dirt

However, they can also trap all that gunk within their little fibers. 

This now becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Especially if they don’t dry out completely in the loofah after being used.

As you use the same dirty loofah, you’re spreading all that bacteria and mold back onto your skin. 

1.6 Eating Too Much sugar

Eating a lot of sugar spikes your blood sugar levels tremendously.

When your blood sugar skyrockets, your pancreas produces more insulin to help manage and stabilize it.

The sudden increase in insulin levels causes the oil glands to produce more than enough oil which then clogs your pores. 

Another thing is, high sugar intake causes inflammation and bloating. Therefore making your skin more sensitive. This leads to more breakouts and worsening existing acne.

1.7 It Could Be A Sign Of Diabetes

As we explained above, high blood sugar messes up your skin. Period. 

Persistent body acne might be signaling uncontrolled blood sugar levels which could mean diabetes.

Research shows that diabetes weakens your immune system. 

This often means that even the tiniest pimples on your body can grow bigger. 

If you notice similar symptoms, please see a doctor immediately. 

1.8 Genetics

If your parents or close family members naturally have body acne, chances are, you might get it too. 

This is because you could inherit traits like oily skin. 

1.9 Hormonal Changes

When your hormones are fluctuating, your body produces what’s called Androgens. This now causes your oil glands to produce more oil. Thus leading to breakouts.

2. How To Treat Body Acne?

There are several ways to get rid of body acne. But first, you have understand your skin type.

Know Your Skin Type

Dry: If your skin always feels:

• Dry

• Rough

• Itchy

• Flaky

and has smaller pores, then you have dry skin.

Oily: If your skin looks shiny and greasy all the time, is slippery when you touch and your pores are slightly visible, you have oily skin.

Combination: This is usually a combination of dry and oily. If your skin is oily on your forehead down to your nose (T-zone) but is dry on your cheeks, you have combination skin.

Sensitive: If your skin turns red because of irritations, is prone to stinging, and looks flaky and tight, you have sensitive skin. 

Normal: If your skin is neither dry nor oily, has good elasticity, and is balanced, you have normal skin.

Understanding your skin type will help you choose the kinds of products you can use. Okay this is how we’ll fight off this acne:

3. The Skincare

3.1 Use Body Cleansers with Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid

Studies show that Benzoyl peroxide and Salicylic Acid are powerful acne-fighting ingredients. 

They work by:

• Removing bacteria that causes acne.

• Reducing inflammation.

• Clearing out clogged pores. 

However, you have to be careful when using Benzoyl Peroxide. Doctors and Dermatologists suggest that after you apply it, leave it on for a few minutes before washing it off. 

Otherwise, you’re just wasting your time washing it off right away.

Benzoyl Peroxide also stains so make sure to wash it off to avoid staining your towel or clothes. 

It takes weeks to see results so make sure you stay consistent.

You can use the Pan Oxyl Acne Foaming Wash.

3.2 Exfoliate

Exfoliating helps with acne by removing dead skin cells that can clog your pores.

Exfoliation removes the top layer of dead skin. Therefore preventing it from mixing with oil and dirt.

Because of this, your skin stays clearer and less prone to breakouts. 

Product Recommendation

The Dove exfoliator body scrub is the product you will not go wrong with. 

The Coconut Flavor smells heavenly and feels good on your skin. Leaving it smooth. 

3.3 Toner

Toners are designed to get rid of traces of:

• Dirt

• Oil

• Leftover cleansers

..that might still be on your skin. 

This ensures that your pores are clean because of the Salicylic Acid included as an ingredient. 

Product Recommendations

Use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner which is also for most skin types and also This product also targets hyperpigmentation like:

• Scars

• Dark spots

..which you want to remove. 

Make sure to include cotton pads when applying the Toner.

3.4 Acne Spray (with salicylic acid)

These sprays, specifically the Nuturium Salicylic Acid Spray often contain ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

They’re also essential if a shower is too far from your shower.

So if you sweat a lot, just use these to make sure it doesn’t mix with dead skin cells.

When you do get to the shower, make sure to properly wash away all the sweat. 

3.5 Retinoid

Using a retinoid can help because they are derived from vitamin A and are known for their powerful ability to promote cell turnover.

In simple terms they help your skin shed dead cells more effectively. Thus, preventing these cells from clogging your pores.

Adapalene is essential because it treats and removes existing acne.

3.6 Moisturizer

Using a good body moisturizer helps prevent body acne by maintaining your skin’s hydration.

Therefore, your body won’t produce excess oil from drying because it’s nicely moisturized.

Product Recommendations

If you have dry skin, use the Eucerin Body Lotion.

If you have oily skin, use the CeraVe ultra-light moisturizing gel.

If you have sensitive skin, use the Aveeno daily moisturizing lotion. 

If you love sun tanning or exposing your skin to the sun, make sure you’re using sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. 

4. Other Tips Can Include

4.1 Reduce The Temperature In The Shower

I know how relaxing it is to take hot showers but it’s not worth it.

The temperature you wanna go for is lukewarm. Not too hot and not too cold.

4.2 Wash Your Hair First 

It’s best to wash your hair at the start of your shower. Thus, you thoroughly rinse the products off your hair and skin.

4.3 Wear Looser Clothing

Especially in the hot season, wear clothes that allow your skin to breathe.

Try to avoid skinny jeans, tops that grab onto your skin, or other clothing fabrics that may cause irritation on your skin.

This is so that if you do sweat, it doesn’t later clog your pores with other impurities.

4.4 Change Your Clothes

This is to help reduce the buildup of:

• Sweat

• Oil

• Bacteria

..on your skin.

During the day and night, your body sweats and it can stick to your bedding or clothes.

Now when you wear the same clothes, you’re inviting the same gunk back to your skin.

So make sure to not repeat your clothes and change your bedding at least once a week.

4.5 Stay Hydrated 

Regular hydration keeps your skin healthy and maintains your skin’s natural moisture balance. This helps regulate oil production.

Drinking enough water can also help flush out toxins from your body that may affect your skin.

4.6 Eat Healthy 

A well-balanced diet provides your skin with essential nutrients that promote your skin health.

Foods that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, like fruits and vegetables, help your skin repair itself and reduce inflammation.

4.7 Change Your Loofah

Change your loofah every now and then. Maybe after 2-3 weeks.

A pro tip would be to wash your Loofah after using it to remove all the bacteria. But just change it.

4.8 If You’re A Gym Goer,

4.8.1 Sanitize The Surfaces 

Now if you use equipment that was used by someone else without sanitizing or wiping it, that’s like begging for body acne. Especially when you’re wearing tank tops.

Wipe the surfaces of equipment to disinfect any germs or sweat to not land them on your skin.

Also, wear clothes that cover you up to protect your skin.

4.8.2 Shower Immediately After A Workout 

This is to remove sweat as soon as possible so that it doesn’t mix with dirt and clog your pores.

Also, you can use the Salicylic Spray we mentioned earlier if you’re far from the shower.

4.9 See A Dermatologist 

If you feel like you’ve tried almost everything but you see no change, seeing a dermatologist will be extremely helpful.

They provide you with personalized recommendations based on your skin type.

They can also prescribe helpful supplements and products that aren’t available over the counter.

Final Thoughts

You have to give your skin enough time to react to the products or changes you introduce to it. 

It can take a few days or even weeks to see changes. But it’s worth than doing nothing.

With the right consistency and endurance, you can achieve the best-looking skin you’ve ever had.

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