Before we share some skin care tips for this problem, here’s what you need to know about body acne.
It is a widespread reality that a lot of people struggle with. It can be stubbornly hard to avoid and treat. With summers approaching, body acne can commonly occur on the chest, shoulders, upper arms, and yes, even your butt. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, your body can quickly develop acne in these places or any other place where sweat and dirt can accumulate.
What causes body acne?
Body acne is caused primarily by the same factors that trigger face acne. Essentially, all acne can be traced back to the accumulation of excess secretion from oil glands, acne-causing bacteria, and dead skin cells. When oil and dead skin cells get trapped within our pores, they form a blackhead, which can then create an inflamed pimple if bacteria invade it.
Where does it occur?
Body acne is more commonly found on the upper half of the body than the lower half due to the presence of many sebaceous glands that produce sebum or oil. All body acne does not necessarily respond to the same treatment. The lower half of your body has relatively slower circulation so naturally acne takes longer to heal.
What are some tips to avoid body acne through our lifestyle?
- A simple skin care tip is to avoid tight clothing. Synthetic materials, backpacks, purse straps, sports equipment, excess sweating due to workouts, or too much time in the sun can all contribute to it.
- Poor hygiene, stress levels, eating habits, sleeping patterns, drug and alcohol consumption are also factors that contribute to acne on the body.
- When there is friction on the skin, along with heat and sweat, the follicles get agitated, which leads to body acne. It is advisable to immediately shower after intense workouts or after being in the sun for prolonged periods to minimize the risk of developing body acne.
We know that finding a routine or treatment that works for your body acne can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially if you have tried several things that did not work out for you when it comes to skin care.
If you’re suffering from mild body acne, these ingredients will be the best kept skin care tips to help you treat it:
- Benzoyl Peroxide
- Sulfur
- Resorcinol and
- Salicylic acid
For severe bouts, your skin will need stronger formulas that target these stubborn spots all over:
- Azelaic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Topical retinoids
These ingredients are easily found in body washes, gentle exfoliants, and body moisturizers and are great for mild breakouts. If your breakouts are more severe, you may need to take the route of a prescription treatment to get better results.
If body acne bothers you, just know that you aren’t alone. Many people mention feeling embarrassed about body acne and take great pains to cover up the affected areas and look for skin care tips online. This feeling is normal, and it is healthy to acknowledge it and talk to a professional to get the best course of treatment when you can’t find a difference with at-home skin care tips from the people in our lives.
We understand going to a dermatologist or a skin esthetician may seem like a hassle. Still, it will ensure that you save money, time, and energy in the long run since you won’t end up stocking up on unnecessary products that don’t work for you and you will definitely be able to get your desired results sooner rather than later.
Our experts work round the clock to provide you with the answers that you are looking for. If you have any, leave it in the comment section below or send us a DM at @nuawoman. This is a safe space so don’t hold back on any doubts you may have about your body, skin and mind.
Read all of Dr. Pavitra Patel’s articles here.
