While acne breakouts on the face tend to steal the limelight, there’s a good chance that if you’ve developed acne on your face, pimples have also appeared south of your chin. Here’s a breakdown of what causes body blemishes, how they can differ from facial acne, and some effective strategies for dealing with them.
What is body acne? | What causes acne on the body? | How to treat body acne
What is body acne?
Body acne is acne that occurs on other parts of the body besides the face, such as the back, neck, chest, shoulders, arms, or any other area where pimples can appear. These outbursts they are classified similarly to acne on your face. They are often accompanied by oily skin, scars and blackheads. While body acne can appear anywhere (apart from oil-free zones on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet), it tends to appear more often on the back, chest and shoulders where there is a greater density of hair follicles and oil-producing glands and sweat. To make matters worse, the pores and hair follicles on your body are much larger than those on your face, and the skin on your back is extremely thick. These factors increase the chance of dirt and oil getting trapped, blocking pores and causing breakouts.
How to improve the appearance of acne on the back, shoulders and chest
Eminence Organics Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar he tells us The main causes of body and face acne are synchronized: “Body acne is caused by the same factors as facial acne – bacteria, overactive oil glands and excess dead skin cells.” As with facial acne, oil and dead skin cells block a pore, mix with acne-causing bacteria, and trigger an immune response that shows up as pimples, blackheads, redness, cysts, or a combination of these. There are a few additional factors that contribute to breakouts on your back, chest, and shoulders. These include:
1. Shampoo & Conditioner
Believe it or not, staying clean can actually contribute to body acne. As you rinse shampoo and conditioner from your scalp, oils and other ingredients from your hair products can run down your back and clog pores. And the position of the body spasms doesn’t help. Unless you’re an expert contortionist, you’re likely missing bits of hair products during your daily exfoliation routine. Some tips to keep in mind:
- Rinse the shampoo and conditioner to the side
- Wash your body after your hair care ritual to make sure you get any residue left behind
- Use a clean body brush to access hard-to-reach areas
- Dry the area thoroughly with a clean towel after your shower
2. Sweaty and tight gym clothes
One of the most common causes of body acne is sweaty, tight clothing. While they may be great for the gym, clingy fabrics trap sweat and bacteria on the skin, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Natalie adds: “When acne affects the body, it’s also good to note that rubbing clothes and sports equipment can cause irritation due to the extra heat and sweat.” The best way to deal with this trigger: Opt for loose workout wear when possible, and take it off (and hit the showers) right after the gym.
3. Dirty shower accessories
Dirty shower accessories can quickly undo the good your daily cleaning does. Wet loofahs, wet towels and wet bath brushes are breeding grounds for bacteria that can compromise clean skin. You should always allow time between uses for your tools to dry, use a clean face towel each time, and if using a loofah, you should replace every three weeks. Even better, if you like manual exfoliation, ditch the loofah altogether and use one of our body scrubs instead.
How to treat acne on the back, shoulders and chest
Body breakouts can be caused by the same triggers as problematic skin on the face, but can be more difficult to improve. Because the hair follicles and pores are further apart, the skin tends to be tougher in these areas, making it difficult for topical products to penetrate the skin and work as quickly as they do on problematic facial skin.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best ways you can adjust your body care routine to combat the appearance of breakouts on your back, shoulders, chest, and beyond. Before you dive in, you can also watch this video from Natalie on how to reduce the appearance of problem skin in these areas:
1. Avoid creamy body wash
The skin on your back has more sweat and oil gland activity than anywhere else on the body, but it also happens to be the least well-cleansed area. Because of the difficulty of reaching hard-to-reach places like the skin between your shoulder blades, oil, dead skin, sweat and dirt easily accumulate and clog pores. For starters, Natalie advises avoiding super creamy body washes and opting for treatments that contain strong ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid (an AHA that dissolves dead skin cells to prevent blemishes) or lactic acid (a gentle AHA that helps smooth skin and prevent breakouts). Cleansers designed to treat acne on the face are safe and effective on the chest, back and arms. Try Acne Advanced Cleansing Foam or Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser. If you have sensitive skin, try the Kombucha Microbiome Foaming Cleanser as it offers a gentler approach to cleansing. GQ she also recommends using a long-handled scrubbing sponge or body brush to reach every nook and cranny.
Cleansers designed to help with breakouts on the face are safe and effective on the chest, back, and arms. Try Acne Advanced Cleansing Foam or Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser. If you have sensitive skin, try the Kombucha Microbiome Foaming Cleanser as it offers a gentler approach to cleansing. GQ also recommends using a long-handled cleansing sponge or body brush to reach every nook and cranny.
2. Hydration — Lightly
While it may seem like a no-brainer to add moisture to already oily, acne-prone skin, it’s a skin care step you can’t skip—even when you’re dealing with body acne. It’s a no-brainer, but less moisture can cause skin to produce more sebum that clogs pores in an effort to stay lubricated. Keeping your skin’s moisture barrier intact is essential to locking in hydration as well as protecting your pores from bacteria and other acne-causing irritants. However, not all moisturizers are made equal. Like your body wash, you’ll want to avoid rich creams designed for dry skin and instead opt for a light lotion that will keep your skin hydrated and its oil balance in check. Natalie recommends Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer to clear up the appearance of problematic skin while minimizing the appearance of clogged pores.
3. Treat blemishes
The same spot treatments you apply to your face can be used on your back, chest and shoulders. Experts agree that products containing acne-fighting salicylic acid are your best bet against body blemishes. this superstar ingredient not only clears clogged pores, but also helps prevent breakouts from recurring. With regular use, it has the power to keep skin clear and breakout-free for good. Plus: Unlike benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid is super gentle and won’t bleach fabric. When choosing the right spot treatment, we recommend reaching for products with a light but creamy texture that can be easily spread over your back, chest and shoulders.
For spot treatments, you should try the charcoal and black clay mask to draw out impurities and leave skin feeling refreshed. Additionally, Acne Advanced Clarifying Masque is a two-in-one mask that uses powerful ingredients to reduce the appearance of current blemishes and prevent future breakouts. Another great option to help the appearance of your blemishes is the Clear Skin Probiotic Mask.
A customer, Megan, says of the mask: “I couldn’t believe how much better my skin looked after using it 2 or 3 times. I am obsessed. I have oily, combination skin and it helps to hydrate as well as reduce redness. My skin is also so soft afterwards. It definitely feels like a spa treatment. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.”
4. Fade dark marks
The skin on your back, being more durable and having a slower cell cycle than the skin on your face, tends to heal more slowly. This slower healing process increases the risk of body acne scarring and prolongs the fading of dark spots. Back skin’s tendency to heal slowly and be more prone to scarring makes it especially important not to pick, squeeze or scratch in places. If you do give in to the urge, reverse the effects by immediately applying a serum like Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum. This serum helps skin look brighter and balances the appearance of congested pores.
5. Schedule a facial
Acne facials aren’t just for the face. In fact, many spas and salons now offer facials to specifically target those hard-to-reach spots that you can’t treat at home. These professional treatments not only cleanse your skin at a deeper level, but also include professional strength exfoliation and extractions to encourage skin cell renewal and clear clogged pores.
If you’re worried about back acne, see Natalie on this In The Mix video explaining how to help the appearance of “backne.”
Want to learn more about body acne? Visit our spa locator and learn more at your nearest authorized Eminence Organics Spa partner.
