Hey skin stars! If you’re struggling with body acne, read this.
Body acne can be frustrating to deal with, especially during the warmer months. Typically caused by clogged pores, these blemishes can appear anywhere, from your face to your back to your chest. But we don’t want to suffer anymore!
We got the tips from Dr. Costi on how to treat it and prevent these breakouts, and to learn about which products to incorporate into our routine to help keep your skin looking clear.
“Body acne” is a sort of catch-all term used to describe breakouts that occur somewhere other than your face. While body acne can technically crop up anywhere, the most common areas include the shoulders, back, and chest—in other words, areas that have a high concentration of sebaceous glands. Body acne isn’t cause for concern in and of itself, but it can be frustrating to deal with, especially if it’s persistent.
In general, acne on the body is similar to acne on the face with causes varying from inflammation, increased oil production, hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells, and irritation of the follicle by a specific acne-causing bacterium called Cutibacterium. In addition to these four factors, body acne is particularly triggered by sweat or oil, and mainly that’s why it gets aggravated in summer and it’s also more common among athletes who consistently sweat.
Another cause might be rapid hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause, and perimenopause which can also contribute to body acne because the oil glands become hyperactive during these transitional periods.
If you’re prone to body acne, daily showering is important — particularly right after exercising. Additionally, using a gentle, acne-fighting body wash infused with ingredients such as bacteria-killing benzoyl peroxide and exfoliating glycolic and salicylic acids is beneficial for treating acne and reducing the appearance of dark spots over time.
However, Dr. Costi recommends you don’t go overboard with cleansing or using harsh products as this can disrupt the skin microbiome and lead to increased irritation and inflammation that worsens body acne.
“Contrary to what many people believe, acne is not a sign of dirty or unhygienic skin,” explains Dr. Costi. “So if you try to scrub it away like it’s dirt to deeply clean the skin, you will be doing more harm than good.”
In addition to acne-specific body washes, leave-on topical treatments can be effective in treating flare-ups. As per Dr. Costi, they provide sustained anti-bacterial action and also has ceramides to help nourish the skin, adding that it can be used up to twice daily in those whose acne is flaring.
Nourished, hydrated skin with an intact barrier is your best defense when it comes to acne and other skin conditions. In addition to drinking enough water for overall wellbeing and avoiding over-cleansing, Dr. Costi recommends sealing in moisture on the skin with acne-friendly, skin barrier-supportive serums and lotions. A gentle, nourishing moisturizer with prebiotics and ceramides can help rebalance the microbiome.
If you’re suffering from a skin care recurring problem, remember beauties: your best solution is to see your dermatologist who will set for you a personalized skin care routine that goes with your lifestyle and desired results.
Book your consultation today and get the skin you deserve!
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