Don't Let Body Acne Get in the Way of Having a Great Summer!

For anyone who's dealt with breakouts on the neck, back, arms, or chest, you know that body acne is much more difficult to get rid of than pimples or blackheads on the face. Even with proper treatment, it can be stubborn and hard to control. The reason behind the fact that body acne is more difficult to treat is that there are more hair follicles and more pores to be clogged on the back. A proper hygiene and skincare routine is also less freque for the body. These types of breakouts can have a major impact on your self esteem, especially during the summer months when swimsuits and other light clothing make body acne more visible.

If you're dealing with breakouts across large areas of your body, take comfort in knowing that you're not alone and that there are ways to deal with it! If you're ready to make a change, here are some tips to help keep your body acne under control this summer.

Shower regularly.

Summer and sweat go hand-in-hand, which can spell trouble if you're dealing with body acne. This sticky substance has a tendency to gather dirt and debris, and when enough accumulates, it can lead to clogged pores and increased acne problems.

If you're spending lots of time outdoors during these sunny months, be sure to shower off regularly to prevent sweat from negatively impacting your skin. However, the process is a bit more complex than it might seem.

Before you step into the bathroom for a long, steamy shower, consider how it can affect your body acne. While hot water may be soothing for sore muscles, it's actually quite bad for your skin-it strips away too much of the essential skin oil (known as sebum) that your skin produces to keep itself healthy and hydrated. When your skin becomes too dry, it overcompensates by producing more sebum, which can then clog your pores even more than they already are! In addition, dead skin cells may add to the clogging mix. Finally, hot water can irritate and inflame preexisting body acne, which is not only painful but may also lead to intensified breakouts.

This doesn't mean you have to suffer through an ice cold shower (although that may feel great during these hot months)-find a nice, lukewarm temperature that is bearable but still gentle on your skin. Taking a shower before bed ensures that your skin is clean and that your sheets do not accumulate excess dirt and bacteria.

Don't neglect your towel.

After a shower, think before you reach for a towel-just how clean is it? Like sweat, towels have a tendency to trap debris and bacteria. If you're drying off with one that's used and dirty, not only are you allowing these substances to come into contact with your skin, you're actually rubbing them in! Using a fresh towel each time reduces the chance that any unwanted grime makes your body acne worse than it has to be.

Similarly, bed sheets can harbor unwanted dirt and bacteria left over from sweat, especially during these hot summer nights. If possible, be sure to switch them out at least once or twice a week.

Treat your body as gently as your face.

Since the rest of your body is not typically as sensitive as your face, you might think that powerful cleansing treatments are okay-especially since body acne is so stubborn. However, products like these will leave your arms, back, neck, and chest dry and irritated.

You probably already know to avoid harsh chemicals such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid-both of which can over-dry your skin and cause allergic reactions.

However, even more innocent-sounding treatments, like exfoliation, can cause problems. While the exfoliating process of removing dead skin cells can be beneficial in keeping your pores unclogged, daily exfoliation or scrubbing too hard can cause irritation and over-dry your skin, initiating more sebum production in response.

Moisturize.

We often think that creams and lotions are only for the face and...women. WRONG! To keep your skin healthy, you need to keep it moisturized by applying a non-comedogenic moisturizer to your entire body, whether you are a man or woman.

Don't wait until summer to start treatment.

As we already stated, body acne is usually more persistent than facial acne and as a result, it will take more time to treat. Getting rid of breakouts on your neck, chest, arms, and back can take more than twice as long as treating facial acne. So, if you want an acne-free body this summer, start early!

Body acne is truly a year-round problem, even if things get more difficult during the summer. This is because, at its root, acne is not a weather problem-it's a hormonal problem. When your body releases too much androgen into your bloodstream, this may send signals to your skin's sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. As you already know, too much skin oil can clog your pores and create a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Until you do something about this underlying issue, your body acne problems are likely to persist.

Luckily, AcnEase can help. It's a natural and gentle treatment that will buffer your sebaceous glands from the impact of hormonal imbalance without affecting hormone levels, so that your sebum production stays in check.

While beating body acne is still an uphill battle, AcnEase can help make the fight a little easier!

With a promise of clear skin,
Dr. A