How to Prevent Body Acne
Body acne most commonly occurs during puberty but that doesn’t mean it can’t affect anyone at any age. Chances are, you’ve experienced some form of body acne as an adult as well. According to PubMed Central, it’s the eighth most common skin disease in the world. That number is increasing over time, more so in females. If you're someone who’s dealing with body acne, it's a completely normal thing many others experience too but we’re here to help you prevent it.
What is Body Acne & How Does it Form?
In simple terms, body acne can result from excess oil production, skin inflammation, clogged pores, genetics, hormones, and stress. It can look and feel different than the acne you would typically see on the face. Most common types of acne breakouts on the face are cystic acne, whiteheads, or blackheads. Body acne most commonly shows up as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, or cysts.
Body acne is most prevalent on areas of your body that are prone to getting oily like the chest or back. More oil creates an opportunity for bacteria to grow, which can cause inflammation and acne. Other factors can include tight clothes or shaving, which both can cause irritation leading to body acne.
What Areas Does Body Acne Occur?
One of the most frustrating issues with acne is that it can occur anywhere on your body, not just your face. It can form anywhere your skin has hair follicles. The most common areas where acne occurs are your face, chest, shoulders, and upper back. There are oil glands all over your body, but these areas produce the most oil. Body parts other than your face can be more prone to acne because they are often covered by clothing that can rub or trap sweat and cause additional irritation.
Depending on where you’re experiencing acne, there are different names for it. Chest acne is folliculitis, which is caused by oil, dead skin that hasn’t been properly exfoliated, or dirt. It can appear as small red bumps from irritated hair follicles. Dermatitis is another common type of acne that results from irritated skin from sweat rubbing against clothing. According to Mayo Clinic, “it has many causes and forms and usually involves itchy, dry skin or a rash.”
How Do I Prevent Body Acne?
There are a few measures to take to prevent body acne from occurring. First, ensure you directly shower any time after you sweat. If you can’t immediately shower, change your clothes. Lingering sweat will increase your chances of body acne. Also take precaution when shaving. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, improper shaving can cause acne by damaging your hair follicles.
Second, proper exfoliating two to three times per week with a product like our Vitamin C Body Scrub is necessary in preventing skin outbreaks to free your hair follicles of any dirt or residue. It’s packed full of powerful natural ingredients such as turmeric and echinacea that not only prevent body acne, but also help with blemishes and scars. If you have existing acne, don’t exfoliate over it as the pimples may pop and become infected. After exfoliating with our Vitamin C Body Scrub, use the Vitamin C Body Butter to keep your skin hydrated. Dry skin may be more prone to irritation and breakouts.
If you’re experiencing severe body acne, make sure you talk to a doctor. If you have mild or moderate occasional acne, try using ingredients on the infected area like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or alpha-hydroxy acids. All these ingredients kill acne-causing bacteria.
What is a Simple Routine to Prevent Body Acne?
- Always wash with soap and water.
- Try using a soap infused with anti - microbial ingredients like those in our Artisan Vitamin C Soap, which is infused with non-comedogenic oils and is safe for sensitive skin. It’s completely natural and has no extra chemicals or ingredients that may be more irritating on your skin.
- Exfoliate with our Vitamin C Body Scrub two to three times per week. Exfoliating will remove dead skin and bacteria, which will reduce the chance of clogged pores, which may lead to breakouts.
- Upon thoroughly cleansing your skin, follow up with our Vitamin C Body Butter for ultimate hydration. Do not use in excess as any product overly used can mix with dirt and cause clogged pores and breakouts.
As you can see, body acne is a common skin issue, but the good news is there are a few ways to prevent it. Ensuring you stick to a great cleansing and exfoliating routine will protect your skin while making it looks its best. Browse our site and check out the great products we have to offer for everything you need to prevent body acne!
