May 23, 2024
Categories
Skin Care
Face breakouts often get the most attention, but if you’ve had acne on your face, you’ve probably had pimples below your chin too. Breakouts anywhere can be annoying, painful, and stressful. Since body acne isn’t always the same as facial acne, here’s a simple guide to what causes body blemishes, how they differ from face acne, and how to treat them.
Table of Contents
– What is body acne?
– What causes body acne?
– How to treat body acne
– Pimples on the waistline
What is body acne?
Body acne is exactly what it sounds like: pimples that appear anywhere besides the face — like the back, neck, chest, shoulders, arms, or other areas. These breakouts show up in similar ways to facial acne: oily skin, blackheads, scarring, and pimples. Body acne is most common on the torso because that area has more hair follicles and more oil- and sweat-producing glands. Body pores and hair follicles are also larger than those on the face, and the skin on the back is thick, so dirt and oil can get trapped more easily and clog pores.
How to improve the look of back, shoulder, and chest acne
Eminence Organics lead skin care trainer Natalie Pergar explains that body and facial acne start for the same reasons: “Body acne is caused by the same factors as facial acne — bacteria, overactive oil glands, and excess dead skin cells.” When oil and dead skin clog a pore and mix with acne-causing bacteria, the area reacts and you get pimples, blackheads, redness, or cysts. A few extra things commonly make body breakouts worse:
1. Shampoo and conditioner
Believe it or not, hair products can add to body acne. When you rinse shampoo or conditioner, leftover product can run down your back and clog pores. Because the back is hard to reach, you may miss some residue during your rinse. Try these tips:
– Rinse shampoo and conditioner off to the side.
– Wash your body after rinsing your hair to catch any leftover product.
– Use a clean body brush to reach hard-to-see spots.
– Dry off fully with a clean towel.
2. Sweaty, tight workout clothes
Sweaty, tight clothes are a common cause of body acne. Tight fabrics trap sweat and bacteria on the skin, which can clog pores. Friction from clothes or sports gear can also irritate the skin and make acne worse. To reduce this: wear looser, breathable workout clothes when you can and change out of sweaty gear and shower right after exercising.
3. Dirty shower tools
Wet loofahs, damp towels, and moist bath brushes can hold bacteria and undo the benefits of a good wash. Let these items dry between uses, use a clean towel each time, and replace loofahs every three weeks. If you like to exfoliate, consider using a body scrub instead of a loofah.
How to treat back, shoulder, and chest acne
Body acne can be harder to treat than facial acne. Hair follicles and pores are spaced further apart and the skin is thicker, so products can take longer to work. Here are practical adjustments to your routine that can help reduce breakouts on your back, chest, shoulders, and elsewhere.
1. Avoid creamy body washes
The skin on your back has more oil and sweat gland activity and is often the least cleaned area because it’s hard to reach. Skip ultra-creamy body washes and use treatments with active ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid (an AHA that helps remove dead skin), or lactic acid (a gentler AHA). Facial acne cleansers are usually safe and effective on the chest, back, and arms. If you have sensitive skin, choose a gentler option. Using a long-handled sponge or body brush helps reach all areas.
2. Moisturize — lightly
Even oily, acne-prone skin needs moisture. If your skin gets too dry, oil glands can overproduce sebum and make breakouts worse. Use a lightweight lotion instead of rich creams made for dry skin to keep moisture balanced. A probiotic-based light moisturizer can help clear the look of problem skin while minimizing clogged pores.
3. Spot-treat blemishes
Spot treatments that work on the face can be used on the back, chest, and shoulders. Salicylic acid is especially useful for body blemishes — it clears clogged pores and helps prevent new breakouts. Unlike benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid won’t bleach fabrics. Look for spot treatments with a light, spreadable texture for easy application on larger areas.
4. Fade dark marks
Skin on the back heals more slowly and is more likely to scar, so it’s important not to pick or squeeze spots. If you do, apply a brightening serum quickly to help fade dark marks and balance skin tone.
5. Schedule a back facial
Facials for the back can help clean areas you can’t reach at home. Professional treatments offer deeper cleansing, stronger exfoliation, and extractions to speed up cell turnover and clear clogged pores.
How to get rid of pimples on your waistline
Pimples can show up on the waistline, often due to tight clothing and other factors. Here’s what commonly causes them and how to prevent them.
Causes of waistline pimples
– Tight-fitting clothing: Tight workout clothes or gym wear trap sweat and rub against the skin, causing friction and clogging pores. Choose breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics and shower soon after exercise.
– SLS in shampoos and washes: Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) can be harsh and strip natural oils, leaving skin dry and irritated. Dry, irritated skin can overcompensate by producing more oil, which can clog pores.
– Damp, unclean sponges and loofahs: These can harbor bacteria, mold, and mildew. Using them transfers microbes to your skin and can cause infections and clogged pores. Keep tools clean and dry or replace them often.
– Laundry detergent residue: Detergent left in clothing can irritate the skin, especially where fabric rubs against the body. Use hypoallergenic, fragrance-free detergents and make sure clothes are well rinsed.
If you want product ideas, there are recommendations and video guides available showing the best options for treating waistline pimples.
Want to learn more about body acne? Visit our spa locator to find an authorized Eminence Organics Spa Partner near you.