Having red, inflamed acne spots on your body isn’t anything close to being comfortable or even beautiful. They can make you feel too conscious about yourself, especially if they begin to peek through your low-cut dresses and beachwear. Body acne is more common than you think. However, despite affecting a large number of people, unlike facial acne, its causes aren’t that much known.
If you frequently find yourself staring at the mirror and pondering what could have caused those pimples on your neck, back and chest, below are some of the most common causes of body acne.
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1. Wearing tight clothes can cause body acne
If you think it’s only hormones that can trigger skin breakouts- think again. Even the type of clothes you wear and their sizes can cause acne.
Tight bra straps, for example, can cause rubbing, irritation and, eventually, acne on your shoulders. Not washing your bra can also lead to breakouts in your lady areas because of the dirt, grime and bacteria that can build up.
The type of acne that results from friction, pressure and rubbing is more commonly referred to as acne mechanica. During its early stages, your skin may just feel bumpy and rough. As the condition progresses, the tiny bumps turn into inflamed and irritated blemishes.
Although using the best acne body wash can help soothe the breakouts, wearing looser clothes still makes the most effective solution.
2. Failure to exfoliate puts you at risk of breakouts
Your body, just like your face, also needs to be exfoliated once or twice a week. The routine won’t only help get rid of your dead skin cells, but it can also help speed up the skin renewal process so that newer and healthier skin can resurface.
For back acne, using a gentle-bristled brush can help reach those hard-to-reach spots on your back area. You can load up the brush with a salicylic-based cleanser to help fight bacteria, tone down inflammation and heal your acne.
In case you are struggling with neck acne, the best body wash for you would be one that contains benzoyl peroxide. This ingredient can aid in exfoliation and unclogging pores. Make sure to use a gentle motion when scrubbing as the skin on the area is a bit more fragile.
For butt acne, choose an exfoliator with Alpha Hydroxy Acids. AHA works fast so you can wear your swimsuit without feeling too conscious at the beach.
3. Exposure to the sun can lead to body acne
Uneven tan lines and burning your skin aren’t the only things you have to worry about when it comes to skin exposure. It turns out that it can cause body acne, too- at, least in some people’s belief.
You see, when the skin becomes exposed to too much sunlight, it dries out. And when the skin is dehydrated, it produces more oil in an attempt to protect itself.
Too much oil, as you probably already know, can trigger breakouts.
While there are very limited studies about the relationship of the sun and body acne, it’s best to stay safe and protect yourself. After all, too much sun exposure is also related to skin cancer.
Wear your sunscreen before heading out. Make it a habit, whether you’ll be heading to the beach or just taking a short walk in the park. Use the right amount per body area and don’t forget to reapply as necessary.
Use sun protective gears as much as possible, too. Hats, sunglasses and umbrellas can provide extra protection when your sunscreen isn’t enough.
4. Your genes can play a big role in how your skin behaves
Your genetic makeup has something to do with your chances of developing acne and how severe your breakouts will be. So, if you’re genetically predisposed, you should treat your symptoms and work on decreasing the other factors that can make things worse.
Use over-the-counter products, like sulfur-based cleansers and glycolic acid body wash, to stop your skin from breaking out. Eat the right kinds of foods and stay away from those that can trigger acne, like dairy, sweets and fatty foods.
Since your acne is caused by your own genes, do not expect to see dramatic improvements right away. It can take awhile for the change in routine and diet to take effect so be patient.
If you’re really strict about them, you will definitely see results.
5. Smelling nice can potentially give you skin problems
Body and hand lotions that smell amazing can be hard to resist. However, if you have body acne, avoiding them is extremely essential.
Although they can help you smell and feel good, these products won’t make you look good. Fragrances are common culprits of acne, especially if you have sensitive skin.
However, since moisturizing is important in getting rid of acne, you wouldn’t want to forego lotions and moisturizers altogether. For your skin type, choose products that are fragrance-free and make sure that they are only applied on areas you intend to apply them.
Your hand lotion, for example, can get into your face is you sleep with your hands tucked between your cheeks and pillow. Since hand lotions are heavier than face lotions, it can cause clogged pores and acne can happen.
Apart from fragrance, you should also avoid buying lotions and moisturizers that aren’t clearly labeled as noncomedogenic. Stick with lightweight and water-based products since they have less chances of triggering pimples.
If you like applying hand lotions at night, consider wearing a pair of moisturizing gloves to make sure no product gets into your face unintentionally.
Another thing to consider is your fabric softener. Although it can make your clothes and sheets feel extra soft and smell luxurious, they don’t have the same effect on your skin.
In fact, fabric softeners can be irritating because of the chemicals it contains. The same is true with laundry detergents.
For your skin type, it’s recommended that you skip laundry detergents and fabric softeners that are fragranced.
Abouth the Author – “Hannah Do is the founder of Thank Your Skin, a beauty blog dedicated to provide honest skin care advice and information. She aspires to help her readers achieve their most beautiful skin by sharing personal tips learned through both years of experience and thorough research. Click here to check out her latest article You can find her on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook”
