Body acne sucks.
Amiright?
Fortunately, I have never suffered from it as badly as my cousin does, but I have had issues with it since I was a teenager. For me, it’s mostly concentrated on my upper back and chest, but I know people who have it on their arms, lower back, and bum as well.
It must be horrible.
The good news is that we’ve come a long way in understanding acne since most of us were kids, and today I’m sharing 6 of my best tips to help you (and your teenager) treat, prevent, and hide body acne.
You’re welcome!
1. Avoid potential triggers
While genetics likely plays a role in the development of body acne, it’s important to identify and avoid other possible triggers, including:
-Shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and detergents
-Body lotions and perfumes
-Hair products (sprays, mousses, etc.)
-Tight-fitting clothing, athletic gear, backpacks, and purse straps
I always try to wash my back and chest after I wash my hair and lather up with my favorite body wash, and I try to make a habit of wearing a cotton tee-shirt while applying styling products to my hair to avoid as much contact with problem areas as possible.
2. Hit the shower after the gym
If you have a tendency to sweat like a man when you work out like I do, make sure you time your gym visits so you can properly cleanse your skin afterwards to keep it clean and free of bacteria.
3. Try at-home remedies
If your body acne isn’t severe, consider trying some at-home and over-the-counter remedies that aren’t overly harsh on your skin, like applying cider vinegar, tea tree oil, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid.
I did a bit of poking around online, and I found a great tutorial by ItsMyRayeRaye on YouTube that’s filled with ideas, as well as application instructions. Check it out below!
4. Visit your dermatologist for something stronger
Benzoyl peroxide has always been my go-to product for bad breakouts, but when I was a hormonal (and very self-conscious!) teenager and over-the-counter strength products weren’t working for me, my mother made an appointment with a dermatologist. During my initial visit with him, I was prescribed a strong ointment to apply to my back each night before I went to bed, and I saw results almost instantly. Naturally, I have no idea what that product was called now, but I highly recommend investing in an appointment with a dermatologist as one trip could totally change your life.
5. Prevention, prevention, prevention!
Once you have your body acne under control, it’s important to figure out what preventative measures work with your body to keep it from returning. This may be as easy as following a good hygiene routine, avoiding contact with irritants, or applying over-the-counter or dermatologist prescribed medications a couple of times a week. All you need to do is figure out what works for you and stick to it!
6. Learn the art of hiding acne through makeup
Face and body acne is a very difficult thing to deal with. Not only is it painful, but it can also lead to self-esteem issues, particularly in the younger crowd. The good news is that makeup has come a long way since I was a teen, and there are very few things makeup can’t cover. Take a look at my post on how to hide blemishes and acne for some great pointers! The tutorials in the post are for face acne, but can be easily used on any areas of your body.
I also found some great tips and tricks to help you feel more comfortable wearing open back shirts, prom dresses, and swimsuits if you suffer from back acne by Cassandra Bankson on YouTube. Cassandra has suffered really badly from acne and has so many great tips, so make sure to give this one a watch!
If you liked this post, you’ll love my Makeup & Manis board on Pinterest. It’s filled with my favorite beauty products, hacks, and tutorials, and it has heaps of fantastic makeup tips and tricks, too! You can check it out below!