Bare Necessities: How To Clear and Control Body Acne
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Body acne is a common concern often triggered by factors like sweating, friction, and clogged pores—here are practical tips to help you keep it under control.
Shower Immediately After Activity
Don’t let dirt, sweat and sunscreen sit. Shower as soon as possible after a trip to the gym, the beach, or even the backyard. Use a cleanser formulated to address acne triggers. You’re looking for ingredients like Salycilic Acid, Lactic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, Mandelic Acid, and Retinyl Propionate.
Antibacterial Scrubs
The acne that appears on the back and chest is often cystic acne, an infection deep in the hair follicle that’s often tender and inflamed. Ignoring the issue will further irritate and increase inflammation. Use an exfoliating cleanser with antibacterial ingredients to clear the skin of pore-clogging dead skin cells.
Try BP 3% Acne Wash or Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser.
Ice, Ice Baby
Rubbing ice over your skin before applying a corrective product increases the product’s ability to work on a deeper level and perform at its maximum effectiveness. The cold also reduces inflammation and redness by constricting blood vessels. That speeds healing and improves appearance quickly. Massage cleansed skin with ice for two to three minutes up to three times a day. Your chest will be easy, but you may need some help to reach your back, or you can get creative with a pair of tongs.
Use The Sunscreen
You may be tempted to ditch the sunscreen to avoid clogging pores. Don’t. Not only do you risk a burn, you do long-term damage to skin’s underlying DNA and collagen structure and increase your changes of melanoma. And if you think the sun will help dry out and clear acne, remember that the pigmentation that it stimulates will be far more likely to leave dark pigmented spots in place of blemishes. Not much of an improvement.
Try A Back Facial
Like a professional treatment for your face, the back facial includes a deep cleansing to unclog pores, extractions, a light peel, and likely a nice massage to boot. It’s a great way to get to those hard-to-reach spots and supercharge your clear skin mission.
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