Body breakouts can be discouraging and quickly worsen in severity. You may notice one spot and, in what feels like a week, have a handful more.
Body acne can look different – cysts, little red spots, whiteheads, nodules. They are all a result of dead skin cells, oil, and sebum clogging a pore on the skin.
There are many factors involved, so let’s chat about how to prevent body acne this summer and what to do if it’s getting too difficult to manage at home.
Factors That May Contribute to Body Acne
- Hot weather. Yep, we’ve mentioned it – but why? With hot weather comes humidity and sweat, which helps make a perfect environment for body acne to form and spread.
- Changing detergent, body lotions, or body wash. New products that aren’t suited to you can cause breakouts. Inflammation contributes to forming new and worsening existing breakouts.
- An increase in hair growth can happen as a result of supplements, medications, or medical conditions. Speak to your GP about any changes you’re concerned about.
- Clothing material like polyester and polyester blends can make you extra sweaty and trap humidity. Consider swapping out to lightweight cotton for spottier seasons.
- Gym equipment can harbour acne-causing germs. Do your best to wipe down any equipment with an antibacterial spray, especially if your skin comes into direct contact with it.
- Hot showers (sorry, sorry). Hot showers strip the skin of its natural oils and good bacteria, which make up a big part of your moisture barrier.
The Good News About Managing Body Acne
Changing particular habits during the hotter months may amend the issue entirely, depending on severity.
Helpful habits include not re-wearing clothing (especially if you’re sweating or dealing with active body acne), using fresh towels every shower, showering directly after physical activity, having lukewarm showers, keeping surfaces that regularly contact your skin clean (like bedsheets), and avoiding tight clothing that causes humidity friction.
Ingredients That Help Treat Body Acne
Want to manage your body acne at home? Look out for oil-regulating niacinamide, oil-dissolvable salicylic acid (meaning it can really get into your sebum and clogged pores), and ingredients that hydrate and calm irritation, such as colloidal oatmeal, aloe, and centella asiatica.
Body Washes for Body Acne
By Will & Zo. The Here Body Wash, $49.99
Female-founded small business Will & Zo has a body wash called The Here that contains salicylic acid, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid to address blemishes while calming the skin. We had a chat with Annalise, founder of Will & Zo.
“Body acne is something that not many people talk about. About 50% of people who experience facial acne also experience body acne.
The feelings associated with body acne usually include embarrassment, confusion, frustration, and a desire to cover it up.
Body acne is usually sore, red, and inflamed. Those who experience body acne are also likely to pick at it, leaving open wounds that may lead to scarring.
A lot of products on the market are quite strong and can irritate breakouts further, causing more redness and inflammation.
Coming out of the shower feeling dry, irritated, and sore was something I wanted to change.
A big part of creating the Will & Zo products was creating a better experience for people dealing with body acne and a routine to manage it.
The cleanser is light and leaves your skin feeling hydrated, soft, and rejuvenated. The spray is refreshing and leaves your skin feeling calm and soothed.” – Annalise
Ok, sign us up. Note that many body washes geared towards breakouts aren’t designed for daily use. They aren’t part of a routine and can irritate body acne further.
Others can make your skin highly sensitive to the sun – so if your goal is to feel comfortable showing your shoulders and back day to day, keep this in mind.
Everyday By Frank Body The Clearing Body Wash, $14.00
“Made with blemish-busting salicylic acid, I go deep to slough off stubborn dead skin, reduce excess oil, and take out whiteheads and blackheads for good.
I’m hydrating, vegan, and soap-free, with clean anti-acne ingredients to remove impurities like sweat and dirt. Made with Kakadu plum, hydrating aloe vera, and vitamin B to brighten and care for your skin.” – Everyday by Frank Body
When Should You See a Doctor for Body Acne?
We asked Dr Lucinda from @todaywithdrlucinda.
Dr Lucinda regularly features on the Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast, discussing taboo topics.
“If your body acne is making you feel self-conscious or affecting your day-to-day activities (for example, feeling like you can’t wear certain clothes that expose that area), I would absolutely recommend seeing your GP.
There are so many treatment options available, and we are here to help and support you through it.”
GPs can prescribe topical treatments, oral antibiotics, suggest pharmacy products, or recommend seeing a dermatologist and provide a referral.
We hope that was helpful. What are your tried-and-true tips for managing spotty bums and backs in the hotter months?
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