Bare Necessities: How To Clear and Control Body Acne

Just as we head into summer and it’s time to shed a few layers of clothing and show off the product of all those winter workouts, body acne starts to flare. Is this just cruel irony, or is there a scientific reason for this phenomenon? Both.

When the weather warms up you tend to sweat more and oil production increases. Put the two together and you generally get breakouts. Add some comedogenic sunscreen to the mix, and it could be full-blown bacne. Don’t despair. And don’t stop using the sunscreen. Here’s how you can dare to bare with confidence all summer long.

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 vitamin A.

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 Wash. 

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.

Get It Under Wraps

A layer of plastic wrap (yes, the stuff in the fridge covering that bowl of unknown origin) over a topical medication can make the formulation up to ten times more effective. Apply a generous layer of Vivant's BP 10% Gel Medication on the affected area. Let it dry completely before applying plastic wrap over the top. A snug t-shirt will help keep the wrap in place. Leave it for up to an hour. Be sure to avoid sensitive areas like underarms, sides and, most certainly, your face.

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.