Body acne - why don't we talk about this?

Your back, like your face, has numerous sebaceous glands that secrete sebum, an oily substance

 

This type of acne comes in many different forms which can be located quite literally, anywhere on the body such as on the back is otherwise known as bacne. There is also chest acne, neck acne and even arm and scalp acne! These all can be identified as body acne.

We tend to give less care on our body compared to our face and this applies the same when it comes to acne. But it is only when we get embarrassed to wear backless tops or bikini that we regret not giving proper attention to our body and end up with acne scars here and there. And let’s remember, we have less access to some parts of our body thanks to how our body has been created from the beginning.

What is causing it?

Okay, so we know we have body acne, but what in the world is causing it?! Causes for back acne, chest acne, arm acne and more can be caused by a few factors such as: 

• Friction
• Clothing detergents/fabric softeners
• Hair products
• Body wash
• Diet
• Poor Hygiene
• Hormones
• Stress
• Digestive Issues

Just like facial acne, pimples can develop due to excessive oil, the pores becoming clogged, filled with bacteria, irritation, and even poor diet and not showering after sweating or simple to infrequently.

Body and facial acne have similar underlying causes, Zits pop up as a result of excess oil production, clogged pores, and inflammation, among other factors, which are caused by things like individual genetics, hormones, and stress.

But just because you get cystic acne on your chin or whiteheads around your nose doesn't necessarily translate to the type of breakouts you'll see on the body. 

Body acne tends not to show up as frequently as blackheads, but instead can be whiteheads, pimples, and cysts

It often occurs in areas that can get oily, like the center of the chest and upper back. Higher oil levels make an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, leading to inflammation and subsequent acne.

The buttocks are also a common area due to irritation from sweating and tight-fitting clothes. Legs can be prone to acne after shaving due to irritation around hair follicles

Acne on the chest and back is called folliculitis, and it comes from pores that are clogged with oil, dead skin, or other debris, resulting in inflamed hair follicles that appear as small red bumps. Dermatitis, an irritation of the skin sometimes caused by clothing friction combined with sweat, can also lead to breakouts.

Steps You Can Take Toward Preventing Back Acne

Although many of us have multi-step routines for our faces, we rarely see someone who gives the same due diligence to her body-care products. When was the last time you saw an influencer flaunt the essence she uses on her legs?

It is important to take care of your body just as you take care of your face. The wrong products can lead to dryness and irritation and aggravate conditions like acne. Luckily, using a light, non-greasy lotion after you shower or bathe can help prevent unnecessary dryness that can lead to breakouts.

• Limit Your Use of Oil-Based Skin-Care Products

Try not to use skin-care products with oil, including moisturisers and cosmetics, on your back. These can lead to back acne flare-ups. look for products labeled noncomedogenic, meaning they are unlikely to clog pores.

• Eliminate Pressure on Your Back

Anything that results in increased sweating and friction on your back, such as backpacks, sports gear, and back braces, can cause back acne

• Wear Clean Clothes

Dirty clothes can harbor sweat, oil, and dirt, further irritating the skin and contributing to the development of acne,It’s always best to wear loose clothing during exercise, and to remove sweaty clothing after a workout.

• Use Natural Products

Ubtan - Has coolant properties that help relieve your skin from excess heat and tan. They remove dead skin and help get a soft and supple skin. The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties in ubtan inhibit the growth of bacteria, further keeping the skin off acne, spots and pimples

• Scrub the dead skin and keep it clean

Coffee- Excellent exfoliator and helps in stimulating blood flow, which reduces acne and even cellulite and stretch marks. Important coffee face pack benefits are that its rich antioxidants kill dead cells and remove impurities, making skin smoother and brighter looking.
Walnut shell-They are extremely hard and do not break down or get soft in the product. Their hardness makes them a highly effective natural body scrub very efficiently coping with even thick deposits of dead surface skin

Pampering your body with clay!

If you have been struggling with acne, or have oily skin, this ingredient will sound very familiar to you. Clay is one of the most beloved ingredient that can help with sebum production and purifying pores! And with this clay is a great acne fighting and preventing ingredient. So how can we use it on our body for effective body acne treatment?

 How to incorporate clays into your body routine;

1. Cleanse your skin with water (always work on a damp skin)
2. Mix with clay with water and apply all over the affected area 
3. There are two options, 1) cleanse your body with the clay as if you do with any other body wash OR 2) slather on the clay mixture onto the areas where you have acne and leave it as a mask for 1 minute
4. Cleanse away!