Five Body Acne-Fighting Products to Banish Blemishes All Over
You expect zits to appear on your face, but it can be embarrassing (and confusing!) to see them forming on your chest, back, legs, and even backside! What's causing these unexpected breakouts? You might be surprised to find that your regular workouts are the culprit.
"Harmful germs from workout equipment and wearing non-breathable workout clothes, like lycra can cause body acne," explains Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.D. "Another main cause is hormones, with regular premenstrual flares in girls."
The good news is that these pesky pimples are totally treatable—just don't expect to use your regular face creams to do the job.
"Back skin, for instance, is more than twice as thick than the skin on the face, necessitating stronger treatments," advises Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas.
Find out what products Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas does recommend to rid yourself of body acne once and for all.
1/6Find out how to prevent and treat breakouts that pop up everywhere but your face.
Photo: courtesy of Soap.com2/6"Salicylic acid washes are best for ridding the skin of the dark blemishes left behind by old acne, which otherwise stick around for months and months," explains Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas.
Phisoderm Anti-Blemish Body Salicylic Acid Body Wash, $7. Soap.com
Photo: courtesy of Walgreens3/6"For body acne, you need a high percentage of benzoyl peroxide to get adequate penetration, as the skin on the back is at least two to four times as thick as the skin on the face."
Walgreens Maximum Strength Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Gel, $5. Walgreens.com
Photo: courtesy of Stridex4/6"These are an easy, quick alternative to prescription antibiotic wipes. They’re great after workouts to get the sweat and bacteria off the skin."
Stridex Daily Salicylic Acid Wipes, $4. Drugstore.com
Photo: courtesy of Drugstore.com5/6"This bar soap is so handy. Work it into your cleansing routine with other anti-acne products so your skin doesn’t get used to one specific ingredient."
Grandpa’s Thylox Sulfur Soap, $4. Drugstore.com
Photo: courtesy of Walmart6/6"This is an excellent alternative to benzoyl peroxide because bacteria cannot develop resistance to sulfur. It works extremely well, especially for upper back acne on women."
De La Cruz 10% Sulfur Ointment, $5. Walmart.com
