Clearing Back and Body Acne
Chances are if you’ve experienced acne on your face then you’ve more than likely found acne on other parts of the body. Body acne is just as common as facial acne and its root cause is the same. An over production of oil on your skin causes pores to be clogged and 
possibly infected with bacteria. Body acne can appear anywhere on the body but it is usually found in the neck, back, shoulder, arm and chest region. The severity can range from mild to severe with acne covering entire regions of the body. Clearing body acne is no different than clearing facial acne. You’re going to want to wash often, treat with some topical treatments, and watch what comes into contact with your acne.
Tips For Controlling Body Acne
Examine the Clothing You’re Wearing – Take a good look at the clothing that you’re wearing. Tight fighting clothing or clothing with rough fabric may be rubbing up against your skin. This can aggravate delicate skin causing rash and acne. This is especially prevailent during the summer months when one is working outside and sweating excessively. Sweat drenched clothing constantly rubbing up against the skin can cause all kinds of problems. Look to wear clothing that is loose fitting and allows some air circulation, especially when its warm. Also make sure that what you are wearing itself isn’t the problem. You could be sensitive to certain clothing materials and not even know it.
Take a Look at the Soap and the Water You’re Using – If you’re having problems controlling your acne, take a good look at the soap that you’re using. Is it over drying your skin? This especially becomes a problem in the winter months when the air is cool and dry. Take a close look at the condition of your skin and if its dry find a nice non-oil based moisturizer. Contrary to what a lot of people naturally believe, its not moisture that causes acne – so moisturize up! You’re also going to want to take a look at the water that you’re using. Hard water is water that contains a lot of minerals and is usually found in places where well water or river water is used. If you’ve got hard water you’re going to want to make sure that you’re rinsing off your soap completely as hard water tends to leave residue behind. Also, if you do have well water you’re going to also want to moisturize to counter act the minerals in the water.
Change Your Bedding – Bedding that hasn’t been changed in a while has had time to absorb a lot of the oil that comes from your body. Even though you may be washing yourself, when you go to bed at night you may come in contact with some of that oil from the bedding. Change your bedding at least once a week and make sure that it is made of a material that you’re not sensitive too. You’re on your bed for a third of your life! Make sure its comfortable for you and your skin.
Use Body Soap With Benzoyl Peroxide – Benzoyl peroxide is the ultimate acne fighting drug. It unclogs pores, kills bacteria, brings down redness and swelling, and helps dissolve away dead skin and other undesirables. Find a body soap that contains a low concentration of benzoyl peroxide and use it every OTHER time you shower. If after a while, you show no improvement, you can increase it to daily shower use. A lot of people need very little benzoyl peroxide to get the job done and tend to over medicate themselves. It’s always best to start low and work your way up.
Remember that treating body and back acne is no different than treating facial acne. Until the root cause is figured out, you’re going to have to continue your acne regiment. Stopping for just a bit will allow for more clogged pores and the acne to return.