Acne is not just limited to the face. Body acne is an equally frustrating problem. It is sometimes even worse to handle because the skin is thicker and has more oil glands than the face. Back acne also referred as bacne and chest acne are common. This makes people conscious. It is a common issue for those people who generally wear tight clothes, have oily and acne prone skin and sweat a lot. Acne is a problem that occurs when pores get clogged due to sweat, oil and dead skin.
The goal is to achieve a clear skin. Using a correct cleansing product like soap that fights the acne causing problem is helpful. The soaps that are present in the market are ok but some of them contain harsh chemicals and heavy fragrances. These soaps only produce foam and do not deal with deeper issues of the skin. You need to select the best soap for body acne for yourself that not only cleanses but also protects.
Body acne and their root cause
Body acne refers to acne that occurs below the neck area. This includes chest, back, shoulder and upper arms. Similar to facial acne, body acne also occurs due to clogged pores on the skin. But the texture on the back and chest is different from the face as the skin gets thicker and sebaceous glands increase.
Causes for back and chest acne:
- High oil production: Oil production is more prominent on the body than the face as there are more oil glands here. This leads to clogged pores.
- Sweat and heat: Hot and humid environments cause more sweat production. There is more sweat production on the body. If this sweat sits for a long time it gets mixed with dirt and clogs the pores.
- Uncomfortable clothing: Wearing tight or unbreathable outfits like tights, sports bra, fitted clothes or gym wear can cause sweat in the body. These clothes stick to the body giving less space for air and leads to bacterial growth.
- Workout and hygiene: People generally wear tight clothes for gym and that traps bacteria. Staying in these sweaty clothes usually and not cleansing yourself after workout often leads to acne.
- Heavy cosmetics: Using products like body lotions, oils often. These products can be comedogenic and can build up on the skin and clog the pores.
- Hormonal changes: Imbalance in certain hormones can lead to increased oil production in the body than usual oil production. Hormonal imbalance in the body can also cause breakouts.
What to look for in soap?
A soap for body acne is meant to clarify the impurities and have a safer effect.
- The acne soap must be able to clear out the pores and remove all the impurities like sweat, oil , dust and debris.
- It should be gently exfoliating and should be able to cleanse effectively.
- It must be non comedogenic. Should not be clogging the pores by heavy product build up.
- It should not leave skin dry and scaly after use.
- It must be able to hydrate and moisturize the body.
- It should promote general body hygiene.
Ingredients that work well
Salicylic acid: It is a beta hydroxy acid that has deep cleansing action. Salicylic acid goes deep into the pores and clears out excess sebum. It tears down dead skin build up and protects skin. It is a perfect ingredient for acne control.
Neem: Neem is a herbal antibacterial agent that kills acne causing bacteria. It is an anti-inflammatory agent as well which reduces the redness and skin irritation due to acne. Neem clears out impurities that are present on the skin.
Aloe vera: It is a great soothing agent which calms down the skin due to irritation caused by acne. It also hydrates the skin surface without making it oily. It refreshes the skin.
Tea tree oil: It is very beneficial for acne prone and oily skin. It wipes off extra sebum from skin. Also help in killing bacterial infections. It generally imparts a cooling and refreshed feel.
Chlorhexidine Di Undecylenate: It helps in maintaining general body hygiene against dirt and sweat. It cleanses out the dirt. It supports cleansing and hygiene.
Turmeric: It has been also known for its healing power as it is an anti-inflammatory agent. It is an anti-oxidant. Helps in calming down acne irritation.
How to use acne soap effectively?
To deal with acne you need to use the soap for body acne properly.
- Firstly wash the body with water.
- Now take a loofah or wet cloth and rub the soap on it.
- After creating lather, apply it on the body with help of loofah
- Massage every part of the body properly and pay special attention to targeted areas.
- After properly exfoliating, rinse off the soap with water.
- Now dry your body with a soft towel
- After this moisturize your body with a light moisturizer.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right soap for your body acne is a basic step in the foundation of your skin hygiene. The skin on the body is thicker and has denser oil glands than face. Our body often needs a scrub and some strong activities like salicylic acid to really work. This helps to get deep into the pores and keep acne away. When you pick a soap you have to stick to it and not shift to a different one quickly for getting results.
Getting rid of body acne takes a while. If you keep switching soaps and do not follow a routine your body acne is going to get worse. You have to be patient and use body acne soap to see results. Body acne needs time to heal and using salicylic acid soap is a way to do this. Along with the soap you need to follow hygienic habits like showering daily and also after heavy workouts and sweating.