Breaking the taboo of body acne

 It's time for you to revel in healthier, blemish-free skin. Understand what is causing your body acne and how a holistic approach can help you achieve total skin confidence. 

When acne appears on your complexion, there a plethora of resources to dive into to find a successful treatment plan. But when it comes to body acne, there's not as much conversation happening around how to beat it. We plan on breaking the taboo of body acne and pointing you in the right direction of causes, appropriate treatments and even some preventative measures you can take to help combat body acne.

What is body acne?

Body acne is breakouts that appear on areas other than the face, such as the back, buttocks, chest and basically anywhere else on the body. When it comes to dealing with body acne, it's important to understand the different types of acne and breakouts that commonly show up in these areas. Most people experience either pustules (whiteheads) or cysts. Pustules are more easily managed than cysts which occur deep under the skin. Cysts don’t come to a head so it's crucial to avoid picking at them to avoid scarring.

Body breakouts tend to occur in specific regions such as the centre of the chest, buttocks, and upper back as these areas have a higher concentration of oil glands, making them more prone to acne development.

What causes body acne?

The causes of body acne can vary depending on the area you might be experiencing it but here are some common factors contributing to body acne.

• Excessive oil production: The back has a high concentration of oil glands, which can lead to the clogging of pores and the formation of acne.
  
  
• Sweat and friction: Perspiration and friction from tight clothing or backpacks can aggravate the skin, leading to the development of acne.
  
  
• Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormone levels, especially during puberty or hormonal imbalances, can trigger body acne.

What causes buttocks acne?

• Sweat and humidity: The buttocks are prone to sweating, particularly in humid climates, which can create a favourable environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive.
  
  
• Friction: Friction caused by tight clothing, sitting for prolonged periods, or vigorous exercise can irritate the skin and contribute to buttocks acne.
  
  
• Sitting in sweaty clothing: Wearing sweaty workout clothes for an extended period can increase the likelihood of developing acne on the buttocks.

What causes chest acne?

• Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal fluctuations, especially during puberty or certain stages of the menstrual cycle, can result in chest acne.
  
  
• Clogged pores: Dead skin cells, dirt, sweat, and bacteria can clog the pores on the chest, trapping oil and causing acne breakouts.
  
  
• Skin irritation: Harsh chemicals in soaps, detergents, or clothing materials can irritate the skin, leading to chest acne.

Body acne treatment

No matter where acne occurs, it can be emotional and frustrating to manage. When it comes to treating body acne, a multifaceted approach is often necessary. We always recommend starting on the inside and addressing the cause of the acne before targeting treatments for the symptoms. Here are some effective treatment options.

Supplements for acne

While acne appears on the surface of the skin, it often begins inside the body making an inside-out approach key to targeting body pimples. 

Vida Glow's Clear is a once-daily capsule created to relieve symptoms of acne and breakouts, including pimples, blackheads, excess oil and skin inflammation on the face and on the body. Clear is formulated with ingestible skincare actives clinically studied for their skin benefits. The formulation includes niacinamide, vitamin A and a probiotic active called Accusolve to restore skin health and clarity by reducing the severity of acne and breakouts. As a gentle and non-medicated supplement, Clear is a drug-free alternative to prescription acne medications. 

Like most beauty supplements, Clear has full-body effect addressing breakouts on the face as well as buttock pimples, back acne, chest pimples. 

Topical acne treatments

Over-the-counter or prescription acne creams containing ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids can help reduce inflammation and unclog pores. They work at the site of the breakout and are a good option to combine with an ingestible supplement which can target the root cause. 

In-clinic acne treatments

Dermatological procedures like chemical peels, laser or microdermabrasion can be effective in managing body acne. While effective, they can be expensive and there can be downtime while the skin responds to the treatment. 

Oral medications

In some cases, dermatologists may prescribe oral medications like antibiotics or Accutane to combat stubborn body acne. Medical treatments can be very effective and fast-acting, but they're not suitable for everyone. Be sure to speak to your healthcare professional to understand if this approach is right for you. 

Body Acne Prevention

Like anything, prevention is always better than a cure. Implementing a few effective measures can help you effectively prevent the occurrence of body acne.

• Cleanse regularly: Treat your body skin like your face skin and cleanse it regularly especially after sweating or exercising. Use gentle soaps to keep the skin clean and free from excess oil and bacteria. 
  
  
• Wear breathable clothing: Opt for loose-fitting clothing made of natural fabrics like cotton or linen that allow the skin to breathe and minimise friction.
  
  
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: By consuming nutritious and unprocessed whole foods, managing stress levels, and regularly exercising you can help promote overall skin health.
  
  
• Consider ingestible supplements: Incorporating a supplement like Vida Glow's Clear which target the underlying causes of acne and supports skin health from within, you can help reduce body acne symptoms.

Body acne is something that many people face, but it's often not given the attention it deserves. By taking a holistic approach to your skin health, that includes lifestyle changes, clinically formulated beauty supplements like Vida Glow's Clear and topical treatments, you can feel confident in your skin. It's time for you to revel in healthier, blemish-free skin.