Picture this: you’re in the shower, putting on the best concert for your invisible audience when you spot a big white bump on your back. A pimple? Aren’t pimples only supposed to appear on your face? Unfortunately, back acne and body acne are actually very normal, and many people get it, including teens and adults. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and there are things you can do to combat it. First, you need to know what causes teen acne on the body.
What Causes Body Acne?
So, what triggers all those annoying back pimples and painful chest breakouts? The causes of acne are actually pretty universal, no matter where it appears on the body. That giant crater on your nose is the same as the whiteheads that keep popping up on your neck.
The leading causes of face and body teen acne are:
- hormones
- overactive oil glands
- excess dead skin cells
- increased production of acne-causing bacteria
When oil and dead skin cells get trapped within your pores, it can create a blockage that will lead to a blackhead. If bacteria invade the blackhead, it can lead to an inflamed pimple.
Some of these teen acne triggers are out of your control, but factors in your environment could be playing a role in your body acne as well. Traces of your hair products can linger on your skin if you don’t thoroughly rinse them off. Since hair products keep your hair so smooth and luscious, they’re normally pretty thick. Those products are superheroes for your hair, but not so much when it comes to your skin. Thick products are harder to wash off your body and are more likely to leave a residue.
Have you gotten into the habit of scrolling through Insta in your sweaty soccer uniform because you’re too lazy to get in the shower right away? Don’t worry—we’ve all been there. However, your workout habits are one of the most significant contributors to body acne. Teen acne isn’t related to cleanliness but sweat still aggravates the skin. Certain types of workout clothes or sports equipment trigger body breakouts as well. Heat and sweat, combined with pressure or rubbing on the skin, can cause a specific type of acne called acne mechanica.
We know sweat triggers teen acne, so it’s no shocker that pimples love to make their big debut in the summertime. It’s one thing to put your skin through an hour of sweating on the treadmill, but what are you supposed to do when stepping outside your house is enough to warrant an extra swipe of deodorant? The first step to banishing teen acne is being aware of what’s going on with your body.
Is It a Pimple?
OMG! There are tons of red bumps on your chest! How do you know if you’re suffering from a massive breakout or a different skin irritation? The most common places to get teen acne are on your:
- chest
- back
- shoulders
- neck
- underarm
- butt
Yes, you read that right. You can even get teen acne on your butt (gross, we know). Acne appears typically on your body’s back and upper half; you won’t see it on your legs often. To determine whether something is actually a breakout or just an allergic reaction, try to examine the texture of your skin. Back acne and acne on the rest of the body are typically red, irritated bumps with pus inside them. Allergies, on the other hand, are itchy, red, scaly patches on the skin.
If you notice red bumps on your triceps, that could be a rash called keratosis pilaris. Keratosis pilaris occurs when dead skin cells get trapped within your pores, giving a similar appearance to teen acne. Your arms will look studded with firm bumps within your pores. These bumps can be pretty stubborn and stick around for a while, but with a good exfoliation routine, you can remove dead skin and help your arms return to their usual, smooth selves.
How to Treat Body Acne
If you’ve done a full-on skin inspection and you’re sure those bumps in your skin aren’t the result of an allergic reaction, it’s time to start treating your skin. The first step to curing teen acne is to find the source of the breakouts.
Is it caused by:
- Hormones?
- Lifestyle?
- Genetics?
Since every part of your body is different, not all body acne will clear up at the same pace or respond to the same treatment. The lower part of the body, like back acne and butt acne, have slower circulation and larger surface area, so teen acne heals slower in those areas.
Neck Acne
What should you do if you find a red, painful pimple on your neck? Commonly, neck pimples are caused by hormones or PMS. It could also be a result of that super cute (but super itchy) turtleneck you’ve been sporting recently. If you have long hair, oil from your hair and the products you put in it could clog the pores on your neck as well.
When treating neck acne, it’s essential to be gentle, just like you would on your face. Neck skin is almost as thin as the skin on your face. If they’re hormonal pimples that appear beneath the skin, they’ll probably go away on their own in a few days. If you’ve noticed that your breakouts aren’t magically healing themselves, you might need to wash your hair more, especially if you have a lot on the back of your neck. Using a gentle acne body wash can help kick neck acne to the curb.
Chest Acne
If you have breakouts on your chest, they’re probably also a result of hormones. The skin on your chest is thin and delicate so that it can be prone to breakouts. It’s really common to get bumps that look like pimples but are actually folliculitis. Folliculitis is the result of an overgrowth of yeast, often the result of sweat and friction. To cure it, use a warm, wet washcloth, and acne body wash to cleanse the area. Applying aloe vera gel.
If it’s not folliculitis and is, in fact, a breakout, you should treat it the same way you would treat your face. Use a gentle acne body wash instead of your favorite sweet-smelling one. We know, so tragic, but just think of how clear your skin will be! Note that drying it out with harsh scrubs or ingredients will make the acne on your chest worse.
Back Acne
The most common type of body acne is back acne or bacne. Of course, the most common type would be the one that’s almost impossible to reach without a foot-long loofah, right? Back acne is more stubborn than acne on other parts of the body since the skin is thicker. Teen acne-fighting ingredients don’t penetrate the skin on your back acne as easily as they would on your face. Back acne can be a result of hormonal imbalances or hormonal times like PMS. Since back acne is mostly linked to hormones, some people are more prone to getting it than others. You’ll typically see back acne when you start going through puberty. Overproduction of oil and clothes that are too tight (like workout clothes), can also irritate your back acne. Another cause is built-up oils and dead skin cells in and around your pores. The pores can get clogged and attract bacteria.
To keep the back acne at bay, you need to make sure you’re showering right after working out. It’s essential to keep your body and your clothes clean. As easy as it is to throw on the same sports bra three days in a row instead of doing laundry, this can be harmful for your skin and cause back acne. If you don’t wash your workout clothes regularly, you could be letting more bacteria into your skin. Swap out your heavily scented body wash for a gentle acne body wash.
Butt acne
Even though it sounds super icky, butt acne is common and normal, just like back acne. Acne on the backside is caused by inflammation of hair follicles. The most important thing you can do to treat it is to make sure you’re regularly washing with an acne body wash. Sorry, legging lovers. Tight fighting clothing isn’t butt acne’s best friend. Wearing loose clothes will give your skin room to breathe and recover from any breakouts.
Best Body Washes for Teen Body Acne
Now that you’ve come to the disappointing realization that your birthday cake scented body wash isn’t doing your skin any good, what acne body wash should you use? Get to know your skin type, and find a body wash that targets your specific skin concerns while still ridding your body of teen acne.
Soothing Mandarin Foaming Body Wash
Our Soothing Mandrin Foaming Body Wash is perfect for making your skin feel as soft as a baby’s. This cleanser was made for people with teen acne, dry, and sensitive skin. The ingredients in this acne body wash will protect your skin and reduce irritation on any skin type. The formula is hydrating and long-lasting, so you’ll be fresh, clean, and moisturized all day long. This acne body wash is so gentle that you can use it as part of your everyday shower routine. The ingredients are all-natural, so you don’t have to worry about chemicals irritating your skin. The acne body wash is paraben, sulfate, fragrance, gluten-free, and vegan. It has properties of vitamin B, which is fantastic for reducing redness and acne in the skin. Plus, you’ll be smelling better than ever without having to worry about skin irritation, thanks to the soothing mandarin in this acne body wash.
Odor Fighting Tea Tree Foaming Body Wash
The process of puberty comes along with a big increase in hormones that result in mood swings, breakouts, and, of course, body odor. It’s a little gross, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of! Body odor is totally normal for teens and tweens. If you don’t bathe regularly or don’t wash sweaty areas thoroughly, bacteria can make contact with sweat, causing a bad odor.
Our Odor Fighting Tea Tree Foaming Body Wash is the perfect recipe for clear skin and a fresh scent. It helps combat stubborn acne and bacterial skin issues and also reduces swelling, inflammation, and redness. With ingredients like Vitamin B, Allantoin, and Bisabolol, our body wash is all-natural. Allantoin prevents your skin from getting dry and allows for maximum hydration. Bisabolol is soothing and brightening. The active ingredient in this acne body wash is tea tree oil, which works to fight bacteria and acne. Tea tree oil is such an excellent product due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Like all of our products, this acne body wash is paraben, sulfate, fragrance, gluten-free, and vegan.
When it comes to washing your body, you don’t have to scorch your skin with hot water to scare away all the bacteria. Most dermatologists recommend showering in lukewarm water rather than water that’s really hot. Do a quick rinse and wet your skin before applying your body wash.
Other Tips for Body Acne
You’re already on track to having the clearest skin from head to toe. Some other things to keep in mind when it comes to curing teen acne on your body are:
- Have a daily skincare routine.
- Moisturize with light products.
- Don’t pop pimples.
- Be gentle on your skin.
- Accommodate your workout routine.
- See a dermatologist if you have concerns.
Daily Skincare Routine
The most important part of having clear skin is staying consistent. Even with the best skincare products in the world, they won’t be effective unless you use them regularly. Once you have a solid routine set in place, make sure to stick to it every day. Just as you start your morning with a cleanser, start your shower routine with an acne body wash. You’ll start to see results quicker, and your skin will thank you later.
Using Light Products
Heavy products like thick moisturizers can linger on the skin and clog pores. Thicker products are harder to wash off, so you’re better off using a moisturizer with a light formula. Oily products can also be harsh on back acne and acne on other parts of the body. You should also try to find a moisturizer that’s lightly scented or has no scent at all to combat teen acne.
Resist the Urge to Pick at Acne
Don’t pop your pimples! That’s the worst possible thing you could do for your skin. Picking at your breakouts will make them more red, painful, and irritated. It can also leave long-lasting scars on your body. It’s hard to resist the temptation when you see a giant whitehead right on your chest, but just keep your eye on the prize: clear, glowing skin all over. Luckily, for our readers with back acne, you’d have to phone a friend to reach those pimples, so you’re less likely to pick at them. For acne everywhere else, be gentle and show your skin the love it deserves by treating pimples with acne body wash rather than popping them.
Be Gentle on Your Skin
The skin on the rest of your body is more similar to your face skin than you might think. You wouldn’t use a heavily scented cleanser with a bunch of chemicals in it, so why do we put those kinds of products on our bodies or back acne? As luscious as you might feel with your strong vanilla body wash, it’s actually harming your skin more than it’s helping. Especially when you’re a teen, because your skin is sensitive and can react harshly to certain ingredients. Use an acne body wash, and don’t scrub excessively.
Make Sure Your Workout Routine Isn’t Harming Your Skin
As you know by now, your workout routine plays a significant role in your teen acne. Remember to always shower with acne body wash after you work out, no matter how much your legs and arms feel like jelly. Your favorite stretchy leggings and workout tank are adorable but not ideal for teen acne on your body. Cotton clothing is a lot more breathable and favorable for reducing acne than tight-fitting items. Lastly, don’t even think about putting those sweaty gym clothes back in your drawer. Throw them right in your hamper for a wash before you wear them again.
Seek Help from a Dermatologist
Sometimes, teen acne on the body is too stubborn for even the most gentle and soothing acne body wash. If you have concerns about your back acne or acne on the rest of your body, you should reach out to a dermatologist. They might be able to prescribe you medication that gets rid of body acne for good.
Now that you know all things body acne and acne body wash, you’ll be amazed at how clear your skin becomes with our tips. Bye-bye, back acne and neck pimples! Remember to be patient, gentle, and confident with your skin, and don’t forget to check out our fantastic acne body wash. For more tips on how to handle teen acne on your face, check out our top ten ways to start caring for your skin.