Acne can be incredibly frustrating to manage, but back acne? Now, that’s a trickier fiend to deal with. Those angry red bumps taunt us each time we think about putting on that tank top, off-the-shoulder blouse, or open back dress. And unless you’re a professional contortionist, it’s impossible to cover them up with concealer. Yup, bacne can be a real bitch.
You may think that the blemishes on your face and body require the same treatment, but the skin on your face is actually very different to that on your back. Surprisingly, the skin on your face has a higher level of blood supply, which means blemishes tend to heal faster and leave lighter scarring and pigmentation. The skin on your back, however, is much thicker than the skin on your face, so it’s much more resilient and can tolerate stronger treatments and exfoliants that are often too harsh on the face.
Today, we’re going to learn more about this curse and find out the most common triggers of bacne. Of course, we’ll also show you how to change up your body routine so you can say goodbye to those pesky blemishes. If you’re facing severe back acne, however, we recommend you see a dermatologist soonest.
Sweat
There’s no easy way to say this, given our year-round humidity, but perspiration is often responsible for your back flare-ups. If you’re someone who enjoys an intensive cardio routine or the occasional jog in the park, wear moisture-wicking, breathable fabrics so that sweat and bacteria aren’t trapped within that layer, allowed to fester and block up your pores. That said, it’s impossible to wear a Dri-FIT material to work every day even though it’s terribly easy to work up a sweat, so use a tissue to keep your back dry or give it a quick swipe with a cleansing wipe if you have time to spare. You may want to trade in your existing body wash for an blemish-fighting one too, a plus if it’s pH-balancing.
Simple Exfoliating Facial Wipes, $19.90 (left); The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Body Wash, $18.90 (right)
Increased oil production
Generally, acne is caused by a spike in oil production and irregular skin cell turnover which result in blocked pores, providing the perfect conditions for bacteria to breed. A dip in oestrogen levels can throw your hormones off significantly and that imbalance can play a huge role in increased sebum production, which is why might notice more an eruption of breakouts around the time of your period. So another good way to manage back acne is to incorporate a chemical exfoliant into your bodycare routine. One that contains salicylic or glycolic acid is able to penetrate deep into the pores and exfoliate from within, unclogging that nasty buildup of sebum, bacteria, and dead skin. Try not to overdo it, though. Apply the treatment to your blemishes on alternate nights and monitor your skin. If it’s too drying, try using it once a week instead. If it gets red and itchy, stop immediately.
Pixi Glow Tonic To-Go Exfoliating Toner Pads, $34 (top); Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel, $51 (bottom left); Paula’s Choice Acne Body Spray, $41 (bottom right)
Conditioner
Turns out, there are certain ingredients in your conditioner that can cause face AND back acne, especially if conditioner is the last step of your shower routine. Most conditioners on the market contain petroleum, silicone, and shea butter, all of which are oil-based ingredients that can clog pores and trap bacteria. The hair strengthening ingredient panthenol is also another common culprit, so read your ingredient labels and steer clear from those ingredients. A cautionary step you can take is to cleanse your body with a body wash after you’re done rinsing your conditioner off. That way, your back won’t be covered in those conditioning agents.
Main image: @shopgirl.la
You must be logged in to post a comment.