Just because we have body acne doesn’t mean that we have to use stripping products. On the other hand, just because we’ve considered harsh products for body acne doesn’t mean that we’re not body positive. Having the profound want to get dressed without clothes grazing over a painful pimple or having the want to treat an active breakout doesn’t mean that we’re ashamed. It could just mean that we don’t want body acne to impact our daily lives. However, as we go along this acne treatment journey, it’s important to treat our skin properly and kindly. So, if you’re struggling with body acne, here are a few routine suggestions.
1. Cleanse with a body wash specifically for acne.
The Silkshake Probiotic Cleanser -$25
Zitsticka is one of the best products for acne-prone skin because the brand specifically creates products with this skin type in mind.
This Silkshake Probiotic cleanser works for barrier balance, and it has omega fatty acids as well as green tea. It’s like a soft smoothie for your skin as opposed to a benzoyl peroxide acne body wash that’s a bit more aggressive. It has prebiotics and probiotics that balance the body. This cleanser is very hydrating, but it still gives you a thorough clean. While our first instinct after seeing little bumps on your body is to buy a soapy body wash that strips the skin, soaps like these can actually irritate and likewise cause body acne to become worse or rebound.
Luckily, Silkshake is a gentle alternative for acne-prone skin. Because it uses prebiotics and probiotics to promote the good bacteria on your skin whilst curbing the proliferation of others, this cleanser controls acne without wreaking havoc on your skin’s microbiome. Your skin is a habitat or microbiome of bacteria that is crucial to our immune system, and it needs to remain in proper balance. Thus, the Silkshake’s purpose is to maintain this balance, not strip or hinder it.
Given that, you can use this creamy wash all over your body, and in Cassandra’s experience, the Silkshake helps with back acne, hydrates the skin, soothes, and supports the skin’s barrier with antioxidants like tea tree and omega fatty acids that help regulate oil in the skin.
Face Reality Face and Body Wash - $27
If you want something a bit more intense, this is The Face Reality Body Wash. Face Reality also tailors their products to acne-prone skin, and in addition to their skincare line, they even have an acne clinic. This body wash in particular has benzoyl peroxide in it, a powerful acne-fighting ingredient. This product is very effective, even for clinical acne, but it’s also really intense. So, you might not want to use it on your elbows and knees.
Benzoyl peroxide is so powerful because it works by introducing oxygen into the skin. Bacteria is anaerobic, meaning it doesn’t like oxygen. As a result, benzoyl peroxide actually kills acne. It works extraordinarily well, but on the other hand, it can be a bit drying. Dryness is something you have to consider with every benzoyl peroxide product, and that’s why combining this with the Silkshake might be helpful. They are a great pair. While one fights acne, the other can balance, give barrier support, and hydrate.
2. Add a body treatment.
Versed Skin Firm Ground Retinol Body Lotion -$17.99
This Firm Ground Retinol Body Lotion is a relatively new product from Versed Skin, and it is incredibly innovative given that most brands don’t put retinol in lotions. Dermatologists often recommend mixing a pea-sized drop of prescription-strength retinoid with a ceramide lotion to help with anti-aging and other skin conditions, but many brands still don’t have retinol body products. Retinoids are phenomenal for acne because they work by binding to the RAR or the retinoic acid receptor. This causes a chain of events that leads to the dermis, the bottom layer of skin, becoming thicker. As a result, the stratum corneum, the top layer, sheds off quicker.
More simply, retinoids work by promoting the natural growth of skin cells and likewise renewing it. Therefore, retinoids are fantastic for acne, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, scars, and conditions like pseudofolliculitis. Pseudofolliculitis or razor bumps look like red welts, and they’re painful to the touch.
Next, folliculitis happens when a hair follicle becomes infected or inflamed, and this often happens on the rear end. Pseudofolliculitis and folliculitis are both really inflammatory. They leave behind dark purple marks, but the Firm Ground Body Lotion really helps this.
While some people use prescription-strength retinol for folliculitis, you’ll want to use something gentler than prescription retinol on your rear end because it causes peeling.
The Versed Firm Ground Retinol Body Wash is an extended-release retinol. Extended-release retinol means that the retinol is encased and protected as it penetrates your skin. Therefore, the amount of irritation and flaking is reduced. On top of that, this formula contains jojoba esters and cocoa butter which are very nourishing to skin. This is amazing for the body including the more sensitive skin on your rear end.
You can try things like the exfoliants for folliculitis and pseudofolliculitis too, but take into account that you should be using something that does not have the potential to be aggravating.
SLMD Salicylic Body Spray -$30
Next, the SLMD salicylic body spray is another option for body acne. It’s a 2% salicylic acid and oil-soluble acne spray that can penetrate deep into pores. As the spray penetrates those pores, it helps to kill some of that acne bacteria. Furthermore, if you have issues with mobility, you can just spray it on. It is great for on the go too, but it works best when paired with a cleansing routine and treatment that’s is tailored to acne-prone skin.
ZITSTICKA Microdarts -$29
These patches are for emergencies. These are made for acne, and if you have a major pimple before an event, these little darts will directly deliver acne-fighting ingredients to the pimple. They also have tea tree, sodium hyaluronate for hydration, soothing niacinamide, and oligopeptide 76 for collagen support. All of these ingredients help with acne, and the niacinamide especially helps with residual hyperpigmentation. These aren’t really for folliculitis conditions, but once again, they’re great for pimples. After wearing one for four to six hours or overnight, the pimple really calms down.
Check out a video explanation on this routine here.