Did you know that just as the pores on your face can become clogged, so can the pores on your back and chest? This may come as a surprise to those of you who do not suffer from body acne, although many of you know all to well how frustrating this can be. Here we're going to share a few tips on how to get rid of body acne all together.

Body acne vs. facial acne

Just as we work to keep the pores on our face clean, we must also pay the same attention to the pores on our body. Oil, dirt and sweat can get caught in the pores without proper detoxing, causing acne and breakouts. In fact, sweat is one of the main foes of clear skin on the body. The hair follicles on the back and chest can trap sweat causing bacteria growth and then breakouts. Therefore it's important to keep the skin clean especially if you're prone to heavy sweating. Wear clothing that works to wick moisture and keep your skin dry. Be sure to shed those sweaty clothes quickly after working out!

The main difference between face and body acne is the role of the hair follicle. Acne on the back and chest tends to result from an infection within the hair follicle, caused by bacteria, ingrown hairs, and dead skin buildup.

Treatment

While there is a key difference between facial and body acne, the treatment is relatively similar. Just as the pores on the face become clogged, the hair follicle can easily become clogged without the proper care. This is where exfoliation comes in -  both physical and chemical. Using an exfoliating cloth, shower gloves or loofah can do wonders for acne prone skin on the body. This physical exfoliation helps to remove any dead skin cells, dirt and sweat that have become trapped in the pores and hair follicles. In addition to some physical exfoliation, you'll want to look for a body wash that contains ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide which work to treat the pores and hair follicle, detoxing any acne-causing bacteria.

Scrubs can also be helpful in treating body acne, although you'll need to be careful about which ones you choose. Being too rough on your skin can cause the skin to become dry, resulting in an overproduction of oil and yes, more breakouts. If you go with a scrub, choose one that's not too grainy. In all, you can't go wrong with a good body wash and a shower puff.

Go to the Professionals

As with all acne, some cases may be worse than others. If you find that using an over the counter body wash and exfoliating treatments aren't working, you may need to visit a dermatologist. Doctors can prescribe stronger treatments that target acne causing bacteria.

Don't suffer with body acne! If the tips above aren't working for you, go to a professional who can provide stronger treatments.