According to research, 9.4% of the world’s population has acne in one form or another. While it’s a fairly common condition, it still causes many to lose confidence in themselves and hide behind closed doors, including celebrities. Instead of losing hope, it’s better to take steps to treat the cause rather than the symptoms and be acne free.
Bright Side is listing some of the most straightforward tips to help control your body acne and let the sun shine on your bare skin. And as a bonus, Kendall Jenner, Brie Larson, and Natalie Portman reveal their acne-fighting tricks too.
1. Don’t let sweat sit on your skin, take a shower.
Workouts help anyone with acne a lot, considering the fact that you expel toxins via sweat as well. But the one mistake that can exacerbate body or back acne is letting the sweat sit on the skin. Shower off the sweat and grime as soon as you can, and remember to give your workout clothes a good wash as well.
2. Make exfoliation a part of your body’s skincare.
A gentle exfoliating scrub with salicylic acid can help deep clean your skin and wash off sweat, dirt, and anything that is clogging pores and causing even more acne. Plus, exfoliation sloughs off dead skin cells too, renewing skin in the process.
3. Switch to breathable fabrics and loose fits.
Tight-fitting clothes can further irritate your skin by rubbing against your pores and also trapping sweat and grime against the skin. Try wearing loose-fitting clothes and choose natural fabrics over synthetic ones to give your skin more breathing room.
4. Keep your long hair off your back.
Long hair on your back can also add dirt and grime to your back, prompting painful acne on the shoulders and back. If you are wearing a backless blouse or dress, it’s a good idea to keep your hair off your back. Also, don’t let shampoos and conditioners run down your back when you shower because these can clog pores as well.
5. Choose skincare products based on the ingredients.
You may love a skincare brand’s packaging, ease of availability, or even the scent, but when it comes to acne-prone skin, you need to be looking at the labels for ingredients. Other than salicylic acid, which we have already mentioned, products with tea tree oil, white willow bark, and more can aid in reducing acne.
6. Make sure you stay hydrated at all times.
One way to help your body fight acne is to increase your water intake. This not only keeps your skin hydrated and helps you avoid excess oil production, but it can also support immune function. This, in turn, helps the body flush out certain bacteria that are thought to cause acne.
7. Eat more anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant foods.
Since acne is closely linked to inflammation, one of the simplest ways to tackle it is by adding anti-inflammatory foods to your diet. Berries, certain nuts, whole grains, and beans help reduce inflammation in the body and thus can reduce acne. Here’s a complete anti-inflammatory food list.
8. Do not pop, pick, or scratch the zits.
Popping a zit is not a way to cure it faster, and might just leave you with sores, scars, and even an infection. Resist the urge to scratch and pop the zits on your body. In case the itching is bad, visit a dermatologist to get a topical spray or ointment for better and faster healing.
9. Remember to use non-comedogenic sun protection.
The sun may be good for your health, given it helps your body make vitamin D, but prolonged exposure for your acne-prone skin will only lead to more inflammation. Invest in a good sunscreen and make sure it’s non-comedogenic (something that does not clog pores) and that is oil-free too.
10. Make zinc and low GI foods part of your diet.
Research shows that zinc-rich foods can reduce acne-related inflammation and also help your skin produce just the right amount of oil and sebum. Foods like spinach, pumpkin seeds, oysters, and wheat germ are natural sources of zinc. Foods with a low glycemic index (GI) also help in reducing acne, so add fresh fruit and vegetables to your diet.
Bonus: tips from celebrities
Brie Larson also got pictures taken with a zit on her face and even poked fun at herself on Instagram. As far as acne control goes, Larson believes in eating healthy, practices gua sha, and loves sheet masks. She also goes sans makeup at home, giving her skin a breather.
Kendall Jenner became the target of trolls when she stepped out on the red carpet for the 2018 Golden Globes with pimples on her face. But Jenner thinks acne should never hold you back and now has a handle on her skin. Here are all the products she uses, plus a recipe for her DIY avocado, oatmeal, honey, and lavender mask.
On the other hand, Natalie Portman was besieged with adult acne. To combat this, she simply cut dairy and eggs from her diet, and it worked like a charm for her.
Have you tried any of these tips to reduce your acne? What were the results, and what is your go-to hack to reduce body acne?
Credit: brightside.me