Acne isn’t limited to the face only, skin breakouts can happen on the skin areas like back, shoulders, chest and other parts of the body. However plenty of people often struggle with back acne which is also called ‘bacne’ can be pretty annoying as it is harder to reach, harder to see and totally gets worse due to sweat, friction and tight clothing. That’s why it is important to properly prevent back acne to avoid irritation and itching.
The good news is that using the right acne face wash can totally help in managing these frustrating back acne and helps in getting a clean and smooth skin. However, people often are unaware of the characteristics of acne face wash.
Therefore in this guide we will discuss about why do back and body breakouts happen, face wash ingredients that are best for acne and common mistakes to avoid will help you to select the best acne face wash for your body and back acne which help in managing the acne and aids in attaining a clear and smooth skin.
Can You Use Acne Face Wash On the Body?
The simple answer is yes. In most of the cases, an acne face wash is particularly formulated for the face but it can also be used on areas such as the back or shoulders. But, the thing that matters the most is the active ingredients used in the face wash and the tolerance of your skin.
Common acne fighting ingredients which are popular among people are salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide and is also recommended by experts. Benzoyl peroxide helps in killing acne causing bacteria, on the other hand salicylic acid helps in clearing clogged pores from the deep and prevents acne.
Why Do Back and Body Breakouts Happen?
Back and body acne happens due to similar reasons. Excess oil traps dead skin cells and other impurities which lead to blocked pores and results in skin breakouts. However body acne can also be caused by several other factors such as:
- Friction: It is another common factor that triggers skin breakouts. Tight clothing, sports tools and wearing bags can rub against the skin repeatedly and result in irritating the acne prone areas. That’s why loose fitted clothes can help in reducing friction.
- Sweat and Heat: These factors totally worsens the skin acne; especially after intense physical workouts. Wearing sweaty clothes for a long time for an extended period of time can trap bacteria and moisture on the skin which totally causes acne. That’s why experts recommend to shower and change clothes after a physical workout.
Hair and body products can also contribute to acne. So if you are experiencing constant body acne then using a mild, fragrance free acne face wash can help in managing these body acne.
Face Wash Ingredients That are Best
These are highly effective and safe to use for managing acne or skin breakouts.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is widely used in the cosmetic industry and is popular among people having oily and acne prone skin. It is a beta-hydroxy acid which penetrates deeper in the skin and helps in clearing clogged pores and removes excess oil from pores which prevents acne or breakouts.
In addition it can also be beneficial in managing blackheads and whiteheads as salicylic acid removes the impurities from deep.
Benzoyl Peroxide
It is also another commonly used ingredient for fighting acne. It contains antibacterial properties. Due to this property it helps in killing acne causing bacteria by introducing oxygen into the pores and bacteria cannot survive in oxygen.
On top of that it is best for painful, swollen bumps which can be pretty irritating. To complement these ingredients you can add one gentle exfoliation acid to get a more even skin texture.
Glycolic Acid
Introducing a lower concentration of which is a gentle exfoliant that helps in removing the accumulated dead skin cells from the skin surface and gives a brighter, smoother and even skin.
However, you should avoid mixing the ingredients in a single skin routine and should use them separately. Glycolic acid should be used 2-3 times a week.
How to Use Cleanser on Your Back?
As washing the back is difficult, you can consider the following tips that help in cleansing your back effectively and safely.
- Properly wet your skin with lukewarm water.
- Take enough gentle cleanser on hands and apply it to the acne prone area.
- Avoid scrubbing harshly as it can totally worsen the breakouts. Kindly rub the cleanser on the affected area and rinse thoroughly with water.
- If you are using benzoyl peroxide, then leave the cleanser on the skin for 2-3 minutes and then clear off with water.
- Dry the skin with a clean towel by gentle patting.
- Apply the gentle and non-comedogenic moisturizer on the face.
Mistakes One Should Avoid
Bad face wash habits often damage the skin. That’s why people should avoid the following mistakes:
- Rinsing the cleanser way too fast like regular soap will not provide benefits as the ingredients need some time to penetrate the skin.
- Popping and picking pimples can cause irritation, hyperpigmentation and even leaves acne scars.
- Violently scrubbing your skin with loofahs can totally create micro tears on the skin and even damage the skin barrier.
Final Thoughts
Body and back acne is common as it also happens due to similar reasons which cause facial acne. However friction due to tight clothing and sweat, heat can totally worsen the acne and skin breakouts. For that reason, anti acne face wash becomes a valuable addition in daily routine which helps in clearing clogged pores and prevent skin breakouts.
But knowing the ingredients which help in fighting acne is also important to pick the right acne face wash. In addition, back acne can be frustrating but using acne face wash with proper technique and avoiding mistakes such as tight clothing can make a significant difference and totally help in managing body and back acne.
