How to Get Rid of Chest Acne Without Spending a Fortune
As if facial acne weren’t already a pain to deal with…
Having chest acne can be twice as annoying and uncomfortable. It can make you too conscious of yourself that you’ll try to avoid tank tops and formal dresses as much as you can.
But, the question is this:
How long can you hide everything?
You see, chest acne, when not addressed properly, can spread. And once that happens, you’ll have bigger and more problems to worry about.
So, to make sure that doesn’t happen, we’ve rounded up the best remedies to get rid of chest acne.
We’ll get to that later, but first...
What Causes Chest Acne?
Acne is acne regardless where it appears. So, these factors may look familiar and probably aren’t new to you.
Excess Oil
Like facial acne, chest acne is the result of excess sebum, inflammation, bacterial buildup and clogged pores. When these things clog the pores, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria.
This then leads to inflammation and eventually, to acne lesions.
Whiteheads and blackheads (referred to as mild acne) appear if the infection is near the surface of the skin. But, as the infection gets deeper, the resulting acne can be more severe.
This includes papules, nodules, or God forbid, cysts.
Perspiration
Any physical activity always leads to sweat.
Although there’s nothing really wrong with sweating, the problem happens once it mixes with the bacteria and oil on your skin. It can lead to clogged and irritated pores which then results in acne.
Tight Clothes
Skinny jeans or any tight-fitting clothes might be the new fashion statement, but they’re also doing your skin more harm than good.
These types of garments are usually made from materials that don’t allow the skin to breathe. And, obviously, this results in the formation of acne.
This is why it’s important to wear loose-fitting (and clean!) clothes made of cotton to allow the skin to breathe. It is one of the easiest ways on how to get rid of chest and back acne.
Dirty Linens
Or basically, any garment that has close contact with the skin. Over time, they absorb the dirt and oil from your skin and allow bacterial build-up.
So, make it a habit to wash and replace blankets and sheets at least once a week. Doing so will ensure your sheets aren’t full of germs that could clog the pores.
Allergic Reaction
This is especially true for people with sensitive skin. Since most detergents and conditioners are loaded with chemicals, these can irritate the skin and lead to the formation of acne.
Now, listen.
An allergic reaction isn’t limited to what you use to wash your clothes. If you’re searching for ways on how to prevent chest acne, you may also want to be mindful of your makeup or perfume.
Hormonal Imbalance
It can lower your immunity and make your oil production go crazy.
But, luckily, once your hormones normalize, the rashes vanish by themselves as well.
For us ladies, we get chest acne before that “time of the month.” But, again, they naturally go away once our period is over.
Stress
Have you ever felt so anxious and worried that you suddenly notice zits appearing in places they shouldn’t be in? Well, you are not alone.
Doctors have suggested a connection between stress and acne.
However, this is only true if you already have an existing skin condition.
When we experience stress, a number of stress hormones are released, including adrenaline and cortisol. It is the latter that creates havoc on our skin.
A rise in cortisol levels leads to a lower immunity. It can also mean an increase in oil production, which ultimately lead to clogged pores.
How to Get Rid of Back and Chest Acne
Chest and back acne often go hand in hand. These areas of the body have a number of oil glands so there’s no wonder having acne on these two is quite common.
Aside from the face, of course.
But there are things you could do to actually prevent it. If the sight of chest and back acne doesn’t appeal to you, here are ways on how to stop chest acne:
Choose Cotton
This is something I’ve already mentioned earlier. Cotton is one type of fabric that allows sweat to evaporate rather than creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
Fewer bacteria mean lesser chances of clogged pores.
Clean Up Your Diet
Pick fruits and vegetables over sugar and milk. This is one of the most effective ways on how to get acne off of your chest.
Also, add more protein, whole grain and foods rich in omega-3 into your diet.
Examples include salmon, nuts, and spinach.
Increase Your Water Intake
Our skin is the body’s largest organ, so it’s important to keep it hydrated. Drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water each day.
And no, soda doesn’t count.
Smoothies, sodas, and juices are high in sugar which is a no-no, especially when you’re dealing with acne.
If you don’t like the “taste” of water, you can opt for green tea instead.
Green tea is packed with antioxidants that protect skin from free radicals.
Being protected from free radicals means slowing down the signs of aging.
Avoid Dairy
Our oil glands and pores are stimulated with dairy products causing them to become overactive. It is best to avoid them, but if you really need to drink milk, opt for skim milk instead.
Go for Noncomedogenic Products
Look for products that read oil-free or noncomedogenic on their label. This means they are free of any oils that could cause clogged pores.
And this applies to your cosmetics, too, and not just for your shampoos and soaps.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
If your hands are full of germs and you touch your chest, you already know what’s going to happen next.
So keep your hands germ-free to avoid clogging the pores.
Besides, having clean hands not only protects you from acne but from other diseases as well.
Learn How to De-Stress
As mentioned above, there is a connection between acne and stress. Learn how to relax and never deprive yourself of sleep.
And it’s not just how long your sleep was. Some people can have a full 10-hour sleep yet still feel moody and tired when they wake up.
Having a good night’s sleep should make you feel refreshed and energized the next morning. But avoid oversleeping, too, as it can have medical risks such as obesity and heart disease.
Seven to nine hours of sleep is what most experts agree on as the average amount of sleep adults must have.
If you exceed this number of hours, you may want to pay your doctor a visit.
This is so he could find out the exact reason you oversleep.
Involve Yourself in Physical Activity
Exercise does you a lot of good—not only for your body but for your skin as well.
You don’t necessarily have to hit the gym as a simple walk around the neighborhood will do.
But, try to avoid high-intensity exercises such as lifting heavy weights or fast running. If these can’t be avoided, at least limit their frequency and duration.
So, sweat it out! And make sure to have a shower after.
Buy Acne-Fighting Products
Go for cleansers containing 2% salicylic acid. This ingredient penetrates deep down the pores and rids of whiteheads and blackheads.
It acts as an exfoliator, too. Aside from removing dead skin cells, salicylic acid cleansers can also help reduce inflammation and prevent breakouts.
Just be as gentle as possible. Scrubbing too hard will remove your natural oils and irritate acne even further.
The same goes for creams. Start with one that contains 0.5% salicylic acid and apply the cream directly to the affected area.
Benzoyl peroxide is another ingredient known to fight acne. It helps unclog the pores but it can cause a bit of redness and peeling at first.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation helps slough off dead skin cells from the skin’s topmost layer. This results in softer skin that’s blemish-free.
Just limit it to 2-3 times a week to avoid drying your skin out.
Use an Aspirin Paste
Salicylic acid is one of the components of aspirins. This is why applying an aspirin paste makes an effective acne remedy.
Simply combine a teaspoon of honey, a teaspoon of water and two crushed aspirin tablets. Apply to the affected area and wait for at least 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
Apply Masks
If you’re looking for a natural way on how to clear up chest acne, this is a great option. Masks work by removing dead skin cells while cleansing the area at the same time.
Choose a mask made of charcoal or mud. And avoid doing it more than thrice a week.
Make sure to follow this up with a serum made for oily skin. This is to help replenish your skin’s lost oil.
Utilize Tea Tree Oil
This ingredient is a known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties which makes it a popular natural remedy for acne.
Put a drop of tea tree oil on the affected area and wait for it to be absorbed. Repeat thrice a day until the acne disappears.
This ingredient is a known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties which makes it a popular natural remedy for acne.
Put a drop of tea tree oil on the affected area and wait for it to be absorbed. Repeat thrice a day until the acne disappears.
Make an ACV Toner
When it comes to home remedies, apple cider vinegar can’t be missed. ACV works by restoring the skin’s natural pH.
And when our pH level is in harmony, it will be more difficult for bacteria to enter the skin.
Simply soak a cotton ball in a teaspoon of ACV. Apply it to the affected area and wait for 30 minutes before washing it off for daytime use.
But for nighttime use, it’ll be better to leave it overnight.
How to Cover Chest Acne
Prevention is better than cure. But, sometimes, life gives us a surprise errand or activity that waiting for chest acne to clear up isn’t always an option.
Here are some ways on how you can hide chest acne temporarily:
With Concealer
Using makeup is one of the easiest ways to hide chest acne. Choose a concealer that has salicylic acid or any acne-fighting ingredient to hide and treat zits at the same time.
With Foundation
If a concealer isn’t enough, go with a foundation.
Apply foundation that matches your skin tone over the layer of concealer you applied earlier.
With Powder
Sprinkle some powder on your chest before leaving the house. It helps absorb excess oil and moisture to avoid clogged pores.
With Calamine Lotion
This is for those who hate wearing makeup. Apart from relieving irritation, the pink hue also helps disguise the acne.
Conclusion
Chest acne is mainly caused by poor hygiene and an unhealthy diet. Good thing it can easily be prevented with the tips mentioned above.
Of course, these remedies aren’t guaranteed to work overnight. Like most products for acne, they can take time to work.
So, stick with a good diet and make sure to follow these tips to a tee and you’ll surely be acne-free soon.
How about you? How do you prevent (or put an end) to chest acne?
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