Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Beginner’s guide to tackling body acne
AS IF getting acne on your face isn’t annoying enough, getting a range of bumps and lumps on the rest of your body can have you facing a whole new set of skincare issues, not to mention the need to hide them away.
While it is important to be comfortable in your skin and look beyond imperfections, it is also important to understand what body acne is and how you can tackle it.
Using the wrong formulations can sometimes make the condition worse, causing it to break out on newer parts of your body.
Malini Adapureddy, the founder of Deconstruct, offers steps to help get rid of persistent body acne and prevent it from recurring.
Get to know your acne
One of the biggest factors hindering your ability to treat acne is the knowledge of what kind of acne is on your body. Acne comes in all shapes and forms and can be stubborn or easy to deal with.
First properly identify the location, with the back, thighs, and hands being common areas.
Then identify its type based on its appearance. Identifying whether the acne on your body is in the form of pimples or small boils can further help you figure out the best course of treatment to tackle the problem effectively.
Don’t stress, express
Stress is one of the biggest contributors to acne, and the fast-paced lives we lead can further enhance the appearance of acne in the body.
One of the easiest ways to take care of acne in the long term is to reduce your stress. At the end of a stressful day, engaging in such de-stressing activities will help you tackle several health issues, including body acne.
Remember, you are not alone, and is always good to express yourself with friends or loved ones – and it can help with your body acne too!
Lather up the love
Using the right kind of products is one of the most essential ways to tackle body care concerns, especially since using the wrong products can often lead to breakouts.
Using the right ingredients will not only help you reduce the appearance of acne but help prevent newer acne from appearing.
Using an exfoliating body wash with AHA + BHA, which is fragrance-free and silicon free, is the best approach.
Exfoliating body wash with 11% AHA + 2% BHA is an excellent choice for those who want to use a gentle exfoliating cleanser to unclog pores and reduce the production of sebum on the skin.
Moisturise right
One of the biggest misconceptions
for those who get regular body acne is that you shouldn’t moisturise, as that can block your pores and increase the acne appearance.
This notion is only half true since the impact of a moisturiser depends on the kind of product you are using.
Using a moisturiser with ingredients such as dioic acid and cocoa butter can help soothe the skin, and
help reduce the appearance of acne, dark spots and discolouration without causing any damage.
It is always important to be informed about the kind of ingredients you are using, and to read the ingredients on the products that you are purchasing to know what you are putting on your body, and how they can help you.
You are what you eat
We have all heard our elders telling us not to eat certain foods because they cause pimples and acne and they are right.
The kind of food you eat can directly affect the appearance of pimples on your body and eating correctly can reduce their appearance, when done in conjunction with the steps mentioned above.
Eating a healthy and balanced diet including greens, protein and vitamins can provide your body with the nourishment it needs and can help clear up your skin from within.
Avoid foods that are deep-fried or rich in fats and sugar and watch your skin go from pimple prone to one with a glow!