11 Ways To Get Rid Of Chest Acne
Discover 11 effective ways to say goodbye to chest acne. From specialized body washes to topical treatments, we’ve got you covered. Say hello to clear, beautiful skin once again.
Raise your hand if you’ve experienced this scenario before. You’re getting ready for a night out with your friends. As you slip into that stylish, low-cut top for a night out, you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. But wait, what’s that? Your heart sinks as you notice an unwelcome surprise—a cluster of red blemishes scattered across your chest.
Are you wondering about the best and fastest way to get rid of body acne on your chest? In this post, I’ll share 11 ways to help you bid farewell to chest acne for good.
Let’s dive in!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. These are products I’ve personally used, as well as are recommended by other skincare experts.
What Causes Chest Acne?
Chest acne isn’t all that different from the acne you get elsewhere. The main causes are the same: clogged hair follicles and pores filled with excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. It’s basically a breeding ground for acne, just on your chest.
Types of Chest Acne
You can usually tell what type of acne you’re dealing with by its appearance:
- Blackheads: Tiny dark spots caused by oxidized dead skin cells.
- Whiteheads: Small, flesh-colored bumps hiding just below the surface.
- Papules and Pustules: These are your red, inflamed bumps, which usually mean that the clogged pore has become infected or irritated.
Understanding the types is crucial because each may require a different approach to treatment.
11 Ways To Get Rid Of Chest Acne
So, you’re dealing with chest acne and you’ve had enough. Let’s cut to the chase and get into the 11 ways you can tackle this head-on.
1. Use an acne-specific body wash
Swap your regular body wash for one that contains salicylic acid. This ingredient helps remove excess oils and dead skin cells.
I recommend trying CeraVe SA Body Wash, which will exfoliate your acne-prone skin without drying it out.
If you’re dealing with more inflamed acne, opt for a body wash with benzoyl peroxide. This will kill your acne-causing bacteria. Apply the body wash to the affected areas, let it sit for a bit, and then rinse off.
I recommend PanOxyl Acne Foaming Body Wash, which has 10% of benzoyl peroxide.
Salicylic Acid exfoliates rough skin and bumps leaving a softer, smoother look and feel. Contains Hyaluronic Acid to help retain skin’s moisture and Niacinamide to help calm skin.
Maximum strength, antimicrobial foaming wash kills acne-causing bacteria on contact and lifts dirt from pores. Clears existing acne and helps prevent new blemishes from forming.
Dissolves dead skin cells and unclogs pores with BHA and AHA, while providing deep moisture and soothes skin with Centella asiatica and Tea tree extract.
- Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid have different properties. Benzoyl peroxide is effective against bacteria while salicylic acid mainly targets clogged pores. Both are helpful depending on your specific skin concerns.
- Salicylic acid is more effective for blackheads and whiteheads. Benzoyl peroxide works well for mild pustules.
2. Make sure to exfoliate
Exfoliating helps unclog pores by removing dead skin and excess keratin. But don’t go overboard—stick to one to three times a week to avoid skin irritation.
Types of Exfoliation
Physical Exfoliation: These are your scrubs with small, gentle particles like jojoba beads or rice bran. Avoid anything too rough, which could damage your skin increasing your breakouts.
Enzyme Exfoliation: Good for sensitive skin, these use fruit enzymes like papaya to dissolve dead skin. They’re usually in masks or cleansers and are a softer way to exfoliate your skin.
So, pick your method and keep it consistent.
This creamy body scrub exfoliator contains gentle AHAs (brightening lactic acid and resurfacing glycolic acid) to remove dead skin, smooth rough texture, and help improve the appearance of discoloration for fresher, brighter-looking skin.
This powerful formula combines chemical and physical exfoliators to reveal a remarkably smooth texture. With a blend of glycolic and lactic acids, along with pumice buffing beads, it gently removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores for a renewed and revitalized appearance.
This formula uses probiotic extracts and nourishing superfoods, promoting a healthy, balanced, and radiant complexion. AHAs help skin appear brighter, while deeply cleansing and buffing away dull skin, to enhance the texture and tone of your skin, all without live cultures.
Related Post: 7 Effective Ways To Get Rid of Nose Acne
3. Use a Hydrating Moisturizer
After showering, don’t skip the moisturizer, especially if you’re using benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. These ingredients can dry out your skin.
When picking a moisturizer, go for options labeled “non-comedogenic” to avoid clogged pores. If you’re dealing with oily skin, “oil-free” is the way to go.
My go-to? CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion. It’s formulated with salicylic acid and ceramides, giving you hydration while reinforcing your skin’s natural barrier.
Infused with ceramides to strengthen barrier to help retain skin’s moisture. Helps protect against environmental factors while reducing irritation caused by acne. Soothes. hydrates, and moisturizes skin. Perfect for those with sensitive skin.
The lightweight, non-greasy formula effortlessly softens and smooths your skin, while the powerful combination of Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, and Niacinamide works wonders to exfoliate, retain moisture, and soothe your skin.
Infused with 2% Salicylic Acid (BHA) eliminates bumps, and reveals a noticeably smoother and softer complexion. Packed with antioxidant-rich ingredients like green tea & chamomile, to provide deep hydration for radiant and glowing skin.
4.Pat & Don’t Rub
After your shower, gently pat yourself dry with a clean towel. Rubbing can irritate your skin and even lead to scarring, especially if you’re dealing with more severe forms of acne like pustules or papules.
5.Try a topical treatment
If your body wash isn’t doing the trick, think about adding a topical treatment like benzoyl peroxide or adapalene to your routine.
Apply them directly to the problem areas to unclog pores and keep new breakouts at bay. Just a heads-up: benzoyl peroxide can stain clothes, so let it dry first.
Adapalene, a topical retinoid, is another great choice. It unclogs pores, reduces inflammation, and speeds up skin cell turnover.
Start with a low concentration and work your way up as your skin gets used to it. And don’t forget the sunscreen—adapalene makes your skin more sun-sensitive.
For a tailored approach, a dermatologist can guide you on how to best use these treatments.
Clears breakouts where they start (Deep in pores) and prevents new acne from forming, which ultimately restores skin’s texture and tone. In a clinical study, Differin gel provided up to 87 percent reduction in acne breakouts after 12 weeks.
Formulated to be incredibly effective in the treatment of body acne. 2% Salicylic acid (BHA) penetrates pores to eliminate bumps, pimples, and blackheads without the damaging effects of body scrubs or brushes. Even suitable for cystic acne.
5.5% benzyl peroxide with glycerin that is proven to reduce acne by 60% in just 10 days and has been dermatologist tested on sensitive skin. Use for spot treatment for pimples to reduce blemishes. Can be used for chest, face, shoulders, and more.
- Adapalene increases cellular turnover and renewal which can help prevent dead skin cell build-up (although it’s not exfoliating) and reduces inflammation but there is limited research on its ability to reduce c.acne bacteria and control oil production.
- Adapalene, a type of retinoid, is typically regarded as a superior acne treatment to benzoyl peroxide, specifically regarding pore cleansing.
- Research has demonstrated that benzoyl peroxide and adapalene are more effective at treating acne when combined together than either ingredient used alone.
6.Use Sunscreen
Sun protection is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and preventing acne breakouts. The sun’s harmful UV rays can cause irritation, inflammation, and increased oil production.
Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your shoulders, even on cloudy days. Look for oil-free or non-comedogenic formulas to prevent pore clogging.
Consider wearing protective clothing or seeking shade during peak sun hours to further shield your shoulders from UV damage.
I recommend the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 60 because it absorbs excess oil and reduces shine without feeling greasy.
Oil-free broad spectrum sunscreen for acne prone skin helps absorb excess oil, reduce shine and won’t cause breakouts.
Moisturizing sunscreen( SPF50+ and PA++++ ratings). Soft and creamy texture without leaving a white cast. Active ingredients like Niacinamide for brightening and Hyaluronic acid for hydration, this sunscreen doubles as a moisturizer.
Hybrid sunscreen that can block both UVA/UVB rays (SPF 50 PA++++). Includes hyaluronic acid, to ensure your skin remains hydrated and healthy throughout the day, and niacinamide to balance and brighten skin.
- Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours. If your spending alot of time in water, apply based on the water resistant limit.
- Look for SPF 30-50 range.
- Make sure your getting both UVB & UBA protection – look for “broad spectrum,” “UVA” and “PA” labels.
7.Turn to prescription oral medication
For more severe cases of chest acne, topical treatments may not be enough. Consult with a dermatologist to discuss the option of prescription oral medications.
The larger surface area of the chest makes it challenging to treat solely with topical solutions, and oral medications can provide more comprehensive results.
8.Consider a “chest facial”
Sometimes, professional help is necessary, especially if you have a significant number of non-infected clogged pores or bumps on your chest. A professional esthetician can perform extractions to clear out the pores and prevent new breakouts.
Chemical peels can also be beneficial as they exfoliate the skin and loosen clogged pores. If professional help is unavailable, opt for a chemical peel at home, such as a 20 percent salicylic acid peel, to lift away discoloration and keep pores clear. Just remember not to overuse peels and limit them to once a week.
9.Shower after your workout
Don’t let the temptation of post-workout relaxation keep you in your sweaty clothes. Showering immediately after exercising is crucial to prevent and reduce acne breakouts. Sweat can contribute to clogged pores, so make it a habit to cleanse your body both before and after your workout.
10. Do not pop your pimples
As tempting as it may be, resist the urge to pop your pimples. Popping can lead to scarring, increased inflammation, and hyperpigmentation.
The combination of the treatments mentioned above should be sufficient to address your chest breakouts, so it’s best to leave the whiteheads alone and let the treatments do their job.
11.Consult a Board Certified Dermatologist
If the above recommendations aren’t enough to help you treat chest acne, it may be worth seeking professional advice from a dermatologist especially if you suffer from severe acne.
Your doctor can assess your individual needs and recommend prescription medications or other effective acne treatments, as well as develop a customized acne skincare routine to combat your breakouts.
Wrap-Up
I hope this post has been helpful and useful in your pursuit of saying goodbye to chest acne.
Remember, what works for someone else may not work for you – so take some time to experiment and find out which combination of solutions helps reduce your chest acne most effectively.
Always consult a medical professional if you’re concerned about any kind of reaction or health risks associated with the products or treatments you’ve chosen.
