Best Products For Body Acne
Body acne is often connected to fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis), a type of acne that occurs due to too much yeast of the type malassezia within the hair follicles. Yeast is naturally found on most skin surfaces but become problematic in large amounts causing an inflammatory reaction within the hair follicle, often mistaken as acne vulgaris. The large amount of oil producing pores on the chest and back create the ideal habitat for malassezia yeast to grow. Other causes can be laundry detergent, hormones such as testosterone, tight clothes and sweat.
Fungal Acne is treated with topical anti fungal creams and washes. When using anti fungal washes make sure to cover areas such as behind the ears and in the belly button, as dead skin cells and sweat tend to accumulate there providing the ideal habitat for malassezia yeast to grow. As yeast is always present on the skin it is likely necessary to continue using anti fungal products even after the infection is gone.
Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
Neutrogena Body Clear Body wash is a cult favourite to treat body acne. The active ingredient is 2% Salicylic Acid, which is an exfoliator. It lathers to a foam and washes off completely. Many people swear by Neutrogena's body wash but take precaution if you are sensitive to coconut oil as it contains “Cocamidopropyl Betaine”, a derivative of coconut oil. Coconut oil is known to be comedogenic (pore clogging). Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a foaming agent and surfactant (compound that lower the surface tension between two liquids, in this case oil and water) and used to allow water to rinse away oil from the skin.
Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash, amazon.com
Hibiscrub Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser
Hibiscrub Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser, amazon.com
Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Nizoral can be used as a shampoo, body wash or mask to treat fungal acne caused by an over growth of malassezia yeast. Apply the shampoo and leave on the skin or scalp for 3-10 minutes before rinsing off. Make sure to spot test before you apply it to large areas of skin.
Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, amazon.com
Benzoyl Peroxide kills bacteria and is effective against the P. acnes bacteria. Benzoyl Peroxide products typically come in concentrations of 2.5%, 5% and 10%. I have had great success using Benzoyl Peroxide for my back and chest acne in the past as a leave on treatment at night. I use a formulation with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide as a spot treatment and mix it 1/1 with moisturiser to reduce it to 5% or 1/4 for a 2,5% concentration to use all over my back and chest. Do not use 10% directly on your face or body as it very irritating and drying. Make sure to spot test before using on large areas on the body to make sure you are not allergic. Benzoyl Peroxide will bleach clothes, bed sheets and towels so get some plain white t-shirts to sleep in or use something you don’t mind getting bleached. The Benzoyl Peroxide Gel by Dr Song provides a huge amount of product for a great price. Make sure to dilute it with moisturizer, the Moisturizing Cream from CeraVe (typically referred to as CeraVe in the tub on Reddit and Acne forums) is great to mix with.
Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide 10%, water, propylene glycol, glycerine, carbomer, saccharide isomerate, edeate disodium, sodium hydroxide
Benzoyl Peroxide Dr Song 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Gel
Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide 10%, water, propylene glycol, glycerine, carbomer, saccharide isomerate, edeate disodium, sodium hydroxide
Dr Song 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Gel, amazon.com
Related: How to get rid of fungal acne
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