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What causes body breakouts? -

Just like facial acne, pores clogged with oil, grime, and bacteria can cause spots to crop up pretty much anywhere on your body.

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Folliculitis -

The unwelcome, acne-like pimples that can crop up on butts and legs are often caused by folliculitis, triggered when hair follicles on the body become irritated and inflamed. Sweaty workouts and prolonged periods of sitting can often be contributing factors.

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Sebaceous glands -

As with the face, an excess of oil from the sebaceous glands can be a major cause of body acne. As there are more of these glands on the chest and back than other parts of the body, they can be particularly prone to problematic eruptions.

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Stress -

Breakouts are often caused by a combination of factors, not all of them obvious. Stress and hormonal changes can play a role in causing a bout of body acne, for instance.

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Perfumed products -

Perfumed skin products, tight clothes, and laundry detergent can be among the culprits causing your body breakout woes, as can a poor diet.

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Prevention is better than cure -

Body acne can be a pain to shift once it sets in, but there are steps you can take to prevent it becoming a problem in the first place.

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Hydrate, and ditch the junk food -

Making sure you drink plenty of water and avoid processed, sugary foods is an important step in making sure your skin is well placed to defend itself against acne attacks.

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Kick butt acne to the curb -

It seems a little unfair that fitness fiends can spend so much time working out, only to find their perfect peach covered in unsightly spots. 'Buttne' is usually down to folliculitis, caused by sweaty clothes and fabrics rubbing against the body.

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Shower as soon as possible -

Try to shower as soon as possible after a workout–use the facilities at the gym if that's an option. If you can't get to a shower, at least change out of your sweaty gear as soon as you're done working out.

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Watch your detergent -

Washing your workout kit regularly is important both for yourself and those working out near you, but look for detergents and softeners suitable for sensitive skin.

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Breathable fabrics -

Look for breathable fabrics, especially ones with wicking, which will help draw moisture away from the body.

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Let your skin breathe -

Those tight jeans might flatter your peachy derriere, but they can also cause breakouts. That's because tight-fitting clothes can trap oil and sweat, blocking the hair follicles in the process.

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Look for washes with butt-kicking ingredients -

If the dreaded butt zits do show up, an antibacterial soap or a body wash with benzoyl peroxide as an active ingredient might be enough to kick them into touch. A body spray or wash containing pore-unclogging salicylic acid is another weapon in the war on zits.

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Wash, but don't scrub! -

Resist the temptation to attack your acne-blighted skin with a loofah or shower mitt. The harsh scrubbing can irritate the skin and exacerbate the problem. It can even lead to long-term scarring and dark spots, so stop scrubbing!

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Moisturize -

Moisturizing might seem counter-intuitive when it comes to treating breakouts, but be sure to include it in your routine to calm irritation. Look for creams with a gentle exfoliating ingredient like lactic acid, or urea.

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Get up! -

Desk jobs, driving, cycling, and spin classes can mean a lot of time sitting. Investing in a standing desk and swapping the Peloton sessions for a run or dance class can reduce the pressure on your posterior.

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Seek advice -

If a butt breakout doesn't clear up with standard spot-fighting treatments, seek medical advice–especially if the acne is very severe or inflamed. It may be that a deep rooted infection has set in and needs a prescription treatment.

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Antibiotics -

Whether the spots are on your legs, butt, back, chest, or arms, antibiotics will sometimes be the best answer to clearing up the problem. But be sure to follow the prevention advice to stop the breakouts from recurring.

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How to prevent breakouts -

Back acne, or 'bacne,' is another common skin complaint. Along with the tight clothing and sweaty workout gear that also cause butt breakouts, back acne can be caused by your hair products.

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Causes of back acne -

Some sulfate-containing shampoos and conditioners can cause pore-clogging on the neck and back, and hair rubbing against the skin can worsen the problem.

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Preventing back acne -

Some shampoos and conditioners are specifically formulated to stop the trickle-down shower problem from causing a breakout. But whatever product you're using, be sure to rinse your body as well as your hair after washing and conditioning.

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Spot treatments -

If you still have back acne issues after opting for loose clothes, taking post-workout showers, and addressing the shampoo issue, try on-the-spot treatments. Witch hazel and tea tree oil are two natural treatments that can be applied directly to problem areas.

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When to see a dermatologist -

If your back acne problems don't clear up within a few weeks of using spot-fighting treatments, it might be time to talk to a dermatologist. They can give you a better idea of the root causes of the issue, and how to tackle them.

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Confronting chest acne -

There are a number of things that can cause chest acne, from hormones and hair products to sweaty sports bras. But there are some simple steps to confront the problem, too.

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Sweaty situations -

Like other forms of body acne, sweaty situations can bring on a spotty chest. Take off your sports bra straight after a workout, and avoid backpack or hydration vest straps rubbing against your chest.

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Hair products -

Again, hair products can come into play here. If the spots crop up where your hair hits your chest, switch up your hair-care products (or keep your hair tied back).

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Extend your facial spot treatments to your chest -

Facial skincare products such as exfoliating cleansers, salicylic washes, glycolic skin pads, and topical treatments can all be used on the chest.

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Intimate area acne -

Yes, this is a thing. A type of folliculitis usually caused by shaving or waxing, and further irritated by sweaty or tight clothes, spots in the intimate area can be avoided by opting for laser hair removal instead.

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Skin breakouts -

If the spots do crop up, avoid harsh scrubs, and look for washes containing salicylic or glycolic acid. Some people swear by medicated diaper rash creams, like Sudocrem, to treat the problem. Wherever your acne problems occur, remember: if it doesn't clear up after following the recommended measures, seek advice from a dermatologist or your doctor. 

Sources: (Well+Good) (Verywell Health) (Allure)

See also: The best supplements to boost your immune system

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