BEAT BODY ACNE

Do you have zits below the neck line? You're not alone! Lots of teens - and even some adults - get body acne. It's especially common in the warmer months, when sweat can clog skin pores and lead to breakouts all over. Other things that can cause body acne are tight-fitting clothing (it traps sweat against the skin, leading to clogged pores and blemishes), stress and hormones.

Body acne commonly pops up on the chest and back, but it can happen anywhere. Follow these Myjellybean.com tips to minimize body acne breakouts.

Use the Right Cleanser.

To zap body acne and prevent it from coming back, you can wash your body daily with a salicylic-acid-based cleanser. Look for this ingredient on product labels, or ask your local drugstore's staff to recommend a cleanser that contains it.

Hit the Showers.

Shower daily, and be sure to shower as soon as possible anytime you've been sweating - such as after playing sports, working outside, or just being in the sun. After your shower, you can follow up by applying a body moisturizer that contains alpha hydroxy acid (again, look on the label or ask drugstore staff). This will exfoliate skin and help prevent breakouts, without drying skin out.

Treat Acne While You Sleep.

At nighttime, you can treat body acne just like facial acne, by applying an acne-zapping gel or cream (Biore and Neutrogena make good ones). Appy the product directly to the individual blemishes.

Keep Clothes Loose.

Avoid wearing super-tight or spandex clothing if you can help it. Cotton clothing is best, because it "breathes" and lets air circulate over skin, which reduces sweatiness and helps prevent pore clogs.

Consider Getting Help.