5 Ways to Beat Body Acne in Time for Summer 

This year, don’t let body blemishes derail your summer plans. First off, we all get them, so don’t go into hiding—wear the swimsuit anyway. And second, you can reduce the appearance of acne from the neck down by incorporating the following habits into your skincare routine.

Shower more often

Bump up your daily shower to once in the morning and one at the end of the day. And before you hop in, take a look at the ingredient list of your body wash/soap. If you see notorious acne-causing ingredients like sodium chloride, lauric acid, and lanolins at the top of the list, it’s time to chuck what could be the source of body breakouts. Go for body cleansers formulated with salicylic acid and tea tree oil, like Good Molecules Clarify & Cleanse Bar, which helps clarify and prevent blemishes with their antiseptic and astringent powers. And be sure to assess your shampoo, conditioner, and leave-ins for pore-clogging ingredients as well.

Exfoliate every week

We all know that excess sebum can cause breakouts, but dry skin also sparks acne flare ups. An excess buildup of dead skin cells can clog your pores, so be sure to exfoliate once a week. Go for a charcoal-infused scrub like Sunday Riley Charcoal Smoothie Jelly Body Scrub, which harnesses activated charcoal, salicylic acid, and jojoba seed oil to unclog pores, exfoliate, and hydrate. Plus, this scrub’s specialty is skin polishing, so target the granulated formula on bumpy, textured, or flaky skin for ultra-smooth results.

Also, opt for dry brushing, which involves sweeping a densely bristled brush over your body to slough off dead skin cells, boost blood circulation, and stimulate lymphatic drainage. Simply apply slight pressure and use stroking motions to exfoliate build up and unclog pores.

Don’t forget to moisturize

Acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid mean well, but they can seriously dehydrate and irritate skin…leading to more breakouts. Combat skin dryness by moisturizing your body at least twice a day. Opt for gentle fragrance-free formulas like Augustinus Bader The Body Lotion. Its fast-absorbing formula strengthens the skin barrier, prevents transepidermal water loss, and supports cellular renewal, all while protecting against free-radicals and environmental aggressors.

Spot treat pesky breakouts

Even after implementing the above into your skincare routine, pesky flare-ups stemming from stress or hormonal changes can still attempt to ruin a clear skin day. Stop acne in its tracks by spot treating as soon as you feel a blemish coming on. Infused with salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and hyaluronic acid (to prevent unnecessary drying!), these Acne-Clear Invisible Dots from Peter Thomas Roth reduce the look of blemishes in as few as 8 hours. And because these dots are translucent, no one can really tell you’re wearing them!

Fade acne hyperpigmentation

Even after acne has healed, it always leaves a little parting gift–hyperpigmentation. These dark spots usually clear up on their own over time, but you can expedite the process. Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Body Treatment delivers tranexamic acid deep into the skin to help fade hyperpigmentation, along with niacinamide to reduce the appearance of blemishes. Apply to areas of concern in the morning and at night to help fade stubborn discoloration and reveal a clearer, more even skin tone.