9 Pro-Approved Ways to Get Rid of Your Chest Acne for Good
Bacne. Butt-ne. Boob-ne. As if regular old facial acne wasn’t obnoxious enough, we also have to worry about blemishes everywhere else we have skin. Today, we’re talking about the last of the three: chest acne. “Most people get either larger pustules—inflamed, red spots with an infection, or ‘whitehead’—or cysts,” says Rouleau. “Cysts are deep under the skin, never come to a head, and can be painful.”
To all the women who have changed out of a low-cut top or opted out of wearing a bathing suit because of a boob breakout: This one’s for you.
Meet the Expert
Renée Rouleau is a celebrity esthetician and skincare expert. Her clients include Camila Mendes, Lili Reinhart, and Demi Lovato.
What causes chest acne?
“Chest acne is fundamentally the same as the acne that develops on the face, but it can be challenging to treat since it often covers a larger surface area,” says Rouleau. “Just like acne on the face, body acne occurs as a result of overactive oil glands combined with blocked pores caused by dead skin cells that aren’t being shed.” If you’re noticing breakouts in this area, there are several factors that could be contributing to these blocked pores.
Tight clothing: We love a comfy, curve-hugging athleisure moment as much as you do, but avoid wearing it all day, every day. “Clothes that trap heat and moisture against the body for prolonged periods of time or create friction could be triggering your chest acne,” says Rouleau.
Sweat: “While sweat doesn’t technically cause acne, it can add to a disruption in the normal flow of oil within the pore,” says Rouleau. That excess oil becomes a feast for bacteria, and then bam! You’ve got the perfect environment for clogged pores.
Hormones: Just like the acne on your face, hormones play a major role in the health of your skin. “Similarly, stress can also be a trigger since it encourages the production of androgens—a group of hormones that can stimulate oil production,” says Rouleau. So that at-home spa treatment you've been putting off? Well, it might be time to treat yourself to a little relaxation.
Diet: According to the Mayo Clinic, some studies have shown that chocolate, skim milk, and high-carbohydrate foods can make acne worse—including chest acne.
Genetics: Did one of your parents or siblings struggle with chest acne, too? That’s probably not a coincidence: You may have inherited a tendency to overproduce oil or skin that’s less efficient at turning over dead skin cells. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!)
How to get rid of chest acne:
Like facial acne, chest acne can be tricky to treat—especially if yours is caused by a genetic predisposition or hormonal issues. You’ll want to experiment with the routine tweaks and treatments below until you find the ones that really make a difference.
Opt for looser clothing. Clothes that hang further away from your body won’t trap heat, moisture, and excess oil the way tight clothes do. If tighter clothes are essential to your *look*, swap in looser clothes every other day to give your skin a break.
Use an acne-fighting body wash. Battling body acne is sometimes as simple as swapping your traditional body cleanser for one with active ingredients that target breakouts. MURAD Acne Body Wash has salicylic acid to dissolve oil and bacteria within the pores, and glycolic acid and date seed powder to minimize dead skin cells. Check out our list of best body washes for acne for more suggestions.
Try a topical acne treatment. “When a blemish appears, you’ll want to calm down the inflammation as soon as possible to encourage healing and prevent a scar,” says Rouleau. She notes that chest acne tends to be more deeply rooted than facial acne, so drying treatments (like the kind that works well for whiteheads) may not be as effective. Look for an acne spot treatment with trusty ingredient benzoyl peroxide to ward off acne bacteria.
Exfoliate your chest. “It’s crucial to gently remove buildup every time you shower,” says Rouleau. “A simple solution is physically exfoliating by applying your cleanser directly to a loofah or gentle cloth.” We also love CÉLA Seed to Skin Scrub Natural Grain Polish, which sloughs away stubborn cells with all-natural cupuaçu seeds.
Moisturize without oils. Because chest acne usually signals excess sebum production there, you’ll want to avoid fanning the flame with even more oil. Instead, look for body creams and lotions that are oil-free. TULA Oil-Free Gel Cream is a must-try option that also uses probiotics and prickly pear extract to reduce redness and irritation.
Shower right after you sweat. And even as much as two times a day, if it’s hot out! “Since oil is a breeding ground for bacteria, keeping the skin clean can make a huge difference,” says Rouleau, who also recommends showering ASAP after you work out.
See a doctor about your hormones. If topical treatments don’t seem to do the trick, you may want to check in with your doctor. A hormonal imbalance caused by medication, birth control, pregnancy, or a hormonal condition could be to blame.
Tweak your diet. As we mentioned earlier, you may want to cut back on the skim milk, chocolate, and carbs to see if they’re contributing to worsening acne.
Whatever you do—don’t pick. Especially if the pimples are cystic. “Picking won’t make the blemish go away any faster and will result in longer-lasting damage to the skin in the form of hyperpigmentation, also known as post-breakout scars,” says Rouleau. Repeat after us: Hands off!
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