This Is How To Get Rid Of Chest Acne, Says Dermatologists
Raise your hand if this sounds familiar: You throw on your newest sports bra or leggings set and feel jazzed to work out. But wait. You’ve got a prob. Once you’ve shimmied into your ’fit you notice a cluster of red zits on your chest. Ugh! Say hello to chest acne, friends.
Wondering what chest acne is exactly? According to Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, chest acne is basically just the development of pimples on your chest, and it’s often a combo of all the good stuff: blackheads, white heads and red, inflamed bumps.
Meet Our Experts: Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, Miriam Vega Gonzalez, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, Renee Rouleau, a celebrity aesthetician and skincare expert
Okay, but how is this different from your regular acne issues? Well, it turns out that it’s not much different at all, actually. “In terms of causes, chest acne is the same as regular acne, but it’s just located on the chest,” says Miriam Vega Gonzalez, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “It’s the same type of physiology—it’s clogged pores that sometimes get inflamed.”
So you’ve got a solid case of acne on your hands…err, chest. No need to fear. It’s very possible to get under control. Keep reading for eight ways to cure your chest acne for good, according to the experts.
1. Use an acne-specific body wash.
Start by tackling chest acne during your daily shower or bath. Instead of your usual body wash, Dr. Vega Gonzalez recommends using a salicylic acid wash (which removes excess oils and dead skin cells) if you’ve got a mild case of chest bumps. That being said, if you’re on the more inflamed side (think super red, clogged pores) consider choosing a benzoyl peroxide formula, which kills the acne-causing bacteria on your skin. Use the wash on any pimple-y area of your chest, let sit, then rinse. Easy!
2. Make sure to exfoliate.
Dr. Vega Gonzalez also suggests adding some exfoliation to your routine for a little extra ~oomf~. She says that it literally thins the skin, allowing for the excess keratin that’s clogging your pores to come out *for good*. According to dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, exfoliation is also great for treating the hyper-pigmentation on your chest once your acne is gone. (AKA, those leftover red marks that look like shadows.)
“Remember though, over-cleansing and over-exfoliating can irritate the skin and will trick your body into thinking it needs to produce more oil,” Dr. Marchbein says. “I recommend exfoliating no more than one to three times a week.” Noted.
3. Try a topical treatment.
Is the medicated body wash not cutting it? Take it up a notch. According to Dr. Zeichner, topicals such as over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and adapalene (which keeps skin cells from sticking together and clogging pores) can be useful in treating your pesky chest breakouts, too. Apply your formula of choice wherever you’ve got chest acne and let it dry before slipping on any clothing. Pro Tip: Benzoyl peroxide, while helpful, can stain your fabrics so make sure you’re wearing a light-colored tee once you put it to use.
4. Turn to prescription oral medication.
“In the office, when I see patients with acne on the chest or the back, I commonly discuss the use of oral medications along with topicals,” says Dr. Zeichner. “These patients benefit from the use of medications, which address the issue from the inside out.” Since the surface area of the chest is so big, Dr. Zeichner explains that sometimes it’s hard to fully treat acne through topical formulas or washes, especially if yours is a more serious chest-acne situation. Make an appointment with your derm to get your hands on a prescription.
5. Consider a “chest facial."
Celebrity esthetician and skincare expert Renee Rouleau says that sometimes it’s necessary to have a professional perform extractions if there’s an abundance of non-infected clogged pores or bumps on your chest. Keeping the pores cleared out by removing debris stops new breakouts from forming, she explains. Extraction is usually partnered with a chemical peel that exfoliates the skin and loosens clogged pores so that blemishes are easily removed by the esthetician. That being said, if you can't make an appointment with a pro, skip the extractions altogether (don't try to pop on your own!) and opt for a just chemical peel. “I love to use a 20 percent salicylic acid peel on my clients that can help lift away discoloration from old acne scarring while helping to keep pores clear,” Rouleau says. There are plenty of at-home peel options in the form of resurfacing pads and dropper solutions, just don't go overboard and use them more than once a week.
6. Evaluate your post-workout routine.
Are you someone that likes to sit around post-workout? Look, I get it. I can get pretty lazy after a sweat sesh too. But trust, you def need to reconsider lounging in your soiled clothes. Dr. Marchbein recommends showering ASAP once you’re done working out. “Sweating and then staying in sweaty clothes can both cause and worsen body breakouts,” she says. “It’s important to wash both before and after exercising, or at the very least use gentle cleansing towelettes.” Bonus: Wipes are super easy to stash in your bag if you’re on-the-go. Just swipe along your chest, toss, and boom, you’re done!
7. Check your lotions.
Naturally, you want your skin to be hydrated and hella smooth. That being said, if you’re prone to acne on your chest, you need to be a little more careful about what you’re putting on your bod. “Reading the labels is so important,” says Dr. Vega Gonzalez. You want to make sure that whatever you’re buying says “non-comedogenic” (aka it won’t clog your pores) or “oil-free” (if you have breakouts, your skin is already over-producing oil, so no need to add more).
8. Do not pop your pimples!
I know it’s super tempting, but whatever you do, don’t pop! “As dermatologists we never recommend popping any pimples because that can lead to scars, more inflammation, and hyper-pigmentation,” says Dr. Vega Gonzalez. A mix of the treatments above should be enough to stop your chest breakouts, so do yourself a favor and just leave that whitehead alone. You’re welcome!
This article is part of Women's Health 2020 Acne Week. Click here for more.
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