Acne occurs when glands in your pores make sebum, an oil meant to lubricate your hair and skin, but can also clog pores. Bacteria, dirt and dead skin cells can also clog pores. The best way to keep acne under control is to keep your skin clean and use medications formulated to kill bacteria and help stimulate the growth of new, smooth skin. Daniel Kern, founder of the website Acne.org, reports that most people with facial acne will also have body acne. Because the skin on the chest is thicker than facial skin, breakouts here can be more severe.
Step 1
Wash your skin each morning using a non-fragrance, gentle soap. While perfumes may not cause acne, it can irritate your skin, especially if you will be using acne medications.
Step 2
Let your skin completely dry after showering. Pat dry with a towel rather than rubbing which can distribute oils or irritate deeply rooted pimples.
Step 3
Spot treat each pimple with a 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide product. You can skip this step if benzoyl peroxide is too drying or if your breakouts are mild. However, if your skin does not respond at all, you can try a product formulated with 5 or 10 percent benzoyl peroxide.
Step 4
Apply 10 percent alpha hydroxy acid to the areas you most often breakout. If you only get a few pimples on your chest, you can spot treat each pimple.
Step 5
Exfoliate your skin two or three times a week with a store-bought scrub or make your own exfoliator using three parts baking soda to one part water. An exfoliator will help wash away dead skin cells and loosen clogged pores.
Tips and Warnings
- Wear cotton clothing, especially in hot weather when you’re likely to sweat. If you suffer from severe breakouts on your chest, try forgoing fabric softener detergent and sheets, which could leave a waxy residue on your clothing, towels and bedding. Instead use an anti-static dryer ball.
- The Mayo Clinic explains that it can take up to four to six weeks after starting an acne-treatment routine before you begin seeing an improvement. If after this time your acne is not clearing up, consider seeing a dermatologist to get a prescription for an antibiotic or other acne medication. Be sure to wear sunscreen. The sun will not dry pimples and clear acne. It can, however, irritate your skin.
Things You'll Need
- Mild, fragrance-free soap
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Alpha hydroxy acid
- Exfoliator or baking soda
- Cotton clothing--optional
- Anti-static dryer ball--optional
- Sunscreen
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