Body acne can afflict anyone at any point in their life, although it is more likely to occur in adolescents. This kind of acne can be painful--particularly if it is widespread all over your body--and can be difficult to eliminate. Over time, it can also cause permanent scarring on the body. A number of medications are available to treat acne, but for those who seek natural solutions to nature's problems, there are still several options to treat body acne. It may take trial and error and a number of treatments to successfully alleviate and eliminate your acne.
Step 1
Avoid further agitating and damaging your skin. These irritants can come in several forms: sunlight, cleansers and your own skin's oils. By eliminating these factors, you can prevent any worsening of your body acne--particularly if these factors are the original causes of your lesions--and possibly see some improvement in your skin. Avoid direct and prolonged exposure to the sunlight, which can damage your already sensitive skin. Use gentle cleansers on your body rather than harsh chemicals, and use a soft cleaning cloth to minimize abrasion. You should also avoid touching your skin, which can place oils and other contaminants on your acne.
Step 2
Take zinc supplements. According to the Mayo Clinic, zinc helps with wound healing and inflammation reduction in your skin, both of which contribute to healing your acne. Zinc can have negative side effects, such as an unpleasant taste and nausea, but this can be reduced by taking the supplements with a meal. Some moisturizing lotions and skin creams also contain zinc, which may be beneficial to acne when applied topically.
Step 3
Apply creams containing tea tree oil onto your skin. MayoClinic.com reports that some studies indicate tea tree oil may be as effective in treating acne as some over-the-counter and prescription medications. Tea tree oil needs to be applied once or twice daily over a long period of time to yield improvement in your acne, and it shouldn't be taken by individuals with acne rosacea.
Step 4
Apply glycolic acid to your acne to remove dead skin cells and clear up pores. Glycolic acid is a natural-occurring substance found in sugar cane, and it can eliminate some of the factors causing body acne. Redness of skin, mild stinging and other mild skin irritations are possible side effects of glycolic acid.
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