Acne is not just limited to the face approximately 60% of acne sufferers also experience breakouts on their bodies. Although acne can appear anywhere on the body, the chest, the upper back, and the shoulders are the most commonly affected areas because they have the most oil (sebaceous) glands. Body acne can be painful and embarrassing, and without the right tools, it can seem impossible to get rid of. Don't despair though because almost all cases of acne, no matter how stubborn, can be cleared when you take a holistic approach. Below I have outlined 3 methods for targeting the root cause of your acne, so you can eliminate it for good. I have also included 4 all-natural topical remedies to help manage your body acne while you're waiting for the internal methods to take effect.
3 Steps for Banishing Body Acne from the Inside Out
Step #1. Eat a Skin Clearing Diet
The best diet for eliminating acne and maintaining clear skin for life is one that is balanced, high in fiber, and wholefoods based, with lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains. Eliminate dairy, sugar, refined carbs (white bread, etc.), processed meats, vegetable oils, and fried foods; all of these lead to blood sugar imbalances, which increases inflammation and oil production, and worsens acne.
Also worth noting, although nuts, almonds, and seeds are healthy, they can trigger acne if you eat too many of them because they are high in omega-6 fatty acids, and too much of that fat leads to inflammation. Another food that is considered healthy but maybe triggering your body acne is seafood (fish, shellfish, and seaweed), because it’s high in iodine which can irritate pores and cause acne flare-ups.
Step #2. Cleanse the Liver and Detoxify
Body acne is a surefire sign of a toxic body and a liver that can't keep up. Until you reduce your toxic load, the surplus of toxins will continue to be excreted through your skin. In order to detoxify, eliminate all processed and animal foods for a few weeks and eat only unprocessed plant foods (at least 70% raw). Also, try and leave 12-16 hours before your last meal of the night and breakfast (a mild form of fasting).
Drink lots of water (your urine should be clear), and start your day with a glass of warm lemon water. Do exercises that make you sweat at least every second day but make sure to shower right after, and take Epsom salt baths and saunas if you can. I recommend you also take Liv D-Tox not just during this 3 week cleanse, but for at least 6 months. Liv D-Tox is highly beneficial because it not only enhances detoxification, it also helps your liver regenerate itself, so it can do its job of detoxifying, and your skin doesn't have to.
Worth noting, when you first start a detox and/or start taking detoxifying supplements, you may notice a worsening of acne, as toxins are being eliminated from your body, but stick with it because this is the best way to eliminate acne for good.
Step #3: Balance Your Hormones
Body acne is considered a more severe form of acne and it is often linked to an excess of the hormones DHT and estrogen in your body. Diindolylmethane, or DIM, is an all-natural compound that supports the liver detoxification process and helps eliminate acne by reducing estrogens and inhibiting the production of DHT. Cruciferous vegetables are the best food source of DIM, however, for noticeable acne-clearing results, you will likely need a concentrated DIM supplement. I recommend DIM 259 as it is a clinical strength supplement and each serving provides levels of DIM that are equivalent to eating 3 pounds of raw, cruciferous vegetables, which let's face it, just isn't practical.
4 Topical Remedies for Body Acne
- Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw apple cider vinegar contains organic acids that help to kill skin bacteria, cleanse the pores, and balance pH levels - all of which reduce inflammation and acne. To treat your body acne, dilute it with purified water, at a ratio of 1 part vinegar to 5 parts water and splash it on your body after you shower (or apply with a cotton ball if you can reach your back). Allow it to air dry for a couple of minutes before putting on your clothes.
- Aloe vera
Aloe vera has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which help fight acne and prevent new lesions from forming. It also has soothing, moisturizing and healing properties that help hasten the healing of current lesions. It is best to use the gel from the actual plant because aloe vera loses a lot of it's healing properties when it is processed. To clear body acne, buy a plant, cut a leaf open, scoop out the gel, and apply it daily.
- Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a mild acid derived from the bark of willow trees that helps to gently exfoliate the skin and encourage dead skin cells to shed so that they don’t build up and clog pores. Research shows the twice-daily application of salicylic can lead to a significant decrease in mild to moderate acne within 4 weeks. Annihilate Acne Cream is an all-natural cream that contains salicylic acid and it’s uniquely effective for fighting acne because it also contains DIM (the compound mentioned above that reduces pore-clogging androgens and estrogens).
- Tree Tea Oil
Tea tree oil has strong antibacterial properties, and studies show it’s equally as effective as benzoyl peroxide at treating acne but causes less irritation. It’s been found to both reduce the number of acne lesions and also the severity of acne. Tea tree oil is strong and should never be used undiluted though. Instead, add a couple of drops to your aloe vera gel and rub it on your acne-prone areas after showering. You can also try adding 10 drops of tea tree oil to a bath and soaking in it; and wetting a q-tip, adding a drop of tea tree to it, and applying it as a spot treatment.
Additional Tips:
While waiting for the 3-step internal approach to take effect, you should take extra precautions with your skincare. Make sure to shower after sweating, and avoid things that may be putting pressure on and aggravating your acne (such as a backpack). Also, resist the temptation to over-exfoliate or scrub your body, or aggravate your skin with too many products, doing so will just make matters worse. And finally, avoid oil-based and chemical skin care products.