There’s no hiding from it: Acne is an inevitable struggle that continues on well after our prepubescent school days. We’re certainly not thrilled about dealing with unexpected breakouts for the rest of our lives, but if we must, we might as well arm ourselves with the tools to treat irritated skin whenever it flares up (which is always at the worst possible time).
In the summer months, the body acne struggle is real, thanks to all the sweating we’re doing, and it’s so much trickier to hide. Bacne, underarm bumps, and chest and bum acne can make putting on a backless top or bikini particularly stressful, but with the right products, you can clear it up quickly. Peel pads and spot treatments do wonders, but the real work starts in the shower — with body wash. Ditch your caramel-strawberry-shimmery soap for one with tea tree oil, salicylic acid, or charcoal — and make sure to wash right after working out or hanging in a wet swimsuit by the pool all day.
Ahead, the best clarifying, exfoliating, and smoothing body washes for your skin type.
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ETTO All Over Body Foam, £29
Aussie brand ETTO’s Body Foam is already loved down under for being a gentle yet effective cleanser. It uses full-spectrum, steam extracted terpinen-4-ol, the primary component in the tea tree plant — this basically means that its tea tree in its purist, most unadulterated form, packed with all its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties. Combined with another antimicrobial (coconut), this body foam is exactly what is needed to combat body acne. Not only this though, fans have described using to heal sensitive skin, eczema, shaving rash, psoriasis and for their scalp and hair health (particularly dandruff).
ETTO All Over Body Foam, $, available at ETTO
Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap, £8
Papaya and grapefruit extracts work along with alpha hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate the dead skin cells blocking pores, while added oat protein and ginseng calms and refreshes sensitive skin.
Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap, $, available at Beauty Bay
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Bar for Face and Body, £18
With over 250 five-star reviews on Sephora, this product is an all-star. Technically, it’s for the face, but it clears up chest acne like a boss.
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Bar for Face and Body, $, available at Clinique
Nubian Heritage, Body Wash, African Black Soap, £12.80
Black soap is one of the oldest beauty secrets in the book, and for good reason. It sops up oil, clears acne, tightens skin, helps fade scarring, and exfoliates. But it can be a bit stripping for some, which is why this wash has aloe and vitamin E to soothe and hydrate, too.
Nubian Heritage Body Wash, African Black Soap, $, available at iHerb
The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Body Wash, £12
We love The Body Shop’s entire Tea Tree Oil line for breakout-prone, combination skin types. Just sniffing the scent is enough to clear sinuses; after a quick scrub, you’ll feel cleaner than a newborn, but never dry and tight.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Body Wash, $, available at The Body Shop
Murad Clarifying Body Spray, £46
Another great alternative for back acne is this body spray from Murad. Not only does it get into those hard to reach areas, salicylic acid works and antibacterial agents penetrate pores to prevent new breakouts.
Murad Clarifying Body Spray, $, available at Space NK
SkinCeuticals Blemish and Age Defense Corrective Gel, $, available at LookFantastic
Neutrogena Body Wash, Pink Grapefruit, $, available at iHerb
ViDerm Exfoliating Body Wash, $, available at Only Nature
Noxzema Deep Pore Daily Ultimate Clear Cleanser, £11.81, available at Amazon.
Level Naturals The Next Level of Natural Soap Tea Tree + Activated Charcoal Soap, £5.75, available at Level Naturals.
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