GLM TEAM 
Summer is in full swing, and for those of us who are prone to body acne, this may be a tricky time of year.
Globally, adult acne is gaining momentum. Regular breakouts are becoming more and more common among men and women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and even beyond. But as many of us already know, it’s not just facial skin that’s at risk of breakouts. Body acne, also sometimes referred to as “bacne,” is commonly experienced by men and women in their teens and adulthood.
Body acne most commonly occurs on the back, chest, or buttocks and may be caused by several factors, such as genetics, hormones, or lifestyle habits.
Body acne can be classified into several categories, namely:
Acne mechanica: This type of body acne is caused by repeated friction or pressure on the skin. Think sweat-soaked clothing during a workout, exercise gear or workout equipment. Acne mechanica is common among athletes and among men and women who lead active lifestyles. When sweat sits on the skin for a prolonged period, it may clog pores, leading to breakouts.
Acne cosmetica: This refers to acne on the body caused by cosmetic products. Some products, such as shampoos and conditioners, contain pore-clogging ingredients like silicones and oils. When you use these products in the shower, they run down your neck, shoulders and back. If they are not rinsed off thoroughly, they may clog your pores and cause breakouts.
Hormonal body acne: Hormones play a significant role in the formation of acne. Hormonal changes can increase sebum production, leading to breakouts. This is particularly common among women going through puberty, pregnancy or menopause.
Fungal body acne: Also known as Malassezia folliculitis, fungal body acne is caused by a fungal infection of the hair follicles. This infection may lead to clusters of small, red, itchy bumps that sometimes grow bigger and turn into whiteheads.
Acne is a complex condition with many contributing factors, and may also be influenced by poor diet, stress, poor hygiene and genetics.
Managing body acne
Because there are so many causes of body acne, it’s essential to determine the cause of yours before embarking on a treatment or lifestyle change journey. Sometimes the reason is apparent – you may come home drenched in sweat from the gym every day, and know that this is a probable cause. Other times, the cause may not be that obvious.
Speak to your medical practitioner to determine the best course of action for treating your body acne. They’ll put you on the right path with a treatment plan and solution tailored to your skin’s unique needs.
While each case of body acne requires customised treatment, there are a few simple lifestyle changes we can all make to help prevent the formation of breakouts and keep our skin healthier and clearer:
Shower straight after your workout
One key to managing body acne is to remove sweat from your skin as soon as possible. If you can, take a shower right after your workout. Suppose you can’t pat your skin dry after your workout and change into a fresh set of clothing. Shower as soon as you are able.
Use a salicylic acid cleanser
Salicylic acid is a great ingredient to treat breakout-prone skin. It gently exfoliates, prevents the build-up of dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and reduces the redness and swelling that sometimes accompany breakouts.
Do laundry often and thoroughly
Sweat, dead skin cells, and cosmetic products get absorbed into fabric, such as your clothes and bedding. Wash your sheets and pillowcase regularly, and don’t wear yesterday’s workout gear again before washing it. For heavily soiled clothing, consider adding bicarb to your wash and avoid heavily perfumed washing powders.
Always choose non-comedogenic cosmetics
Many body care products (including shampoo, conditioner, and body washes) contain oils, silicones, waxes, and fragrances that may clog pores and cause skin irritation. Avoid these, and opt for gentle, non-comedogenic, or non-acnegenic formulas instead.
Take advantage of the benefits of a hypochlorous acid spray
Hypochlorous acid is one of the most versatile and beneficial ingredients you can apply to your skin. A powerful, natural antimicrobial agent, it serves as an effective disinfectant that kills bacteria, viruses and fungi while speeding up wound healing and reducing inflammation. It is an excellent product for acne, as it soothes the skin, kills bacteria, and reduces inflammation. A hypochlorous acid spray is excellent for hard-to-reach places like the back and can be applied whenever necessary (it’s a great post-workout product!).
Biomedical Emporium’s new Helix Series is a retinol-free skincare system designed to treat oily, acne-prone skin in both adults and teens.
The four-step system consists of:
Biomedical Emporium Helix Target Cleanse (R415.00)
A refreshing daily cleanser designed to deeply cleanse the skin, remove impurities, and refine the appearance of pores while maintaining balance and comfort.
Biomedical Emporium Helix Hypochlorous Acid (R308.00)
A gentle hypochlorous acid spray that helps calm the skin, reduce visible redness, and support a balanced, healthy skin environment.
Biomedical Emporium Helix NanoZyme (R382.00)
A targeted treatment formulated to help visibly reduce blemishes while calming the skin and supporting a clearer-looking complexion.
Biomedical Emporium Helix DermHydrix (R542.00)
A lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser that hydrates, nourishes, and helps restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier without feeling heavy.
For more information, visit https://biomedicalemporium.com/.
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