As if face acne was embarrassing, acne on the back (bacne) and chest (chestne) is just as bad, maybe even worst. Unfortunately, acne can form on any part of the body; those who already suffer from acne are more likely to have breakouts on their back and chest as well.

Acne is the most common skin disease; it occurs when glands, called sebaceous glands, in the follicles of the skin become overactive. These glands then produce sebum, an oily substance that helps to stop the skin from drying out. When sebum is excessively produced, it forms a plug with dead skin cells and blocks the follicle.

As the spring and summer seasons approach, breakouts on the chest and back are more likely to occur; because of higher temperatures, pores clog from sweat and friction from your clothing rubs against your skin which causes an increase of bacteria on your body.

However, don’t freak out just yet, luckily, there are various ways to banish back and chest acne before the upcoming seasons swing around. So you ready? Here are 16 tips you need to know to banish back and chest acne for good:

1. Shower Regularly and Use an Acne-Fighting Cleanser

Showering regularly is a must; if you have oilier skin, shower daily. It’s necessary to shower right after a workout, you don’t want that sweat lingering onto your skin, and the sooner you can wash off the sweat and bacteria, the better!

When choosing a body cleanser, go for natural acne-fighting treatment products such as Keeva Organics Body Wash or Keeva Organics Soap, these products are bound to fight body acne as well leaving your skin feeling moisturized.

2. Use a Topical Treatment

 After showering, gently towel off until completely dried. Then apply a natural cream to body or areas of concern.

Try using Keeva Organics Acne Treatment Cream; it contains only natural ingredients, with the leading acne fighting ingredient, tea tree oil.

3. Use a Body Brush

It’s hard to reach the back areas, we get it; but when this happens, a lot of the times we skip or miss those hard to reach areas. The best way to avoid this is to use a soft body brush with a long handle. When washing, don’t scrub too hard! Scrub gently in order to prevent further irritation and breakouts.

4. Exfoliate, Exfoliate and Exfoliate!

You probably get the picture by now, but exfoliating is important! When you exfoliate, it removes the dead layers of skin on the epidermis, also known as the top layer of skin. Exfoliating can help decrease the occurrence of chest acne and help acne marks fade.

When excessively sweating, it’s essential to make sure you wipe down with a cleansing toilette or toner during a workout.

Shoot for exfoliating 2-3 times per week.

5. Try Out a Mask

Put on a mask before bed; mud or charcoal masks are the best when cleansing the area. Rub these masks on your chest or back twice per week and then rinse off.

You can try a clay-based mask or a mask containing tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a popular known to fight acne ingredient.

6. Stop Picking It!

It’s super tempting; we all know and are all guilty of doing it. Picking and scratching the irritated area(s) will just make matters worse; and will do no good, not to mention can easily cause scarring and possibly introduce new bacteria to the area.

Make sure you are washing your hands after you go to the bathroom or throughout the day when needed. Your hands contain a lot of germs and when we touch our chest or any parts of our body, we are transferring bacteria onto our skin, which can clog our pores.

7. Wear Cotton or Linen Tops

Be mindful with the types of fabric you wear; certain fabrics such as lace or textured can cause friction against your skin, and lead to irritation and acne breakouts. Cotton and linen fabrics on the other hand, are the most breathable fabrics, as they allow sweat to evaporate instead of forming a layer on your chest or back.

Spandex or anything tight-fitted should be avoided as well. Tight-fitted materials trap oil and moisture, preventing the skin from being able to breathe. This can cause clogged up pores and bad breakouts.

8. Eat Healthy

You’d be surprised, with how certain foods can make a difference with your overall skin. Eating certain foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meat, etc. can definitely help clear up your skin, while giving it a healthier tone.

Try your best to avoid dairy products, sugar, high-glycemic foods (white bread, white rice, potato chips, and cookies/cake), junk food and fast food – studies have shown these foods make acne worse.

If you must have something sweet, opt to dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is the healthiest kind of chocolate you can try. It also contains zinc, an acne-fighting nutrient!

9. Stay Active

While eating healthy, exercise is also important as it promotes healthy circulation and helps ease anxiety and stress. Running, walking, biking, are all great exercises that can easily be done without a gym.

But don’t forget to shower right after to prevent bacteria from building up!

10. Drink A Lot of Water

Water is an everyday essential. You should be drinking between 8-12 glasses a day. Say no to any sweet, sugary drinks like sodas, juices and smoothies; these contain a ton of sugar! Sugar can stimulate pimple producing hormones.

Green tea is also another great alternative for your diet. It’s rich in polyphenols, which increase blood-flow and oxygen to the skin, improving its overall look, feel and health.

11. Use Non-Comedogenic Body Lotion

When searching for the right body lotion, look for labels that say ‘no-comedogenic’ or ‘oil-free.’ Comedogenic ingredients have a tendency to clog pores.

Comedogenic contains cocoa butter, pigments and dyes, coal tar and isopropyl myristate. It’s best to avoid this when your skin is oily.

12. Wash Your Sheets

Washing your sheets regularly is a good routine to do. Your sheets may look clean, but they are actually covered in bacteria, skin cells and other germy microorganisms that secretly creep up on you while you’re sleeping. Eek!

Be mindful when choosing the right laundry detergent before all else.

13. Live a Stress-Free Life

Easier said than done, but stress is a main common factor of acne. It’s said that when stress triggers, the cells that produce sebum become unregulated.

Don’t skip out on sleep! Getting at least 7-8 hours of night’s rest is essential and you are more likely are to experience less stress throughout the day.

14. Avoid Fabric Softener and Choose the Right Laundry Detergent

Fragrances and other chemicals can react with sensitive skin and cause breakouts, especially after trying out a new detergent. Instead try choosing fragrance-free, unscented detergents to prevent any future breakouts or irritation.

15. Take an Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal soaks excessive sebum and oil off of your skin, removing away dirt and other toxins in the process, as well as exfoliates to remove dead skin cells.

Grind the oatmeal and then mix the oatmeal with warm bath water in your tub. While mixed well, soak for 20-30 minutes and repeat daily.

16. Use Apple Cider Vinegar

This stuff works wonders to your skin and overall health! Apple cider vinegar has the power to balance the body’s pH levels, fights bacteria and reduces inflammation.

An easy way of using apple cider vinegar is by spraying it on your chest and back areas. Mix the apple cider vinegar and water, and then fill the mixture into the spray bottle. Spray the mixture every night on your areas of concern before going to sleep. If necessary, you can also spray it during the day for about 10-20 minutes before washing it off. You can keep this mixture in your fridge for cooling effect on your acne breakouts.

Acne can be embarrassing and bothersome, but if you use these 16 tips, you are on your way to get rid of your back and chest acne for good. Before buying over-the-counter medicines and creams, you should always opt to natural ingredient acne-fighting products instead. Keeva Organics Acne Treatment contains tea tree oil, an all-natural and powerful acne-fighting ingredient. This product will get you one step closer to the skin you want.