How to Get Rid of Acne on Your Chest

You want to wear a swimsuit or maybe a low-cut dress or top, but you've got all of the signs of chest acne. Pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, cysts and even lesions form on your chest because of all of the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands on this part of your body. Fortunately, you can take several steps to get rid of acne on your chest by following these simple tips. Treat chest acne the same way you would acne on your face or any other part of your body. If you still have some spots after following the treatments, then you can disguise chest acne with a couple of quick tricks.

Step 1: Treating Chest Acne

1) Choose a soap that fights acne. Use a loofah scrubbing sponge and a soap containing cucumber, azulene or salicylic acid while you’re in the shower.

• Soaps containing these ingredients serve as drying agents, which will help to curb acne.
• If you scrub too roughly, you'll deplete your skin's natural oils, and you'll irritate your acne. Always scrub your chest gently to get rid of dead skin cells.
• Take a shower every day. If you don't clean your skin, you invite sebum and bacteria to collect on its surface, causing acne.

2) Apply a topical "zit zapper." The cream should have a concentration of salicylic acid between 0.5 and 2 percent. Smear the cream directly over your acne to dry out and heal the spot more quickly.

3) Use benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide fights the bacteria that cause acne, and assists in drying out and peeling dead layers of skin on the epidermis.^[1]

4) Make sure to exfoliate. Exfoliating is removing the dead layers of skin on the epidermis, or the top layer of skin. Exfoliating can help decrease the incidence of chest acne. Purchase or make your own body scrub, apply it to the skin on your chest, and watch the acne go away.

• Chest acne is often the result of clogged hair follicles or pores, which causes sebum to build up. This ultimately leads to acne.^[2] Men tend to have chests covered with hair, while women tend to wear more tight-fitting bras and tops. Both of these may contribute to chest acne, making exfoliation very important.

5) Smooth on a mask. Look for masks made of mud or charcoal or try a mask that contains mandelic acid.

• Mud or charcoal mask. Rub this mask on your chest twice per week and then rinse it off. A mask will cleanse the area and unclog your pores.^[3]
• Mandelic acid mask. These masks are usually applied 10 to 15 minutes before a shower. Then, you'll rinse the mask off with some specially formulated acne wash.
• You can also try a clay-based mask or a mask containing tea tree oil. Many people think that tea tree oil is a good treatment for a variety of skin conditions.

6) Make an aspirin paste. Aspirin actually contains salicylic acid^[4], which both dries out acne and reduces inflammation caused by acne. This makes it the perfect candidate for an effective paste.

• Crush 2 aspirin tablets and combine with one teaspoon of water and one teaspoon of honey. Apply to the chest, or where necessary, and let dry for 10 minutes. Wash off with cool water.

Step 2: Preventing Future Acne On Your Chest

1) Wear cotton or linen tops. Cotton and linen are the most breathable fabrics, and they let sweat evaporate instead of forming a layer on your chest that clogs your pores and invites bacteria to grow.

2) Change your diet. Eat a handful of walnuts every day to reduce skin inflammation. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Get lean protein, such as poultry breast or soy, into your diet, along with whole grains and omega-3 fatty acids.

• People who eat more fruits and veggies, and less milk and sugar, tend to have less acne.^[5] Make sure you get 5 to 9 servings of healthy vegetables (especially leafy greens) per day.
• Healthy fats, like omega-3s, help fight inflammation and promote healthy cells.^[6]Omega-3s are damaged by oxygen, meaning if you eat foods that are rich in omega-3s, try to eat them raw. Foods rich in omega-3s include:
• Fish, particularly salmon, sardines, and herring.^[7]
• Seeds and nuts, particularly flaxseed.^[7]
• Leafy greens, particularly spinach and arugula.^[7]

3) Drink plenty of water. Your skin is the largest organ in your body. Like other organs, it needs plenty of water to stay hydrated and functioning on a healthy level. Many doctors recommend that you drink between 9 and 12 cups of water per day (2.2 to 3 liters), depending on whether you are a girl or guy.^[8]

• Cut sweet, sugary drinks like sodas, juices, and smoothies out of your diet. Although the evidence has been disputed for decades, new reports seem to indicate that dietsdo have a substantial effect on acne, listing sugar as a trigger.^[5] Sugars cause a spike in insulin, which in turn stimulates certain pimple producing hormones.
• Unsweetened green may work, too. Green tea contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals; free radicals affect the cells that may be responsible for signs of aging in the skin. For a healthy alternative to water, brew some tasty and healthy green tea!

4) Skip dairy products. Dairy products contain hormones from cows, and these hormones stimulate your pores and your oil glands. If you have to drink milk, choose skim milk. The hormones are largely concentrated in the fatty portion of the milk, so drinking skim will limit your exposure.^[9]

5) Use non-comedogenic body lotion to prevent additional breakouts.^[10] Look for labels that say "non-comedogenic" or "oil-free." Comedogenic ingredients have a tendency to clog pores.

• Comedogenic ingredients include cocoa butter, pigments and dyes, coal tar and isopropyl myristate.
• If your skin is oily, you should always look for non-comedogenic lotion and cleansers.^[11]

6) Wash your hands after you go to the bathroom. If you have germ-ridden hands and then touch your chest, you transfer bacteria onto your chest skin that can clog your pores. So wash up. You'll not only prevent acne but also a variety of diseases.

7) Remove as much unhealthy stress from your life as possible. Doctors aren't completely sure why, but they do know that there is a link between stress and skin disorders, specifically stress and acne. Somehow, the cells that produce sebum, which is the stuff that ultimately causes acne, become unregulated when a person experiences a lot of stress.^[12]

• Get plenty of rest. Doctors know that the less you sleep, the more likely you are to experience stress throughout the day.^[13] And the more stress you experience, the worse your acne gets.

8) Exercise. Exercising is almost a universal panacea. In this case, exercise promotes healthy circulation and helps ease anxiety and stress. So find an excuse to run — or walk — around the block, join an intramural sports team, or hit the stationary bike.

• Shower after you exercise. This is very important. Your pores may be clogged with sweat after you exercise. If you shower and clean them, there's a good chance that you might avoid some of the chest acne that is caused by simple neglect after exercising.

Part 3: Digesting Chest Acne

1) Dab your blemish with a cotton swab that you've soaked in hydrogen peroxide.

• Alternately, dab a blemish with a Q-Tip that you've soaked in eye drops (used for redness relief). Eye drops can help reduce inflammation and the visibility of redness. For added relief, place the soaked Q-Tip in the freezer for 30 to 60 minutes before applying.

2) Apply a concealer that contains salicylic acid. Choose concealer that's 1 shade darker than your skin tone.

3) Add a layer of foundation that matches your usual skin tone.

4) Dust your chest with powder.^[14] You should be good to go.

5) Try calamine lotion if you don't want to use makeup. The pink color masks the acne while providing relief from the irritation.

Tips - 

• Acne can be aggravated by stress. Take steps to relieve stress so that you can minimize your chance of having a breakout.
• If you spray perfume on your chest, discontinue that. It may aggravate your pores or clog/close them.
• If nothing's working, talk to a dermatologist. You can use prescription creams or oral medications that will have marked results.
• Any regimen that you try could take up to 6 weeks to work. Don't give up too quickly on something that may eventually be effective.
• If you do apply lotion, try eczama lotion. It will not clog pores and it will moisturize!
• Eat less fried food and avoid soft drinks if possible, so that less sugar and oil are produced from your body.
• When wearing low cut shirts, try to wear a matching tank top to hide all those little imperfections. try cotton as it is easier on the skin, but do not use fabric softener because it clog the pores on your chest, and create irritation.

GET THIS GREAT E-BOOK ON GETTING RID OF YOUR ACNE

How to Get Rid of Acne Without Using Medication

Acne vulgaris (commonly called acne) is a skin disease caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units. So that's the scientific definition of acne. But we all know what acne is and how embarrassing it is. There is nothing worse than waking up in the morning to find a nice big zit on your face. There are ways that you can help to get rid of acne, without using any medications.

Create A Natural Mask - 

Step 1: Combine several crushed aspirins, water and honey to create a salicylic acid mask. Salicylic acid is a common way to attack acne and rid your skin of inflammation.

• Mix five to several regular aspirins with only a hint of water. Be sure you fully crush the aspirin in order to achieve the full effect.
• Add one teaspoon of honey, which acts an antibacterial agent. Not only will the honey kill any facial bacteria, it will also soften and moisten the skin.
• Leave mask on your face for up to 15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.

Step 2: Put egg on your face to regulate and smooth acne prone skin. The B vitamins and zinc properties in eggs will actually combat zits and regulate your skin to its natural state.

• Crack three eggs into the bowl, separating yolk from whites. You will only be applying the egg whites to your face so consider saving the yolk for a recipe.
• Whisk together until whites are fully combined and then apply to a clean face. You may want to consider doing this over the sink as this mask can be messy.
• Allow whites to dry for up to 20 minutes and then rinse well with soap and water. Because you are dealing with raw eggs, be sure you fully wash and cleanse your face.

Step 3: Create an oil absorbing oatmeal mask. The starch in oatmeal is known to remove oil, while at the same time moisturizing the skin.

• Combine one cup of regular oatmeal (not steel cut) with 2/3 cup of boiling hot water. Mix well and then allow the oatmeal to cool.
• Add ¼ cup of honey to the cooled oatmeal and combine. The honey will act as an antibacterial and moisturizing agent.
• Apply to clean skin and allow it to dry for up to 20 minutes. Rinse well with mild soap and warm water.

Step 4: Apply a baking soda mask to remove dead skin cells. Dead skin cells are often the culprit to breakouts and a dull complexion.

• Mix ½ cup of baking soda with a teaspoon of warm water. You want to create a paste so either reduce or add water depending upon the consistency.
• Slater over clean skin and gently rub across the face. Rubbing will stimulate the dead skin to loosen and leave the face.
• Rinse with warm water and mild soap after you've fully massaged the skin. This mask does not require a certain amount of time on the face. The gentle massage will do the trick for you.

Apply Nature Home Remedies -

Step 1: Create a tonic using apple cider vinegar. The malic and lactic acids in apple cider vinegar will not only remove oil and bacteria, it will also exfoliate dead skin cells.

• Mix one part cider vinegar with one part distilled water. If possible, combine in a bottle that contains a lid you can shake and mix.
• Pour on a clean cotton ball and rub all over your face. Apply the cider tonic the same way you would any other facial tonic.
• Mask the unpleasant odor of cider vinegar by adding green tea to the mixture. If the smell of cider vinegar makes your toes curl, add something like green tea or any other compound containing essential oils.

Step 2: Slap a few raw potato slices on your face to heal acne. Especially if you’ve given in and picked a pimple, placing freshly sliced potatoes on the problem can not only soothe but reduce the possibility of scaring.

• Skin and slice one regular, raw potato. Potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, and chloride in the potato will heal sore pimples.
• Leave the potato slices on the acne areas for up to 30 minutes. Not only are you healing your pimples, you are also exfoliating and cleaning the area.

Make Changes In Your Daily Routine - 

Step 1: Don't pop pimples. When you pop that zit you're only removing the visible, surface level problem.

When you pop that zit you're only removing the visible, surface level problem. But zits are caused by a number of conditions, and not addressing those will only assure that more zits appear. So while popping a zit may seem like the fast solution, it is really only a temporary solution. Not only is it a temporary solution, but you will also be left with acne scars that may or may not go away.

Step 2: Remove stress from your life. Much easier said than done right? Although everyday stress is inevitable, try to avoid stressing out over things by taking a natural approach to relaxation.

• Try meditation or yoga. Visualization or surrounding yourself with a calming presence can often minimize the effects of stress and provide you with a relaxing posture.
• Hit the gym. Run, lift or box out of your stress. Releasing endorphins during workouts can lighten your mood.
• Evaluate your environment. In addition to a toxic work or home environments, environmental pollutants and even food additives can make you anxious.

Step 3: Wash but don’t over wash your face. Over washing your face can irritate the skin and create redness.

• Use a mild soap that has been approved for removing bacteria. Don’t use regular hand soap, but instead make sure the soap you use is approved for the face.
• Apply soap and water with clean fingers or a cotton washcloth. Massage gently without scrubbing.

Step 4: Wash your hair frequently. Remove and reduce oil from your hair, which could be transposed to your face.

• Pull hair away from the face. After a long day in the “trenches” errant hair on your skin may be harboring bacteria that could promote acne.

Step 5: Wash your pillow case frequently. The oils and residue from your face lands on the pillow, creating a hotbed for pimple producing opportunities. Consider washing or changing your pillow case every few days to reduce the chances of pillow-borne acne.

Tips - 

• When applying hair gels or sprays, try your best not to allow any to touch your face as they can clog your pores.
• When wearing makeup, always make sure the makeup is labeled "non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic."
• When you wear makeup, don't overload because it may sink into your pores, and remember to wash it off every night.
• When you are washing your face, try to avoid using a wash rag. It is better to use your hands because using a wash rag will simply spread the infection around your entire face.
• Spending time outside in the sun will in fact help to reduce or remove your acne. Getting a tan may help to temporarily cover up your zits, however, when your skin returns to its normal color you will see the acne again. Make sure to always apply a non-comedogenic sun screen of at least 15 SPF to your skin before heading outside for a length of time. If you stayed in the sun long enough to burn to the point where your skin peels, that may reduce your acne temporarily because of the faster regeneration of your skin. However, the risk of skin cancer makes that approach undesirable.
• The use of a basic astringent or toner can provide additional benefits even if it isn't a standard acne medicine. Witch hazel, hydrogen peroxide, and rubbing alcohol can reduce pore size and kill surface germs on the skin. They may also cause skin irritation, so use sparingly at first until you know how your skin will tolerate the treatment.

GET THIS GREAT E-BOOK ON GETTING RID OF YOUR ACNE

How to Use Natural Remedies to Treat Acne

So, you have heard that there is nothing that you can do to treat your pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, acne, or acne scars without spending money on Proactiv, Accutane, or Retin-A. Although, Proactiv, Accutane, and Retin-A work for some individuals, they are not the only acne solutions. There are several things you can do from home to help your acne, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, or acne scars; and you don’t have to use chemicals found in Proactiv, Accutane, and Retin-A to help your acne, many natural remedies have been proven to be extremely effective.

1

Step 1: Try using witch hazel and lemon juice as an astringent. If you have oily skin and believe this exacerbates your acne or pimples, witch hazel and lemon juice are an all-natural remedy to remove excess oil from your skin. You can find organic witch-hazel at Vitamin Shoppe (www.vitaminshoppe.com). Lemon juice can be found at your local grocer.

Step 2: Drink more tea. Tea has extremely effective skin-healing, purifying, and antioxidant properties that have been proven to aid in acne and acne scar reduction. Red tea and chamomile tea have particularly been found to be therapeutic in reducing acne, acne scars, whiteheads, and blackheads. Additionally, chamomile has been found to stop acne, especially in the essential oil form because of its powerful effects. Celestial Seasonings (www.celestialseasonings.com) makes both chamomile and red teas and they cost relatively little. Drink about 2-3 cups a day. Your acne-prone skin will thank you. You can also add honey and lemon, which both are great for skin health and acne.

Step 3: Remove excess oils, dirt, toxins, and free radicals from Your Skin. Exfoliating is a must for anyone who has acne, pimples, or acne scars. The key, however, is not too overscrub your acne and to find a gentle acne cleanser. Look for a scrub that is all natural and contains scar and acne healing ingredients, such as lemon, baking soda, orange, chamomile, aloe vera, and salicylic acid.

Step 4: Make an all natural acne-eliminating potion. Wash your face 2 times a day with the following: 1 tablespoon of witch hazel, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of brewed green Tea, and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Your skin should show a difference.

Step 5: Baking soda for microdermabrasion therapy. Baking soda is commonly found in many skin care and toothpaste products. It acts as a polishing agent for the teeth and face. MIx 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoon of purified or distilled water and massage the solution onto the acne scar for 1 minute. Then rinse off with lukewarm water.

Step 6: Steam your face. Hold your face over a basin of warm, not scalding hot water for 1-2 minutes. Then place cold ice cubes on your pores. This will tighten your pores and help your acne.

Tips: 

• Do not warm water too hot when steaming face. Please be careful. More does not always equal better!
• Another method might be to use flutter soil (multani mitti) and lemon water. Mix both of them and use daily, it will also help to resolve your acne.
• Make sure you use a clean towel, pat dry, and Don't rub.
• Be careful not to rub your skin too hard! Be as gentle with your skin as possible, especially in areas with acne.

Thing You'll Need

• All Natural Exfoliating Acne Cleanser, such as Naturally Clear Scrub
• Organic Witch Hazel
• Organic Lemon Juice
• Red Tea
• Baking Soda
• Green Tea
• Water
• Ice Cubes
• Chamomile

GET THIS GREAT E-BOOK ON GETTING RID OF YOUR ACNE