Keep that smooth AF.
By Celia Shatzman, Women's Health
Talk about a (literal) pain in the butt: You can actually get acne on your booty.
But “buttne” isn’t quite the same as the zits that pop up on your face—more like acne's annoying cousin. “Butt acne is usually not true acne, but rather folliculitis, which is a mild infection of the hair follicle that leads to red bumps and pus pimples,” explains Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City.
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The main causes of butt acne are sweating and chafing ~down there~, making those of us who hit the gym and wear leggings on the reg more likely to get it. #blessed
But no, you don't have to swear off SoulCycle to see things clear up. Zeichner shares five ways to prevent and get rid of butt acne:
1. Hop in the shower right after exercising
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Every. Single. Time. “Showering immediately after a workout can help remove sweat, oil, and dirt that accumulate on the surface of the skin,” says Zeichner. “Sitting in your wet workout clothes can increase your risk of developing butt acne. Stick to gentle cleansers (like Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar) that effectively remove dirt without disrupting the outer skin layer.”
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2. Suds up with benzoyl peroxide
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In the shower, try targeting your booty with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser. “Benzoyl peroxide can be effective in treating both true acne and folliculitis because it has antimicrobial (a.k.a. bacteria-fighting) properties to help disinfect the area,” Zeichner says. “Use your cleanser (like Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser) as a short contact therapy. Taking the time to apply it by singing the alphabet will allow the product to sit on the skin long enough for it to do its job, and then rinse off.” (FYI: BP can bleach colored fabrics, so be sure to rinse thoroughly and use white towels!)
3. Unclog pores with salicylic acid
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You can also combat your buttne with a salicylic acid cleanser or treatment (like Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads). Zeichner says this beta hydroxy acid can help remove excess oils and exfoliate dead skin cells so they don't get trapped in your pores and follicles (which is how buttne starts).
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4. Exfoliate and brighten with glycolic acid
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This is another buttne-fighting ingredient. “Similar to salicylic acid and lactic acid, glycolic acid is extremely helpful at keeping the pores clear and improving butt acne,” Zeichner says. “It also has the benefit of brightening dark spots, which may develop after pimples or folliculitis go away.” Try Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser. It was originally developed to keep the pores smaller and Zeichner finds it extremely effective when used on the bum.
5. Moisturize that peach
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While you might assume slathering on lotion will clog your pores even more, that's not the case if you use a lactic-acid packed option like AmLactin Body Lotion. “Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps hydrate the skin and exfoliate dead cells,” Zeichner says. And when you get rid of dry skin cells, that helps prevent those bumps. (That's why it also works for preventing keratosis pilaris, a.k.a. chicken skin.)
See more at: Women's Health
