A Bedtime Hack to Reduce Body Acne

It’s one thing to have acne on your face, but it’s another to have it on your body. Don’t get us wrong: Acne is unwelcome anywhere, but if we had to pick where to have zits crop up, our vote would go to our complexion. Think about it: Facial blemishes can be camouflaged in a pinch with the right high-coverage foundation and concealer handy, and the public would be none the wiser. Body pimples are not as easy to hide, especially if they cover a large surface area of skin. Applying foundation to your chest, back, and neck, blending it out, setting it, etc. can take a very long time, and, let’s be real, isn’t a very good option. It’s also not feasible to rely on a wardrobe—re: turtleneck and sweatpants—to cover the zits when weather conditions are warm and humid.

Given the setbacks, it’s crucial to take steps to reduce body breakouts. How? We’re glad you asked! Keep reading to learn how to keep body acne to a minimum—plus, a bedtime hack that might just save your acne-prone skin. 

HOW TO REDUCE BODY BREAKOUTS 

According to board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com expert Dr. Lisa Ginn, acne that appears on the body, but not on the face, is often caused by sweat enzymes sitting on the skin for too long, mixing with dirt, oil, and impurities, and causing breakouts. If you’re a gym-goer, don’t delay a shower for too long post-workout. Even if it’s just a quick rinse-off, it’s important to get some soap and water on your body within 10 minutes after exercise.

A BEDTIME HACK TO TRY

But what about the sweating that occurs mid-REM? Night sweats, hot flashes, or just a lack of air conditioning are common reasons for sweating during sleep. In some cases, profuse sweating in the middle of the night can wake one up (at which point you should change your sheets and hop in the shower!), but sometimes it’s not realized until morning. If the latter is true for you, there’s a high likelihood for breakouts to brew on your body overnight. Talk about a rude awakening! 

To keep conditions a little bit drier, why not try moisture-wicking fabrics? There are plenty of lightweight, breathable athletic clothing options that offer built-in technology to remove moisture and dampness away from the skin. If you don’t want to sleep in gym clothes (understandable), reach for temperature-regulating (and moisture-wicking!) sleepwear that’s comfy and soft. Same goes for sheets, pillowcases, and bedding. It might work. It might not. But really, what have you got to lose?