:Clear Skin Blog

Sure, your skin may be mostly clear, but let’s say you’ve got acne that just keeps cropping up in one or two trouble spots on your body. What do you do? Well, the first thing is to realize that locational acne may not be caused by the typical acne causes, and as such, the usual treatments may not solve your problem. Even vitamin B5 may not be enough if you are doing something on the outside to clog up those pores.

Locational acne can take many forms, but there are a few problem areas common to many acne sufferers. For instance, many people whose faces are otherwise clear, still get stubborn breakouts along their hairline or jawline. With these type of problems, always start out by asking: How am I treating that part of my body differently?

For hairline acne, consider the styling products you use on your hair. You might not have realized it, but hair gel can most certainly clog your pores. If you slather it on thick and don’t wash it off along your hairline, acne can crop up there. Consider using gentler, non-comedogenic styling products and just easing off on your applications.

Shaving is a common cause of irritation for men’s skin along the jawline. In fact, this can contribute to acne along your neck and cheeks as well, even if you don’t suffer from acne blemishes along the typical areas of your T-zone. Keep in mind that a lot of this is not traditional acne at all, but scar tissue and ingrown hairs. You may need a more skin-friendly shaving regimen. Learn to shave with the grain rather than against it (or consider dry shaving), and switch to a less harsh aftershave lotion. I’ve written several guides on this subject, so you may want to check the search bar.

Locational acne isn’t limited to your face. Perhaps the most infamous area is the dreaded back acne (or “bacne”). Again, ask yourself what that area of your body is exposed to. Do you sit all day with your back glued to the back of a chair? Yes, keeping your pores pressed against sweaty fabric can lead to blockage. Do what you can to minimize that pressure, and remember to exfoliate. Areas like your back can often get fewer opportunities to shed dead skin cells than other areas of the body. Get yourself a back scrubber with some texture and use it regularly in the shower, scrubbing gently but firmly, to make sure those dead cells aren’t hanging around longer than they need to.

Remember that even seemingly innocent products, like toothpaste, can irritate your skin when they get where they aren’t supposed to be (blemishes in the corners of your lips? Try using a non-fluoride toothpaste). Always keep an open mind when considering your acne problem. Once you narrow down the cause, almost any acne affliction is treatable, and clear skin may be easier to achieve than you think.

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Sure, vitamin B5 acne treatment will solve most people’s acne problems within a few weeks, but what happens if you’re one of those who either doesn’t respond to acne vitamins or has blemishes that have alternative causes. While rare, these problems can occasionally crop up and prove a real hindrance to your peace of mind. Acne is bad enough when you know what’s causing it. When you don’t, well that’s even worse.

So you’ve got a stubborn acne problem and the traditional solutions aren’t working. What steps should you take to narrow down what’s causing your acne? Let’s first narrow down the type of acne: is it locational acne (a certain trouble spot on your body) or general acne (everywhere)?

If you suffer from widespread general acne - the type that effects both your face and body and just doesn’t seem to stop, the first things you should consider are your diet and general hygiene. Do you eat a well-balanced diet? Are you getting enough leafy green vegetables (you should - those veggies are a great source of skin-healthy vitamins, more readily absorbed than in typical supplements)? Maybe you’re eating something you shouldn’t be. Eat a lot of dairy products? Dairy foods are a problem for many people with acne-prone skin. Try cutting down on them. Processed grains are another potential area to cut back. Eat more berries and other fruit, and, as always, drink a lot of water.

As for general hygiene, you know I’ve said repeatedly that, in almost all cases, acne is not caused by that little amount of dirt and bacteria on the surface of your skin. However, that doesn’t mean you should live like a total slob. If you are not regularly taking a shower, if you are not washing your face at least once per day (with a gentle cleanser), then you may be inviting trouble. It’s not just about the dirt. Washing helps you exfoliate dead skin cells - cells that may otherwise clog your pores.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, maybe you’re washing too much. Some people get obsessive over skin care (you know who you are!) , and end up with drawers full of topical creams, cleansers and toners which they wash with 4 times per day, constantly irritating their skin and preventing the skin from accruing a natural, healthy level of protective skin oil. They may use overly harsh products and nuke their skin on a daily basis. This is just as bad as not washing at all. Here’s a hint: those people you see with clear skin? They’re not constantly washing their face with some 5-step system whenever you’re not looking. They don’t have to - and neither do you! Give your skin some time to breathe. Don’t wash more than twice per day. Don’t constantly fuss over your skin. Get away from the mirror. And when you do wash, make sure you’re using gentle products that won’t irritate.

Tune in next time for some advice on locational acne!

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