Body acne? Here’s how to use the Clearing Duo.
— Soft Services newsletter
(and what to try first)
Soft Services Soft Services BODY ACNE? No product will cure it alone. Breakouts are often the result of certain easily addressable lifestyle choices, so before adding anything to cart, try an elimination diet of sorts: —Swap for clean towels, tight clothes, and sheets often, and keep skin dry. Bacteria and fungus love warm, moist environments. —Try fragrance-free laundry detergent and avoid fabric softener (white vinegar is a good alternative).
Added fragrances and softening ingredients can inflame and clog skin, worsening acne. —The less friction, the better—itchy fabrics, straps from backpacks and bras, and harsh scrubbing can inflame skin and spread bacteria. Avoid physical exfoliants. —Hair products can clog pores. If you use leave-in products, avoid letting hair come into contact with bare skin, and try to rinse conditioner while bending forward so the water streams away from your body skin.
NOW FOR: The Clearing Duo The hot, humid environments underneath clothes and hair create the perfect breeding ground for acne-causing microbes, often paired with patchy discoloration and fungal concerns. Breakouts and pimples on backs, chests, butts, and necks are different from facial acne, and need formulas tailored for body skin. Use Clearing Clay as a mask, wash, or spot treatment.
Start your treatment off strong with the mask method: hop in the shower and wash body with a mild cleanser and pat dry. Smear a thin layer of the Clearing Clay over back, chest, and/or butt and let penetrate into skin for 10 minutes while it dries. Rinse with water and pat skin with a towel.
To fight body acne daily, use the Clearing Clay in the shower on breakout zones as a wash-on treatment, which will deposit a smaller dose of the active ingredients on skin, but is easier to incorporate in your day-to-day routine than the mask method. This method is also good to prevent more acne once you have your breakouts under control.
For any inflamed spots that pop up needing emergency attention, dab on a small amount of the Clearing Clay and leave on overnight, removing with a damp towel in the morning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “I was so amazed by how this cleared up my skin. I wasn’t dealing with serious acne, but the occasional breakout on my chest and overall congested-looking texture. After one use, my skin felt softer and I haven’t had any breakouts since using it.
” — M, 33 Shop Clearing Clay — $28 Spray Clearing Mist on clean, dry skin after showering—namely your chest, back, and butt. The quick-dry formula disappears immediately, and the ultrafine mist covers hard-to-reach body parts. Bonus: the mist won’t bleach your clothes or towels. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “I can’t believe something like this didn’t exist before. Absolutely amazing product…it makes so much sense to have a post-shower spray.
I have had acne on my butt since puberty and it is something that I’m frequently self-conscious of. ” — S, 30 Shop Clearing Mist — $25 Two products formulated to work together to treat body issues that pop up when we work out, or otherwise get sweat, trapping bacteria and fungus against our skin. Shop Clearing Duo — $54
Tags: Guides, Routine, Body Acne, Discoloration, Dry Skin, Fungal Infections, Clearing Mist