How to Get Rid of Chest Acne

Acne is a skin condition that affects over 40 million Americans in their lifetime.

It’s usually characterized by blemishes that develop on the face, but acne can also form on areas like the chest, back, and shoulders.

Many blemish treatments are targeted for breakouts that appear on the face, making it difficult to find something that works for body acne.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the causes of chest acne and how to get rid of chest acne breakouts.

What is Acne?

Acne is a skin condition that develops when the small openings on the skin — called pores — get clogged by impurities and cause blemishes to form.

Pores exist all over the body, which is why you can experience acne breakouts almost anywhere.

These breakouts will likely be characterized by the following blemishes:

• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Pus-filled bumps called pustules or pimples

In severe cases, you might also develop acne cysts or nodules. These are large, painful blemishes that form deep underneath the surface of the skin.

What Causes Chest Acne?

Similarly to breakouts that develop on the face, chest acne can be caused by a number of factors.

Let’s take a look at the different causes of chest acne.

Chest Acne Causes - A buildup of impurities

One of the most common causes of chest acne is a buildup of impurities like dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells.

When these impurities mix with sebum (oil), they can form a plug that clogs the pores and causes acne to develop.

This type of buildup usually occurs in people who:

• Deal with excessive sweating
• Have oily skin
• Experience fluctuating hormones, like women going through menopause or teenagers during puberty
• Practice poor personal hygiene

Chest Acne Causes - Frequent contact with irritants

Chest acne can also be caused by frequent skin irritation. This can be brought on by:

• Wearing itchy or scratchy clothes
• Using body lotions, washes, or scrubs that contain harsh chemicals
• Some laundry detergents
• Wearing tight clothing
• Staying in sweaty clothes after working out

The abovementioned irritants can dry out the skin, leaving it vulnerable to breakouts like chest acne.

Factors like tight clothing can also prevent the skin’s normal cycle of shedding impurities, making it difficult to remove dead skin cells and dirt from its surface.

This increases the chances of pores becoming clogged with excess impurities and causing chest acne breakouts.

Chest Acne Causes - Medication

Acne can also develop as a side effect of some medications, like antidepressants.

This is because these drugs are designed to stabilize emotions and supply the brain with dopamine — often leading to a perceived boost in energy.

Patients who experience this boost may have trouble sleeping, a factor that is known to put the body under oxidative stress. This stressful state is what often causes acne to develop.

Chest Acne Causes - Hormonal imbalance

A hormonal imbalance — like during a menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause — can contribute to chest acne breakouts.

The body often releases a hormone called androgen when women go through the above mentioned stages.

Androgens are known to increase the amount of sebum (oil) the body produces.

Although sebum is necessary to keep the skin moisturized, an excessive amount can contribute to clogged pores.

Chest Acne Causes - Lifestyle factors

Certain lifestyle factors can also contribute to or worsen an acne breakout. These may include:

• Poor diet
• Frequent stress

These aspects affect the amount of sebum the body produces and its ability to ward off damage from external pollutants and environmental factors like excessive sun exposure.

When oil builds up on the skin, it can cause blemishes to develop.

Chest Acne Treatment

The treatment options for chest acne will depend on the severity of your breakout.

Usually, breakouts are mild and can be treated with over-the-counter products and lifestyle changes.

Severe acne breakouts should be diagnosed by a licensed healthcare professional. They will also be able to recommend a treatment plan based on your needs.

OTC and at-home chest acne treatments

One of the most effective ways to treat chest acne is using suitable cleansing and moisturizing products, as well as making a few lifestyle changes.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these.

• Shower regularly: Chest acne tends to show up when impurities aren’t removed from the surface of the skin frequently enough. Make sure to shower at least once a day, especially after working out. You should also ensure that you wash your entire body thoroughly.
• Use acne-specific body products: Some body washes, soaps, and lotions are too harsh for the skin. They can irritate the skin and contribute to acne. To combat this, dermatologists recommend using products designed to help fight acne without stripping necessary oils from the skin. Look for products containing ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide that help prevent chest acne.
• Use spot treatments: If changing your body wash and shower routine isn’t working, you can also try a topical spot treatment. This is a product that you apply directly to a blemish to heal it.
• Try a different laundry detergent: Laundry detergents can contain ingredients and fragrances that contribute to or worsen existing acne. Switching to a fragrance-free option is a good step toward getting rid of chest acne for good.

Chest Acne prescription medication

If your chest acne is severe and doesn’t seem to be going away, it might be time to talk to your doctor about prescription oral medications — like isotretinoin or antibiotics.

They will probably recommend seeing a dermatologist — a skin specialist — who can perform a thorough skin consultation to help understand the cause of your breakouts.

Your dermatologist will be able to create a treatment plan and prescribe medication based on the severity and reason for your breakout.

When Should You See a Doctor About Chest Acne?

If you’ve tried OTC treatments and haven’t seen results in six weeks, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist.

They will help you determine the cause of your chest acne and help you find the right products to treat it.

Where Can I Learn More About Chest Acne?

If you’re experiencing symptoms of chest acne, you can speak to a board-certified doctor online or nurse practitioner from your computer or smartphone. Head over to LifeMD to make a video appointment.