Butt acne can be a major pain in the butt – pun intended. And if you’re currently battling through an irritating bout of butt acne or if you’re feeling a bit self-conscious about a few unsightly butt acne scars, you’ll definitely want to check out my video below where I’ll share how to get rid of butt acne and body acne. Plus, we’ll discuss the following:
- What Butt Acne Actually Is
- The Most Common Cause of Butt Acne (and How to Prevent Butt Acne In General)
- A Simple 3 Step Butt Acne Treatment to keep your precious “peach” looking healthy and feeling super soft and smooth.
Enjoy the video ladies, and feel free to also check out the video summary below!
Stay Beautiful!
XOXO,
Dr. Phoenyx
Dr. Phoenyx’s Shop – Nutrition for a Fit & Beautiful YOU!
Video Summary
- What Is Butt Acne?
Simply put, butt acne is a type of folliculitis, aka a mild infection and inflammation of the hair follicle which then leads to those annoying red bumps and pus pimples on our rump which we then refer to as “butt acne.”
- The Most Common Cause of Butt Acne
Most often butt acne (and butt pimples) are caused by the accumulation of sweat, oil, dirt, and dead skin cells in the hair follicle, which then creates a “perfect storm” where bacteria can start to overgrow, spread and cause infection.
- How to Treat Butt Acne in 3 Simple Steps
Step 1 – Cleanse
When it comes to butt acne, the purpose of cleansing will be to kill the bacteria or germ(s) that caused the infection. So when selecting a cleanser you want to choose those that contain antibacterial and antimicrobial agents that help disinfect the skin by killing bacteria, fungus and other germs. Three excellent over the counter options are cleansers that contain Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide and/or Tea Tree Oil. In fact, many over the counter anti-acne face washes contain Salicylic Acid and/or Benzoyl Peroxide – and in case your wondering, yes you can most certainly use these cleansers on your bum as well!
A few important tips when cleansing:
- ALWAYS shower after exercising – especially if you workout in public gyms. Keep in mind that sitting in your sweaty, wet workout clothes can increase your risk of developing butt acne. So always wash up after your workout, and also make sure you always wipe down gym equipment before and after you use it. Do this to protect yourself and others.
- When applying cleanser to your bum, make sure you let it sit on the skin long enough to work its magic. How long is long enough? One simple trick is to sing the entire alphabet when applying the cleanser. After you’re done singing, then rinse off.
- Be gentle when cleansing your skin because harsh scrubbing can lead to micro-abrasions or small cuts in the skin, which can then lead to worsening inflammation and spread the infection.
Step 2 – Exfoliate
- While you’re still in the shower (and after cleansing your skin), make sure to exfoliate. Exfoliation is very important because it helps remove excess oils and dead skin cells so they don’t get trapped in your pores and follicles. Remember: Excess oil and dead skin is what caused your butt acne in the first place, so make sure you exfoliate. As far as what to use to exfoliate, look for products that contain beta-hydroxy acids (BHA’s) or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA’s) like glycolic acid and lactic acid because not only will these types of skincare products help clear excess oil and slough off dead skin cells, they can also help brighten dark spots from butt acne and prevent scarring.
Step 3 – Moisturize
The final step in treating butt acne is to moisture, and we do this after we exit the shower and towel off. As far as what type of product to use, I recommend and am a BIG fan of body butters and skin moisturizers that contain ingredients like Shea Butter and Coconut Oil, as well as plants like Aloe because these types of natural ingredients offer 3 wonderful benefits:
Benefit 1: They reduce inflammation
Many plants, butters and oils contain anti-inflammatory compounds that help reduce skin inflammation and stimulate healing. For example, aloe is very effective at soothing skin inflammation from acne, as well as skin inflammation from cuts and burns. Plus, shea butter also contains a compound called cinnamic acid, which has been shown to reduce skin inflammation.
Benefit 2: They are excellent “penetrating” moisturizers
Skin moisturizers infused with ingredients like aloe, shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil, are an excellent choice because they are very effective at penetrating the skin and are also rich in vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, which are all incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin.
Benefit 2: They help boost collagen production
Natural skin moisturizers like Aloe and Shea Butter also contain essential skin and beauty nutrients (like Vitamins A and E) which help boost collagen production, smooth and soften the skin, strengthen the skin, and also protect the skin from damage, premature aging, and premature wrinkles.