Acne is one of the skin conditions that most people have to deal with at some point in their lives, and after the pandemic, the number of people suffering from acne has increased noticeably, not only on the face but also on the body. The term “Maskne”, refers to acne, particularly in areas such as the chin, cheeks, and nose due to the humid and occluded environment created by covering masks, showing a significant rise in cases during and after the covid-19. Additionally, it has been studied that due to lifestyle changes, stress, sleep deprivation, and prolonged isolation, the number of individuals suffering from body acne has increased after the pandemic, affecting people’s self-esteem, and potentially leading to permanent skin damage such as scarring or hyperpigmented skin.
What is body acne?
Acne is a skin condition where the pores of your skin clog, producing blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples on the skin. Usually, acne develops on the face, however, recently there has been an increase in acne on the back, chest, and scalp.
Our skin is covered by sebaceous glands, responsible for producing sebum to naturally lubricate our skin, protecting it from moisture loss and infections. Nevertheless, the high consumption of processed foods, increase in stress, and other lifestyle factors can trigger the release of cortisol, a hormone that increases oil production on the skin, leading to acne breakouts.
What causes body acne?
Body acne is caused by a combination of factors that lead to clogged pores and inflammation, some of the primary causes can be:
- Excess sebum production: it can be driven by small hormonal changes, mainly produced by excess consumption of processed foods, high levels of stress, etc., leading to an increase in the oil produced by our sebaceous glands clogging pores and producing acne.
- Clogged hair follicles: when dead skin cells don’t shed properly can accumulate on the hair follicles, trapping oil and bacteria inside, promoting an environment to develop acne.
- Sweating and friction: excessive sweating, especially during exercise or hot environments, can cause the pores to become clogged with sweat, oil, or bacteria.
- Hormonal imbalances: fluctuations in hormones due to menstrual cycles, puberty, or other physical conditions can also be the main cause of acne. If that is your condition, is better to consult with a specialist on how to treat your acne conditions.
- Diet: consumption of high levels of sugar or processed foods can increase insulin levels, and boost higher oil production on the skin.
- Stress: going through stressful situations in your personal life or workplace can lead to a higher production of cortisol, a hormone that can elevate oil production, leading to breakouts.
How to treat body acne?
There are several actions that you can take to prevent and treat your body acne, here we have prepared an easy guide for you:
- Shower after sweating: after exercising or sweating, shower properly to remove the sweat, oils, and bacteria that can clog your pores. When showering, use a gentle formula body wash in order to prevent irritation, we recommend our Village 11 Factory Aromatherapy Body Washes.
Infused with essential oils to provide a recharging moisture effect and a pleasant experience, our gentle formulas will effectively clean your skin while offering a home spa experience.
2. Exfoliate regularly: use products that gently remove dead skin cells to prevent pore clogging, look for ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid with gentle formulas that avoid irritation on the skin. To keep your skin soft and smooth, and gently exfoliate the skin, we recommend using our Village 11 Factory Relax Day AHA Exfoliating Body Lotion.
Containing 12% Glycolic Acid to effectively remove dead skin cells, our body lotion is infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Centella Asiatica extract to keep your skin moisturized and soothed, preventing irritation, redness, or dryness.
3. Wear breathable clothes: avoid clothing that traps oil against the skin and may generate clogged pores. Instead, choose loose and breathable fabrics like cotton on linen.
4. Avoid heavy skincare products: use lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers to keep the skin breathing, since heavy oils or even artificial fragrances can aggravate the clogging of pores. Prefer formulations with natural ingredients to be as gentle as possible with your acne skin.
We hope that we helped you to understand more about body acne and how to take care of your skin to prevent and treat this condition.
Village 11 Factory® will always help you to take care of your skin with natural ingredients while guiding you to use the right products for your skin needs.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at info@pfdbrand.com
References:
[1] Sigariolo C., Giacalone S., Nazzaro G., Mask: The epidemic within Pandemic: From Diagnosis to Therpy
[2] Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/6815148/acne-coronavirus-breakouts/
[3] Grimaldi M., Micali G., et. al., The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Acne Patients and their management: An observation multicenter study from Italy
