Back acne is never fun, but wearing tank tops and bikinis in the summer can make you feel even more self-conscious. While medicated creams and cleansers are commonly used to treat, there are a variety of natural remedies for back acne that can also assist.
Back acne, commonly known as “bacne,” originates when the hair follicles beneath the skin become clogged, as they do with all forms of acne. Overproduction of oil (sebum), bacterial accumulation, and irritation of oil-producing sebaceous glands can all contribute to pimple formation.
Furthermore, because the pores on the back are much larger than those on the face, they can become clogged more easily, setting the stage for an extreme breakout. If you’re dealing with back imperfections, know that you’re not alone. According to studies, around half of acne sufferers have truncal acne, which causes pimples to appear on the back, chest, shoulders, and torso.
Contents
Natural Remedies for Back Acne
Tea Tree Oil
According to an Indian study, tea tree oil (an essential oil that has long been used in aromatherapy) may help eliminate the germs that cause acne on the skin. People with acne who applied a 5% tea tree oil gel to their pimples experienced a 3.55-fold reduction in the number of pimples and a 5.75-fold reduction in pimple severity, according to the study.
Tea tree oil is a prominent ingredient in certain commercial body cleansers, and it may assist with back acne.
Natural Exfoliators
Exfoliating, which involves removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin with the help of a chemical, granular substance, or exfoliation instrument, helps prevent pores from clogging. You can slough off dead skin cells that can mix with sebum and cause pore obstruction with the use of a dry brush.
While you may purchase a commercial body scrub, you can make your own natural version by combining equal parts brown sugar and raw honey.
It’s crucial to remember that exfoliating is a preventative measure. Scrubbing the skin during an active outbreak is not recommended since it can cause inflammation and scars.
Honey and cinnamon mask
Honey and cinnamon contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which are two elements that cause acne.
Honey and cinnamon bark extract were discovered to have antibacterial properties against P. acnes in a 2017 study.
Honey has been shown in other studies to be able to stop the growth of P. acnes or even kill it.
This conclusion, however, does not necessarily imply that honey is a good acne treatment.
In a study of 136 acne sufferers, it was discovered that adding honey to the skin after using antibacterial soap was no more helpful than using the soap alone in curing acne (18Trusted Source).
While honey and cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities may help with acne, additional research is needed.
Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Because inflammation and acne are linked, eating anti-inflammatory foods like berries, certain types of nuts, whole grains, and legumes will help prevent future back acne outbreaks.
Studies have showed that increasing omega-3 fatty acids (found in fatty fish and chia seeds) while decreasing omega-6 fatty acids (found in canola and soybean oils) will help reduce inflammation, testosterone levels, and acne symptoms.
Zinc-Rich Foods
According to certain studies, the important mineral zinc can help reduce acne-related irritation and sebum production. The pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) is known to be inhibited by zinc.
Zinc can be found in wheat germ, oysters, pumpkin seeds, and spinach, among other foods.
White Willow Bark
Salicylic acid is a popular element in acne cleansers and treatments available over-the-counter. Applying it to the skin for moderate acne helps to clear pores by addressing abnormal skin cell shedding.
Although most treatments contain synthetic salicylic acid, the molecule can also be found in white willow bark. While there is no proof that white willow bark is as efficient as commercial salicylic acid preparations, a 2010 study found that 30 women treated for 12 weeks with a white willow bark-based serum had improved skin condition.
People who want to avoid specific components in over-the-counter acne medications may wish to consider white willow bark.
Stress Management
There’s evidence that stress might aggravate acne. Researchers found that during exam periods, college students had more severe acne, according to a small study published in the Archives of Dermatology.
Although stress was thought to be a cause, other factors such as lack of sleep, poor sleep quality, poor diet, and erratic eating habits all had a role.
