You may be as jacked as Mark McGwire, but if you have the same bacne we’re assuming Big Mac had while he was on the juice, you won’t be, ahem, hitting any home runs with the ladies.
If you don’t know what causes acne — it’s the overproduction of sebum (oil), a blockage of skin pores, or a buildup of bacteria — it’s no big deal. The problem is that most men have no idea how to get rid of acne. There are some myths about how to do it, like cutting back on sweets or using products that dry out your skin. But that’s not what you should do to get rid of back acne or “bacne”. So next time your back or skin breaks out, try these tips instead.
1. WASH YOUR BACK DAILY
We’re not talking about letting the water hit your back in the shower. Pick up a bottle of antibacterial body wash or soap and lather it into your skin with your hands (or, even better, an exfoliating back brush). It’ll help keep your back clear by removing dead skin and bacteria.
2. USE PRODUCTS WITH SALICYLIC ACID
Grab some of those medicated pads you used in high school, like Stridex ($5 @ Amazon.com) or Oxy ($14 for a 3 pack @ Amazon.com). Both are OTC products that contain salicylic acid, which penetrates the clogged follicle and removes any unwanted debris. (Unless you’re a T-Rex, you should be able to reach just about your whole back.)
3. MOISTURIZE
Since possible side effects of salicylic acid include dryness and flaking — not exactly a huge improvement over bacne — you’ll want to keep your skin hydrated with a medicated, oil-free moisturizing lotion that’s labeled “noncomedogenic.” That just means the ingredients probably won’t block your pores. Try Proactiv Solution Green Tea Moisturizer ($16.50 @ Amazon.com)
4. WEAR CLEAN COTTON SHIRTS
Dirty shirts may contain bacteria that can plug pores — so wash your clothes for crying out loud. If you exercise, ditch synthetic materials like Lycra and polyester, which trap perspiration and can exacerbate acne. Instead, switch to relatively loose-fitting cotton shirts that allow your skin to breathe. You can pick up Fruit of the Loom shirts from Amazon.com for as little as $3 and as expensive as $40.
#5. DON’T WEAR A BACKPACK
Wearing a backpack can make you sweat, especially underneath the straps. That can cause a traffic jam of dirt, bacteria, and overall nastiness inside your pores. Consider swapping for a messenger bag.
