Put Butt Acne Behind You

When the sun comes out, you know it’s inevitable that you’ll soon find yourself digging out the swimwear and pair of short shorts that made you feel amazing last year. You want to get the absolute best results from the hair removal and tanning that you’ve got planned, so you know that you’ll need to keep on top of your cleansing and moisturising routine. That acne is not going to scupper your chances of looking your best this summer! You’ve got your face, chest and back covered but this year, there seems to be another area that the zits have claimed as their camp - your butt!

What is butt acne?

Believe it or not, many experts say that butt acne is slightly different to the acne that you see on your face, chest and back. Acne is caused when hair follicles become blocked by an overproduction of sebum (oil) in the skin. The face, chest and back are home to a lot of sebaceous glands, which is why acne most commonly appears in these areas. Acne can be triggered by hormonal changes or some medications. However, it is thought that a different culprit might be behind the zits on your butt.

So what exactly are these spots on my butt?

Any kind of pimple or spot is the result of too much oil on the skin. As our butt spends a lot of time being sat on, it’s easy to see how the pores there can get clogged. But if you regularly wear tight-fitting clothes, like gym or athleisure wear, this could be amplifying the irritation of your skin rubbing against bacteria in sweat and sebum. If this is the cause of zits on your butt, this may not actually be acne. 

There are a few options that could better describe the pimples and redness on your butt. These range from:

• Folliculitis - when hair follicles are infected or inflamed, resulting in a group of same size whiteheads. It looks like acne but dermatologists can tell the difference.
• Keratosis pilaris - when there is an overload of keratin in the hair follicles, leaving skin-coloured bumps. Our Exfoliating bar can help with the appearance of it!
• Hidradenitis suppurativa - when sweat glands are infected, creating large bumps or boils. You’ll probably need to see a dermatologist or doctor for this, as it can become very painful!
• Acne. Yes, it is possible that the zits on your butt are actually acne!

See a doctor or dermatologist to determine the nature of your butt pimples.

How can I get rid of it?

It’s important to identify what your butt ‘acne’ actually is because if it’s not actually acne, acne treatment probably won’t work. Be aware that severe acne and Hidradenitis Suppurativa should be treated by a dermatologist. If it turns out to be keratosis pilaris, folliculitis or regular clogged pores, you should be free to treat your butt zits at home. We advise that you:

• Refrain from popping the zits - we know it’s tempting but this can cause further inflammation and infection in your skin.
• Cleanse with our Clarifying bar - the salicylic acid in this body bar is great for unclogging pores, revealing clear healthy skin.
• Exfoliate with our Exfoliating bar - the ground stone olive clears the pores and lactic acid clears dead skin cells, leaving skin ready for anything.
• Moisturise with anti-inflammatory ingredients - look for a moisturiser containing aloe vera, niacinamide or allantoin and use it to calm down inflammation every night before bed. 

You should also:

• Wear loose clothing and breathable fabrics. If you have to wear gym clothes, opt for cotton items rather than nylon or polyester, which trap sweat against your skin.
• Shower after exercise. If you’re planning on driving straight back home or to work after your workout or grabbing lunch or a coffee, make sure you have a quick wash first. Sitting down for a long period of time in sweaty clothes is the perfect breeding ground for butt acne.
• Take a look at your laundry products. Detergents and fabric softeners containing fragrance, dyes or essential oils can aggravate folliculitis and keratosis pilaris. Try fragrance-free, hypoallergenic laundry products and see if you notice a difference.

  

Butt out butt acne with Beauty Kin!

We know how inconvenient and annoying butt acne can be, especially in months when we’re likely to be wearing less clothing and there’s a chance that our butt may be more on display than usual. But you really don’t have to put up with it! Getting to the bottom (wink wink) of the problem so you can get the correct treatment is the most surefire way of kicking acne’s butt this summer.