The Body Regimen Perform twice per day

Optimal efficacy achieved only when followed exactly as directed.
  • Effective
  • Detailed
  • Body acne treatment guide

(click here for the moderate to severe regimen)

This is the Body Regimen I have used personally with great success when battling light to moderate body acne. It is a two step process which uses over-the-counter products. It works best when followed precisely.

The Body Regimen requires a gentle cleanser and lots of 10% alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).

Note: When my body acne was moderate to severe, I required a regimen that used benzoyl peroxide as well as AHA.

I developed acne mostly on my back, but from time to time it would creep on to other areas of my body, including my chest and even my butt! Over years of trial and error I found that I could treat less severe acne on my body by gently cleansing and applying 10% AHA.

Gentle cleanser: To prep the body for treatment with AHA you'll be gently cleansing in order to remove surface oils. This can and should be done very gently and quickly to avoid irritation. Using a cleanser made for the face is your best bet.

10% alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) exfoliates and brings new skin cells to the surface. It provides dramatic and quick results for me and for many other people with light to moderate body acne.

Wash Gently (in the shower works best)

  • Vital: When washing, your fingers should gently glide over your skin.

    [Medical research shows reducing irritation is vital to clear acne.]

How
Why
dispense

A.

How

Dispense a generous amount of cleanser into your palm and get a good lather going. If using Acne.org Cleanser, use 2 full pumps.

Why

Using a generous amount of cleanser will allow you to generate a good lather. The more lather you generate, the more easily your hands will glide across your skin, thereby reducing irritation.

lather

B.

How

Very gently wash your body. Stay exceedingly gentle when washing and wash only for a very short period of time. For instance, wash your chest for only 5 seconds. Rinse.

Why

Cleansing is necessary because it removes surface oils which allows the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to penetrate, but you can easily achieve this goal with bare hands and only a few seconds of washing. Washing for this short a period of time reduces irritation and is one of the most important steps in The Body Regimen.

Note: Washcloths are far too irritating and should be completely avoided.

dry

C.

How

Upon exiting the shower, gently dry your body. Do not rub. Just let the towel sit on your skin and absorb the wetness. You may not get completely dry with the towel this way, but that's preferable to irritating rubbing.

Why

Anything which rubs, scratches, or scrubs the skin can cause irritation. Stay very gentle with your towel.

wait

D.

How

Allow 10-15 minutes for your skin to completely dry.

Why

Letting your skin dry completely allows the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to absorb. Do not apply the AHA until your skin is completely dry.

Apply 10% alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)

How
Why
wash hands

A.

How

Wash and dry hands.

Why

This helps remove any oils that may have accumulated on your hands. Exposure to oils can aggravate acne.

wash hands

B.

How

Dispense a generous amount of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). When in doubt, dispense more.

Why

The body is a large area and requires a lot of AHA to properly treat. Don't skimp!

avoid eyes

C.

How

Apply very gently, allowing your hand to gently glide over the body until the AHA is more or less absorbed.

Why

Staying super gentle reduces irritation.

Tips

fabric softner Fabric softener: Fabric softener can leave a waxy residue on clothing and while there exists no research on the topic, this theoretically may aggravate acne. Anti-static balls may be an alternative. You can google "anti-static balls" to find them.

sun Alpha hydroxy acid increases the skin's sensitivity to the sun and increases the chance of sunburn. If you're going to be in the sun, use a sunscreen while using alpha hydroxy acid and for a few weeks afterward.

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