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 employs only over-the-counter products. It works best when followed precisely.
The Body Regimen requires a gentle cleanser and lots of 10% alpha hydroxy acid. For me, alpha hydroxy acid that contains licochalcone works best.
Note: When my body acne was moderate to severe, I required a regimen that used benzoyl peroxide as well as alpha hydroxy acid.
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! I found that I could treat the less severe acne on my body with just alpha hydroxy acid.
Gentle cleanser: To prep the body for treatment with alpha hydroxy acid 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.
I use 10% alpha hydroxy acid with licochalcone to combat body acne. The alpha hydroxy acid exfoliates and brings new skin cells to the surface, and the licochalcone calms and soothes my acne prone skin. This combo has provided dramatic and quick results for myself and many other people with light to moderate body acne.
Important:
This Body Regimen is performed twice daily, at 12 hour intervals if possible. Follow the regimen precisely for best results. Once your body acne is under complete control, you can try moving to once a day and see if you can stay clear. If not, go back to twice a day.
Important:
Irritation can make acne worse. To avoid irritation while washing, let your hands gently glide over your skin. Also, avoid using soap on the Body Regimen; soap can irritate and strip the skin. Instead, use a gentle facial wash to cleanse the body. And finally, use only bare hands to wash. Avoid using a washcloth.
Backpack straps: Reducing irritation is important in clearing acne. But let's face it, you have to sit in chairs and wear clothes, so something will be touching your body much of the day and there's no need to obsess about it. Backpacks in particular, however, can create more direct and ongoing irritation which may aggravate body acne on the back and where the straps contact the front and top of shoulders in some people. You may want to try carrying your stuff in something other than a backpack until you are clear on this regimen. At that point, you can start wearing your backpack and see if you stay clear, or if a backpack in your case is simply too much irritation.
Alpha hydroxy acid increases sun sensitivity and the chance of sunburn. Be sure to use a sunscreen while using alpha hydroxy acid and for a few weeks afterward.
Now you know all about the light to moderate Body Regimen, how it works, and how to apply it, so it's time to get your supplies. For years the Regimen consisted of only drugstore brand products, but they can be expensive. I lobbied the large brand names to make us larger size products, and got friendly responses but little in the way of action. So I decided to make larger, and more cost effective products for us myself. While I was at it, I made them higher quality and less drying so they would work specifically for the Regimen. You should see faster and better results with my products. However, not everybody can order online so I've made sure to also recommend some good alternatives. Go to www.acne.org/body-acne-regimen-light-moderate3.html to view recommended light to moderate Body Regimen products.
Good luck everybody!
