Important:
The Body Regimen requires twice daily application, about 12 hours apart if possible. This regimen is the result of years of trial and error and works best when followed precisely. When followed closely it provides dramatic results.
My moderate to severe Body Regimen consists of three steps and uses only over-the-counter products. To get started, you'll need a gentle cleanser, plenty of 10% alpha hydroxy acid, and lots of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. In my experience, an alpha hydroxy product which contains licochalcone works best. When followed closely, this regimen works remarkably well to get body acne under control.
By high school, my acne had spread to my neck and back and was moderate to severe. At times it would also affect my chest and shoulders. I decided to find a way to clear it up, and after years of trial and error I developed a regimen for my neck and back that cleared me up. The same regimen also proved to work brilliantly anywhere on my body.
Gentle cleanser: A gentle cleanser helps remove surface oils which allows topical products to penetrate. Washing very gently is imperative as it helps keep irritation to a minimum. In body acne, just like in facial acne, avoiding irritation is very important.
Lots of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide: Benzoyl peroxide kills acne bacteria. It is also a drying and peeling agent which keeps pores from clogging. What I discovered is that to get benzoyl peroxide to work to its fullest potential you need to use a lot of it. I recommend 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. Studies show that 2.5% is as effective as 5% or 10% without the irritation.
Plenty of 10% alpha hydroxy acid: Alpha hydroxy acid exfoliates the skin and works incredibly well with benzoyl peroxide to clear body acne. I particularly like alpha hydroxy acid with licochalcone (a licorice root extract which soothes and calms acne-prone skin), although this is not required.
Important:
The Body Regimen requires twice daily application, about 12 hours apart if possible. This regimen is the result of years of trial and error and works best when followed precisely. When followed closely it provides dramatic results.
Important:
Let your hands gently glide over the body. Maintaining a gentle touch helps avoid irritation. Also, do not use soap on the Body Regimen; soap can overdry and irritate. Instead, use a gentle cleanser which is made for the face to wash the body. Lastly, use only bare hands. Do not use a washcloth.
Benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric. Even after it has dried, even a slight sweat can reactivate it. I recommend wearing white while on this regimen. I've personally found that red clothing tends to resist benzoyl peroxide better than other colors. Jeans also hold up well. Alternately, you can try the light to moderate Body Regimen which uses only alpha hydroxy acid and see if that works well enough.
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. I prefer zinc oxide based sunscreens. My favorite brand is Olay Complete for Sensitive Skin which contains SPF15.
Backpacks: 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 back 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 back acne 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.
Fabric softener: I am sensitive to fabric softener and my body will tend to develop red spots if I wear clothing exposed to fabric softener. An experienced doctor and several estheticians have also mentioned to me that this can occur. Fabric softener leaves a waxy residue on clothing. Try using 3/4 of a cup of vinegar in your final rinse cycle instead. It works great, is less expensive, and leaves no odor.
Allergy: If you think you might be allergic to benzoyl peroxide, apply a small amount of benzoyl peroxide for the first few days to a small spot on the upper back. Severe crusting or swelling indicates an allergic response. If you experience this, stop using benzoyl peroxide right away. Some redness or itchiness is normal and usually subsides after the first few weeks on benzoyl peroxide.
Now you know all about the moderate to severe 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-moderate-severe3.html to view recommended moderate to severe Body Regimen products.
Good luck everybody!
