Acne can occur anywhere on your body – your face, body, scalp, and even on your chest. Chest acne is a pretty common problem, which is caused when the hair follicles or pores get clogged with dead skin cells, dirt, oils, and which then gets infected by bacteria. The chestal area contains a large number of sebaceous glands, which makes it far more likely to get chest acne than other body parts. Chest acne can affect both men and women, with varying degrees of severity.
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Symptoms of chest acne
The most common, and sometimes painful, symptoms of chest acne include:
- Redness
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Skin infections
- Bleeding
- Scarring
Causes of chest acne
There are different reasons that could cause chest acne. Some of the most common causes include:
- Stress: If you’re busy a lot, you might not even realize that you’re experiencing a lot of stress. Stress exacerbates any skin condition, and chest acne is no different.
- Unhealthy diet: It’s more likely that you don’t realize that you’re not getting enough nutrition or even consuming healthy food, which is another major cause for many a skin condition to aggravate, including chest acne.
- Sleep deprivation: Sleep is necessary for your overall health, including your mental well-being. When you’re not getting proper sleep, your skin will be one of the most noticeable organs that will be affected by it. One of its side effects is dealing with skin conditions like chest acne.
- Excessive drinking and smoking: Alcohol and cigarettes when indulged in over a long time has longer term effects that are sometimes visible, like acne, and other internal ones as well.
Home remedies for chest acne
You could go to a dermatologist who would prescribe a lot of expensive creams and lotions, or even skin treatments to get rid of the chest acne. However, you could also go the natural way and try out these easy, simple, yet effective home remedies for chest acne that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Take a look:
1. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera is an effective remedy that helps get rid of chest acne. It contains powerful antioxidants that help dry out acne quickly, which in turn helps speed up the healing process. Additionally, aloe vera also soothes the redness, pain, and itching that are associated with acne, while also reducing the chances scarring.
Remedy
- Slice open an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the fresh gel into a clean bowl. Apply this directly on your chest acne, gently rubbing it into your skin. Leave it on to air dry for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water. Try this remedy at least thrice a day till the acne dries out and heals fully.
2. Apple cider vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar contains alpha hydroxyl acids that help in unblocking the pores on your skin, while helping get rid of the dead skin cells that have accumulated. Once these are removed, it helps dry out the acne quickly. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties help treat acne that much quickly. Apple cider vinegar also helps restore the natural pH balance of your skin, while helping minimize the risk of scarring.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 part raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with 2 parts of water. Dip a clean cotton ball in it, squeeze out the excess, and apply it over the affected areas. Let it stay for about half an hour, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy twice a day for best results.
- To 1 glass of warm water, add 1 teaspoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Drink this once a day to keep your skin acne- and pimple-free.
- Mix together 1 teaspoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with 2 teaspoons of cooled green tea, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 5 teaspoons of sugar. Apply this granular mixture on your acne, gently scrubbing it into your skin. Let it stay for 15 minutes, before washing it off with plain water. Repeat this remedy once a week for positive results.
3. Baking soda
Baking soda is basically sodium bicarbonate, which is an excellent exfoliating agent. It helps scrub off dead skin cells, excess oil, and other impurities from your skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and clean. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the inflammation, redness, and the pain caused by the chest acne.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of baking soda and enough water to make a smooth paste. Slather this on the affected skin, leave it on for about 10 minutes, then wash it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy once a day for best results.
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4. Cinnamon
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Cinnamon is another effective remedy that helps get rid of chest acne, thanks to its anti-microbial properties. It helps combat the bacteria that cause acne in the first place.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a bit of honey to make a smooth paste. Slather this on the acne, letting it stay for 15 minutes, before washing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy twice a day for best results.
- Mix together 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon with 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Smear a thin layer of this mixture on your chest, focusing on the acne. Leave it on for about an hour, before washing it off with cool water. Follow this remedy once a day for desired results.
5. Egg whites
Egg whites are full of albumen and other vital nutrients that help clear away acne, without leaving any scars.
Remedy
- Whisk 1 egg white till it resembles a fluffy white cloud. Apply this on the affected area, let it dry out fully, then apply another layer, and repeat the process till all the egg white gets over. Let it stay for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy thrice a week for desired results.
6. Lemon
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Lemon juice possesses anti-bacterial properties that help combat the bacteria that cause acne. Additionally, the acidic nature of the lemon juice acts as a natural astringent, which helps dry out the acne that much quicker.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together equal amounts of lemon juice and rose water. Dip a clean cotton ball in it, squeeze out the excess, and apply it on the affected skin. Let it stay for about 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water. Use this remedy at least twice a day for best results.
- Cut a lemon in half and rub it gently on the affected area. Let it air dry on its own for about half an hour or so, before washing it off with cool water. Repeat this remey twice every day till you see noticeable results.
Tip: People with sensitive skin are advised against using remedies which contain lemon juice.
7. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is another natural remedy that helps get rid of chest acne quite effectively. Oatmeal helps exfoliate your skin, while also cleansing the pores and absorbing any excess oil. Additionally, it also helps reduce pain and swelling that acne causes.
Remedy
- Cook 1 cup of oatmeal, let it cool down fully, and then add 1 tablespoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon to this. Mix well and apply this paste on the affected area, gently rubbing it into your skin. Let it stay for about half an hour, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Use this remedy once a day for best results.
8. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil possesses antiseptic properties that help heal chest acne quickly, while helping cleanse the clogged pores. Additionally, it helps prevent further breakouts, thanks to its anti-bacterial properties.
Remedy
- Put 2 drops of tea tree oil on a clean cotton ball and dab this on the affected skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Try this remedy thrice a day for desired results.
Tip: People with sensitive skin should first dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil, and then apply it on their skin.
9. Toothpaste
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Toothpaste, especially the white one, helps get rid of chest acne very effectively. It possesses anti-bacterial properties that help combat the bacteria and germs that cause acne.
Remedy
- Apply some white toothpaste on the affected skin directly. Let it stay on overnight, washing it off the following morning with cold water. Repeat this remedy once every day till the acne dries out.
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10. Turmeric
Turmeric contains anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that help get rid of any type of acne successfully. Additionally, it also helps bring down the redness, inflammation, and the pain caused by acne. It also helps fade away the scars that acne leaves on your skin.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon each of turmeric powder and honey, along with 2 teaspoons of milk to form a smooth paste. Apply this on the affected area, gently massaging it into your skin. Let it stay for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy at least thrice a week for best results.
- Mix together 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with enough rose water to make a smooth paste. Slather this on your chest where you have acne, letting it sit for 20 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Use this remedy twice a day for desired results.
These are all the amazingly effective home remedies for chest acne that actually work. For more updates on skin care, beauty secrets, and makeup tips, subscribe to our newsletter today.
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