Left: Sheetal Rawal, scientist (human genetics) & founder of Apsara Skin Care
By: Marty S.
Home remedies by Sheetal Rawal
Back acne, or “bacne” as the kids call it, is pretty self-explanatory; it’s acne on your back. Similar to acne on your face, bacne occurs when your pores are clogged with dirt, oil, and bacteria. Acne and bacne have the same triggers - for example, genetics, diet, stress, hormones, hygiene, et cetera - but with one major exception; bacne can sometimes be caused by your clothes. The fabric and the size of your clothes can cause irritation, which can cause bacne.
If you’ve ever suffered from bacne, it’s not as worrisome as acne on your face; just putting on a shirt can effectively hide this problem. However, if your bacne is severe, simple things like sleeping on your back or wearing clothes can feel uncomfortable. Although normally we are not self-conscious about our backs, having bacne changes everything.
Luckily, since acne and bacne are alike, we don’t have to use specialized products with harsh chemicals to address bacne. We can still use the same natural ingredients for bacne that we would normally use on our face. Here are my top ten natural remedies you can use to reduce your bacne, just in time for summer!
A lot of these remedies will require you to apply or massage these remedies onto your back. If you are struggling to do this, you can always get a friend to help you. ;)
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree essential oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling and redness from acne. Tea tree oil is also an antiseptic; it can also deeply penetrate your skin in order to unclog your pores of dirt, oil, and acne-causing bacteria.
Ingredients
4 drops of tea tree essential oil
2 tbsp. of oat flour
Rosewater, as needed
Instructions
Mix tea tree oil and oat flour together. Add enough rosewater to the mixture until you get a paste.
Apply the paste and leave on for 12 to 15 minutes.
Wash it off with warm water. Follow with your massage oil.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
Information
For this remedy and for all other remedies on this list, you should use a high-quality massage oil to nourish the skin and prevent dehydration.
“...This is the only product that has ever worked for my acne. I saw results within 3 to 4 days...”
2. Lavender Oil
Lavender essential oil is another essential oil for bacne. Like tea tree oil, lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Lavender oil is well-known for its soothing
nature; it can easily calm down skin conditions such as itchiness, redness, and irritation. Plus, using lavender oil on your skin can calm you and lower your stress levels; since there have been many studies that claim acne and stress are directly linked, it is believed that lavender oil can lower the chance of future bacne breakouts.
Ingredients
4 drops of lavender essential oil
2 tbsp. of rice flour
Witch hazel, as needed
Instructions
Mix lavender oil and rice flour together. Add enough witch hazel to the mixture until you get a paste.
Apply the paste and leave on for 12 to 15 minutes.
Wash it off with warm water. Follow with your massage oil.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
3. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt has so many great qualities that assist with bacne. First, since Epsom salt consists of coarse, tiny particles, it can be used as an exfoliator to help unclog pores of dead skin cells. Second, Epsom salt detoxifies the skin, removing skin impurities like bacteria from your body. Third, the magnesium in Epsom salt is believed to curb the frequency of acne breakouts; magnesium also has the added bonus of improving your bodily functions, for example, regulating hormones.
Ingredients
1 cup of Epsom salt
6 drops of tea tree essential oil
Instructions
Draw a warm bath. Add the ingredients to the bath.
Soak for 12 to 15 minutes.
After you finish drying, follow with your massage oil.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
4. Baking Soda
If Epsom salt is readily available, baking soda is a great alternative for bacne. Like Epsom salt, baking soda has antibacterial properties and is a natural exfoliant, which helps with unclogging pores and decreasing redness and swelling. Baking soda also balances the pH of your skin and absorbs excess oil; these effects reduce the likelihood of future bacne breakouts.
Ingredients
¼ tsp. of baking soda
5 drops of Vitamin E oil
2 tbsp. of aloe vera gel
Instructions
Mix ingredients together.
Apply and massage the area for 3 to 5 minutes.
Leave it on for 10 minutes.
Wash it off with warm water. Follow with your massage oil.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
