Broken Breakout Back

Managing pimples and zits can be a huge pain in anyone's backside. And, to make matters even more confusing, even if think we know all the ins-and-outs of the skin we’re in, sometimes those obnoxious breakouts might actually be a totally different skin condition. Yep, sometimes 'acne' just isn't acne.

What I don't love, however, is the back and chest acne that can come with all of that. Every summer, after six months of being zit-free, I break out.

Pimples can be caused by a variety of factors, but breakouts are usually influenced from external and internal factors such as environment, diet, and hormone levels. And while it’s true that these same factors play a big part in our overall skin health, other lesser known factors like allergies, medication side effects, and even vitamin deficiencies can cause conditions that look like acne, but aren’t exactly.

“Acne not really being acne happens quite often,” Celeste Hilling, skincare expert and CEO of Skin Authority, tells me over email. Especially, she says, when you're talking about adult-onset acne.

To take out of the confusion of what’s actually acne and what’s not, I talked to some skincare experts about pimples that aren't really pimples. Here are five major skin issues you could be confusing for acne. If you suspect you may have any of the conditions below, make an appointment with your dermatologist to find the best treatment plan for you.

1. Rosacea

Commonly mistaken for acne, rosacea is a skin condition that causes pus-filled bumps in the central part of the face. But unlike acne, which generally features whiteheads and blackheads on your face and back, rosacea is often associated with facial redness and painful bloodshot eyes.

“Acne rosacea may be confused with acne vulgaris,” explains board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf contributor Dr. Heidi Waldorf via email. “Rosacea consists of central facial redness, dilated blood vessels, and flushing.'

As with many town management titles, there are a number of buildings to unlock and construct after earning the proper level and enough cash. Car town streets car list for sale. The town is deserted, the streets are empty, and most of the screen is inhabited by this drab and depressing shade of brown/gray. Thankfully, with a little luck and plenty of TLC, things are bound to pick up again, and that’s where all that game stuff kicks in.

And while both acne and rosacea have a genetic link, acne is usually caused by hormonal stimulation and bacteria. On the other hand, rosacea is usually triggered by extreme temperatures, diet changes, and stress.

“Rosacea is often hereditary and there are definite trigger factors which may include spicy foods, extreme temperatures, and stress,” adds Dr. Waldorf. “There is no cure, but you can keep it under control.”

2. Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions can come in many shapes and forms, so it’s really no surprise that some skin irritations can mimic acne breakouts. However, the key difference between acne and allergic skin reactions is usually intense itching, which comes with red, scaly patches. And yes it's true that acne can be painful, but usually it doesn’t itch.

“An allergic reaction consists of red, scaly itchy patches,” explains Debra Jaliman, board-certified NYC dermatologist and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets From a Top New York Dermatologist via email. “An allergic reaction tends to itch, while acne doesn't. Acne can actually be painful, especially if you have large cysts.” If you're constantly having allergic reactions, start keeping a food and product diary to try to narrow down what could be causing your skin to freak.

3. Acneiform Eruptions

Hair products in particular, can cause acneiform eruptions (often looking like fine red bumps) which appear on the forehead area. These annoying reactions are sort of a cross between acne and an allergic reactions, but should be treated more like the latter.

“Hair products with oils cause forehead acneiform eruptions,” says Dr. Neal Schultz, NYC dermatologist, host of DermTV.com and creator of BeautyRx by Dr. Schultz through email. “Oil containing products always aren’t appropriate for some skin types.' If bumps are showing on your scalp, try switching shampoo, conditioner, and other hair products you're using.

4. Chloracne

While rashes and redness can be annoying, it's most important to keep an eye out for 'acne' that's actually a chronic skin disease. Chloracne for example, can cause pustules, blackheads and cysts, which definitely resembles your typical sort of acne.

“Chloracne is caused by exposure to dioxin (environmental pollutants), and usually looks like acne,” says Dr. Debra Jaliman. “It usually occurs on the face, arms and groin, and occur from direct skin contact or by inhalation.”

5. Basal Cell Carcinoma

Scarily, basal cell carcinoma often resembles simple pimples. This skin cancer is the biggest reason to keep a close eye on any chronic acne.

“Basal cell carcinoma can be mistaken for a pimple,” says Dr. Heidi Waldorf. “This common skin cancer is prevalent on the face, and appears as a shiny or pearly red bump that can bleed and scab. However, the big difference between the two is that acne cysts usually don’t last for several months.” If you have a big pimple that's been around for months, it's best to see a dermatologist ASAP for testing.

Understanding breakouts can be a difficult task, so if you have any skin abnormalities that are leaving you extremely confused, your best course of action is always to seek the help of a dermatologist. Doing so can help you properly pinpoint all your symptoms, and receive the best diagnosis and treatment plan possible.

'If the condition is not getting better, is noticeably getting worse, or just keeps coming back, see your dermatologist,' says Dr. Heidi Waldorf. 'Be sure to bring in a list of what products you have been using, and for how long the symptoms have occurred.' Most of the time, it's probably acne — but it never hurts to double check.

Images: Alia Wilhem, Manu Camargo, Daria Nepriakhina, Neill Kumar, Francisco Moreno, Drew Hays/Unsplash

If dealing with facial acne isn’t enough, your body can also be prone to breakouts. Odds are, if you experience acne on your face, pimples have also popped up on your neck, chest and back. In fact, Everyday Health reports that up to 60% of people who report having facial acne experience body acne as well. Here’s a breakdown of what causes body blemishes, and our tips for keeping them at bay.

What Is Body Acne?

Body acne refers to any type of acne that appears on the back and upper half of the body, including the chest and shoulders. These breakouts are classified similarly to acne on your face, and are often accompanied by oily skin and scarring. While acne can appear anywhere on your body (aside from oil-free zones on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet), it tends to concentrate on the back, chest and shoulders where there is a higher density of hair follicles and oil- and sweat-producing glands. To make matters worse, the pores and hair follicles on your body are much larger than those found on your face, and the skin on your back is extremely thick. These factors heighten the potential for dirt and oil to become trapped, block pores and cause breakouts.

What Causes Back, Chest & Shoulder Acne?

Eminence OrganicsLead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar tells us that the primary causes of body and facial acne are alike: “Body acne is caused by the same factors as facial acne - bacteria, overactive oil glands and excess dead skin cells.” As with facial acne, oil and dead skin cells block a pore, mix with acne-causing bacteria and trigger an immune response that presents as one of the five types of acne. There are a few additional factors that contribute to breakouts on your back, chest and shoulders. These include:

1. Shampoo & Conditioner

Believe it or not, keeping clean can actually contribute to body acne. As you rinse shampoo and conditioner from your scalp, the oils from your hair products can run down your back and clog pores. And, the location of body breakouts doesn’t help; unless you’re an expert contortionist, it’s likely that you’re missing patches of product during your daily scrub. A few tips to keep in mind:

• Rinse shampoo and conditioner off to the side
• Wash your body after shampooing to make sure you catch any lingering residue
• Use a (clean) body brush to access hard-to-reach spots

2. Sweaty & Tight Fitting Workout Wear

One of the most common contributors to body acne is sweaty, tight-fighting clothing. Clingy fabrics trap sweat and bacteria on the skin, which can lead to clogged pores and body breakouts. Natalie adds: “When acne affects the body, it’s also good to note that the rubbing of clothing and sports equipment can add to irritation due to the extra heat and sweat.” The best way to tackle this trigger: Opt for loose-fitting workout wear and be sure to remove it immediately after you hit the gym.

3. Dirty Shower Accessories

Dirty shower accessories can quickly undo the good done by your daily cleanse. Wet loofahs, damp towels and moist bath brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria that can compromise clear skin. In addition to frequently washing your favorite towel, Refinery29 recommends replacing your loofah every three weeks and using a body brush with natural fibers to limit the available hiding places for fungus and bacteria.

How To Treat It: Products For Body Acne

Body breakouts may be caused by the same triggers as facial acne, but they can be more challenging to treat. Because hair follicles and pores are spaced further apart, the skin tends to be tougher in these areas, it can be difficult for topical products to penetrate the skin and work as quickly as they do for facial acne. On the other hand, the skin on your back is more resilient, and can better handle potent treatments that may be irritating to your face. Here are a few ways you can adjust your body care routine to battle breakouts on your back, shoulders and chest:

1. Avoid Creamy Shower Gels

The skin on your back has more sweat and oil gland activity than elsewhere on the body, but it also happens to be the area that is least thoroughly cleansed. Due to the difficulty in reaching inaccessible spots like the skin between your shoulder blades, oil, dead skin, sweat and dirt easily build up and clog pores. For starters, Natalie advises avoiding ultra-creamy shower gels and choosing treatments that contain acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid (a BHA that unblocks pores), glycolic acid (an AHA that dissolves dead skin cells to prevent spots) and/or lactic acid (a gentle AHA that helps smooth skin and prevent pimples). GQrecommends using a long-handled cleansing sponge or body brush to help reach every nook and cranny.

Product Picks: Acne Advanced Cleansing Foam, Red Currant Exfoliating Cleanser

2. Moisturize - Lightly

While it may be counterintuitive to add moisture to already oily and acne-prone skin, it’s a skin care step you can’t skip. In fact, less moisture can cause skin to produce more pore-clogging sebum in an effort to stay lubricated. Keeping your skin’s moisture barrier intact is essential to lock in hydration as well as protect your pores from bacteria and other acne-causing irritants. Yet, not all moisturizers are made equal. Steer clear of rich creams designed for dry skin and, instead, choose a lightweight lotion that will keep your skin hydrated and its oil balance in check.

Product Picks: Acne Advanced Clarifying Hydrator, Stone Crop Body Lotion

3. Spot Treat Blemishes

The same spot treatments you apply to your face can be used for your back, chest and shoulders. Experts agree that products that contain acne-fighting salicylic acid are your best bet against body blemishes; this superstar ingredient not only clears clogged pores but also helps prevent breakouts from recurring. With regular use, it has the power to keep skin clear and breakout-free for longer. Plus: Unlike benzoyl peroxide, it is extremely gentle and will not bleach fabric. When choosing the right spot treatment, we recommend reaching for products with a creamy consistency that can be easily spread across your back, chest and shoulders.

Product Picks: Acne Advanced Clarifying Masque, Hungarian Herbal Mud Treatment

4. Fade Dark Marks

Because the skin on your back is more resilient and has a slower cell turnover than the skin on your face, it can take longer to heal. This increases the chance that your body acne will leave scars and lengthens the amount of time it will take for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation to fade. Whatever you do, don’t pick, squeeze or scratch your spots - and if you do, apply a brightening serum immediately.

Fight night champion 2. Thanks everyone for sticking with us for so long, and stay posted for news about future seasons and tournaments! Last week: becomes our 4th two-time PS3 champion with a decisive victory over! Season 2's final matches will be played during Week 35, with the final results and awards being posted for Week 36. And continues his fledgling title reign with yet another late round KO!

Product Picks: Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum, Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum

5. Schedule A Back Facial

Acne facials aren’t just for your face. In fact, many spas and salons now offer back facials to specifically target the hard-to-reach spots you can’t tackle at home. Not only do these professional treatments clean your skin at a deeper level, they also include professional-strength exfoliation and extractions to encourage skin cell turnover and clear clogged pores. Visit our Spa Locator to book a back facial at an Eminence Organics partner spa near you.

Do you struggle with body acne? Share your stories with us in the comments below, and join the conversation onFacebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube.