TABOO TOPICS
Moni Moni emailed me asking to touch on some of the “taboo” running subjects (that are more embarrassing than off limits) so I’ll try to mention whatever I think of every few posts.
The first thing: bacne, the dreaded body and back acne.
When you’re sweating (from exertion or heat) and wearing tight fitting clothes like a sports bra, it’s a perfect breeding ground for acne including the coveted bacne.
I get it and it is awesome. Oh wait, I thought we were talking about buttne, that’s way better.
To avoid pimpleback, change out of your sweaty clothes and shower as soon as possible. If you can’t shower, use a cleansing wipe like a ShowerPill athletic wipe or a makeup remover cloth.
Possibly try wearing looser fitting clothes as well (obviously a loose sports bra wouldn’t work.)
When showering, use an anti-bacterial acne body wash or soap. I like the St. Ives apricot scrub. Ok, I admit, I actually buy the Western Family off brand.
I also like to use Stridex acne pads after I towel off; they’re really easy to use everywhere on your body and I think they help keep my back a little less Mount Vesuvius.
I bought them at Walmart for about $4 and use them daily.
Lastly, your dermatologist can prescribe an oral medication like tetracycline that can really help improve acne or bacne.
So that’s that on that subject. I think it’s all pretty self-explanatory, obvious stuff, but when your back/chest looks like a pepperoni pizza just from running alone, you want any advice you can get. I know.
Any acne products or tips you use/have?
Twitter
Facebook
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
When I was in a wedding years ago, the hairdresser saw my back and gave me this tip. Buy some Seabreeze astringent (I use the Wal-mart off brand for sensitive skin) and put it in a spray bottle, then spritz your back post-shower and/or before bed. It’s made a huge difference for me. Also, exfoliate in the shower using a loofah and soap, not body wash.
I’ve thankful that I can say I have never really had a problem with body acne. However, my face isn’t always as fortunate. I look forward to the day when we’re in heaven and can no longer get zits.
I’ve never had bacne–but I could see how that would be an issue! I always shower right away after workouts and running though.
YAY for delicious dinners with family. Looks awesome. P.s. I buy the OFF brands too!!
Ah…yeah. I try to wear my chest-acne like a badge of honor, but I also really hate it. I can either be unfit with clear skin or fit with pimples.
I try to live by your tip of getting outta sweaty clothes ASAP. Will have to look for those acne pads; they’d be good for travelling, too. Thanks for the suggestion.
I totally would have taken a pie all to myself.
I don’t really use any acne products, but now I’m sure I’ve jinxed myself and will have a giant outbreak.
I always get 1 zit right between the girls because of my awesome uniboob sports bra. I just dip a qtip in water and then in tea tree oil and it’s gone in a day. TJ’s has s cheap bottle of tea tree, looks tiny but lasts forever.
Man all of these family parties are making me hungry. The baked mac and cheese looks delicious and pickles in salad is an absolute must!
The crewman Gabe is pretty cute! You need to hook me up so that I can dress like a fisherman and some of those sweet boots.
Hahahaha! Reminds me of the time I had to stop at a stranger’s home…no joke, to use the pot. They were out doing yard work and it was that, or run contaminated for another hour. Not one of my finest moments.
Pies look delish, and I’ve come to love my backne. It’s cute.
Ugh. I hate this problem and have struggled with it for YEARS.
Before I work out I always wipe my face down with make up removing towelettes and right afterwards I make sure to try to mop up as much sweat as possible with a towel or change my shirt. It’s REALLY attractive to stand in the locker room and wipe down the sweat from in between your boobs but backne is worse!
I’m going to have to use your tip about the Stridex pads though. I forgot all about those things.
I have used Neutrogena Body Clear body wash for ages and it seems to be pretty effective.
Thanks for addressing the bacne issue. Seriously. I read a lot of fitness blogs and articles, and so many of them are so “I run 13 hours a day and my skin doesn’t even have pores! Yaaaaaaay!”
Whatever.
Thanks for the tips! Love your blog!
I am pretty good at removing my swamp clothes right after my workout and I also exfoliate using a loofah (the one with a handle so you can actually reach most of your back, lol) and body wash and that seems to work. That meal looks yummy…I love mac & cheese.
Thank you for talking about this taboo topic! I loooove that I get running butt-ne in the summer (no not really). I’ve tried everything, but nothing seems to help. I’ll have to try an astringent/stridex pads as suggested above – anyone else?
I love love love pickles in my salad. Or on anything for that matter.
I use an astringent after my workouts even though I use the apricot scrub post-workout (and proactive in the am). It gets so much crap out.
I use Neutrogena wipes too right after I’m done, but they also just came out the BEST product. It’s they’re Body Clear Body Spray and I just spray it all over my face and body (under my sports bra) when I’m done running and it does the job until I can take a shower. It is seriously awesome.
*their not they’re. Ugh, can’t believe I just did that
big fan of stridex as well – i use the kind with aloe in it so its a little kinder on my skin (i like to tell myself). sometimes when im too lazy at night to wash my face i’ll just use one of those things.
ps your pies look wonderful
I for one get sick and serious pleasure from popping other peoples nasty zits.
When I had a nasty backne one from running I was so upset that I couldn’t pop it – and even more upset when my bf didn’t get excited to pop it for me.
I know – I am disgusting.
I’m with you on this..I get sick satisfaction from this too.
And since my husband thinks I am disgusting, I am lucky to have a younger sister who loves it too & we pop each others bacne.
Yep… we are gross
Yay, thanks for taking my idea! I can’t wait to read the other taboo topics you’ll talk about.
Does Matti grow out a funky moustache/beard each fishing season? It suits him, in a weird kind of way aha!
he does weird things like he grew out his hair super long (for locks of love) and he will grow a grisly ‘stache for awhile and then a beard and then shave it all. i can never keep up with all his facial hairdos.
I use a loafa and a body scrub, it keeps it clear for the most part!! I think bacne is something as a runner you just have to deal with. Its just plain amazing
Ha! Thanks for expanding my vocab with “Buttne”!
I completely agree with the showering ASAP after a workout. I notice when I don’t shower right away, the bacne flairs up. To keep bacne in check I use a loofa & shower gel.
My challenge now is teaching at 6am and lunchtime, then going to back to work without showering. I need to get some Showerpill wipes for sure!
This might sound really weird…or I’m like the dad from My Big Fat Greek Wedding… but I use toothpaste on my acne. It TOTALLY works! If you put it on there for like 2 minutes, the acne is gone almost by the next morning! It’s amazing! And as a bonus, you smell so fresh and so clean clean.
I put pickles on my salad I made for dinner… i just HAD to try it! I used chopped romaine lettuce, cucumber, swiss cheese shavings, Vlassic sweet and crunchy pickles with organic balsamic vinigarette. The sweet pickles were actually very good! I really feel like i was able to use less salad dressing because of the strong, bright flavor.
Thanks for the tip!
I had an issue with this last year and went to the dermatologist just to have them put me on meds that honestly did not help. I started drinking kefir and using stridex/similar pads on my back especially after working out and before bed and it has help dramatically!
So glad others have this issue too!
Try tea tree oil found either in a body lotion or use it straight up from the essential oil. Or spalsh a cotton wool/pad with Kiehls Blue Herbal toner (like how you would use it as a face toner) and use it on the affected area.
If I get spots, I dab some magnesium sulphate paste (I buy it in my local pharmacy) on them before bed and they dry up overnight. The label says it’s for boils and carbuncles
of which I have none, but it really works!
Byron’s oldest looks just like him! As I’m sure you already know, duh.
Proactiv! I have used it for eight years! I cannot go without it. They even have a body wash.
Being a WAHM, sometimes I have to choose between a shower and getting work done. The shower doesn’t always happen. Gross, I know. Having time to shave my legs is a bonus.
thanks for addressing some of the downsides of running! the bacne is no fun at all. I try to keep my skin as clean as I can post-run, and change out of my sweaty clothes as soon as possible. I also noticed it gets worse if my hair is in a ponytail and rubs on my back. I’ve had to get in the habit of wearing a bun because of this.
also, I have to say, I used the target brand st. ives scrub for a long time and recently switched to the brand name– I don’t know if it’s mental, but the $.30 price increase seems to make my skin look better.
{ 1 trackback }