Antibacterial Soap for Acne and Body Breakouts

People are often concerned about facial acne, but acne is not limited to face only. Plenty of people notice acne on skin areas such as the chest, back, shoulders and arms.

As sweat, oil, dust, dead skin cells and tight clothing all contribute to these skin acne or breakouts. That’s why many people often look for a solution and antibacterial soap is one such popular product they consider.

As it is specially formulated with ingredients that contain anti bacterial properties which help in killing and inhibiting the growth of acne causing bacteria. However not all antibacterial soaps are effective and safe as some also contain harsh chemicals that leave the skin dry and irritated.

Hence this blog will talk about why acne or body breakouts happen, can antimicrobial soap help with acne, ingredients to look for and important things to keep in mind which will help you to pick the right soap for acne that ensures best results without any further skin damage.

Why Do Acne or Body Breakouts Happen?

Normally an acne is developed when the skin pores get totally blocked due to excess oil, dead skin cells and other contaminants. In addition to that, inflammation and acne causing bacteria totally play a role in causing acne or skin breakouts.

Similarly like facial acne, body breakouts follow a similar pattern. But skin areas such as the chest and back are more prone to acne as they have a higher number of oil producing glands which leads to excess oil.

More sweating is not only a factor that leads to acne. Wearing tight clothes that traps moisture onto the skin and also increases friction against the skin causes skin irritation. Due to which pores get clogged which result in body breakouts.

Can Antibacterial Soap Help Acne?

While antibacterial soaps are specially formulated with ingredients which contain properties to reduce the growth of microorganisms. But acne is caused by several factors not only because of bacteria.

Clinical studies have shown that ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are a great option for fighting acne or breakouts. As benzoyl peroxide kills the acne causing bacteria and provides anti-inflammatory properties while salicylic acid helps in clearing the clogged pores and excess oil which totally prevent acne or skin breakouts.

A body wash or cleanser is considered better as it contains the essential properties to reduce and prevent acne. While antimicrobial soap is only helpful for reducing bacteria growth.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearly states that there is not enough evidence that over the counter antibacterial soaps can be used for providing protection against illness than any other regular soaps or water. Moreover, soaps containing triclosan and triclocarban should not be used without any prescription.

Ingredients That Help With Acne

Choosing the right ingredients, body cleanser or soap is important to tackle the acne in the right way and avoiding any common pitfalls. These are some ingredients which are proven to fight acne:

Salicylic Acid

It is the number one choice for many people struggling with acne and is highly recommended by experts if the person’s skin is not very sensitive. A salicylic acid is an oil soluble, beta-hydroxy acid which allows it to pierce deeply into the skin pores and assists in clearing clogged pores from deep which makes it ideal for preventing blackheads and acne.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is a stronger ingredient than others to fight acne. It has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It introduces oxygen into the pores which eliminates acne causing bacteria as they cannot survive in oxygen conditions. While anti-inflammatory properties make it best for red, inflamed, pus-filled bumps.

Turmeric

If you are looking to invest in a soap then you should invest in a turmeric soap. A small clinical trial showed that curcumin present in the turmeric helps in reducing inflammation and redness around the breakout skin which prevents future acne. However these small studies are not yet universally proven and are still in question.

Things to Keep in Mind

While using an antibacterial soap or acne treatment procedure, you should keep these essential things in mind to ensure best results and avoid common pitfalls.

• Ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide need time to work and washing off immediately will not provide results. Massage it for 1-2 minutes on the skin to allow it to work.
• Rubbing your skin forcefully or with coarse washcloths can cause micro tears on the skin which destroys the skin’s protective barrier.
• Not applying a hydrating moisturizer after cleansing the skin can totally leave the skin dry and forces the body to produce more oil that results in clogged pores and increased breakouts.
• Ingredients like salicylic acid exfoliate the skin outer layer and new cells are sun sensitive and forgetting sunscreen can totally cause instant sun tanning and dark spots.

When Should You See a Dermatologist?

On-store products can be useful for treating mild acne or breakouts, however they are not suitable for every situation.

If you are struggling with large, painful, deep pimples, recurring breakouts and acne that are totally leaving acne scars or dark spots then taking professional advice is best. The AAD clearly states that these skin conditions often need expert directed treatment rather than over-the-counter products.

Moreover, if you are not seeing any results after using the over the counter acne products then consulting with dermatologists is the right way.

Wrapping Up

Antibacterial soap looks like the right option for acne or body breakouts as it reduces the growth of bacteria. However an acne is not caused by only bacteria, there are several factors that play a role in it. That’s why looking for products which contain ingredients such as salicylic acid that are proven to clear clogged pores is the better choice.

But sometimes these over-the-counter acne products are not enough to provide the better results which is why seeking professional advice is the right choice. As some conditions need dermatologists directed treatment and should be treated with these on-store products.