Blemishes and breakouts don’t necessarily just appear on your face. Acne can show up anywhere on your body. Here’s how you can beat it.

We all fret over a tiny blemish, especially when it shows up at the most inconvenient time. Men and women both suffer from breakouts, and I can assure you that nobody is thrilled when it happens. Much like facial breakouts, body breakouts can ruin your day, so what can you do about it? The importance of hygiene when it comes to the overall health and appearance of skin cannot be overstated. There are no worse culprits than dirt and bacteria when it comes to blemishes and breakouts, so here are some rules to follow.

Facial Acne
Everyone, men and women alike, must cleanse their face and their body every single day. Facial cleansing is a must and should be done in the morning and the evening before bedtime. Choose a cleanser that is most appropriate for your skin type. If you have frequent breakouts, your skin is probably on the oily side, so choose a gel-based cleanser that’ll help control and remove sebum from the skin.

Bonus Tip: If you have frequent breakouts on your cheeks, be sure you are cleaning your makeup brushes on a regular basis. And, make sure your telephones are cleaned regularly as well. The transfer of bacteria can only cause problems for your skin.

Neck Breakouts
As if facial breakouts weren’t bad enough, some of you deal with breakouts on your neck area, too. If your hair is long enough where it touches your neck and shoulders, then you must keep it clean. The constant contact between skin and hair can transfer oils, bacteria and hair products to your skin, causing irritation and breakouts. Keep it pulled away from your skin, especially while sleeping.

Bonus Tip: Be wary of collars that are too tight. The tightness of fabrics can irritate your skin. If you wear a lot of necklaces and scarfs, keep the jewelry and the scarfs clean to limit transfer of bacteria to your neck area. Lastly, when it comes to cleansing, always treat your neck as an extension of your face and be sure to wash in the morning and night to remove any dirt.

Shoulder Irritation
Have you noticed blemishes and breakouts on your shoulder area? There are a couple of things to think about. Make sure your bra straps are resting comfortably on your shoulders and aren’t too tight. If you’re wearing tank tops, the same thing goes. For men and women who carry messenger bags, back packs or purses, keep them light. A bag that’s too heavy, coupled with friction, can lead to skin irritation and breakouts.

Leg Breakouts
There’s nothing more frustrating than finding breakouts on your legs and thighs. When it comes to the upper part of your legs, there can be several culprits that cause those unsightly pimples. In many cases, you may be having a reaction to body lotions, creams, shower gels, laundry detergents, bleach, dryer sheets, you name it. Pay attention if you notice your skin breaking out. For lower legs, you may notice irritation after shaving. Be sure to use a fresh, clean razor, warm water and be wary of leaving depilatory creams on for too long, or applying self tanner right after a fresh shave.

Bonus Tip: Just like the rest of your body, your legs don’t like to be wrapped too tight. Opt for looser fitting pants and remove any elastic fabrics as soon as possible after a long day.

Acne on Your Rear
I take it back; there is something worse than finding breakouts on your legs, like finding breakouts on your butt! Make sure to keep those undies clean, not too tight and find a material that’s breathable. Again, be conscientious of the laundry detergent you use, as some are filled with deodorizers and detergents that can be irritating to your skin. Make sure to keep your backside moisturized as well.

Back Acne (or Bacne)
Back acne or bacne is very common. There are so many contributors to back acne, including tight clothing, excessive sweating, not showering right after exercising and laying your back against dirty athletic equipment or even a yoga mat. The key here comes right back to cleansing your skin to keep it free from germs and bacteria.

More body acne tips:
• Bathe, shower and embrace a daily facial skin care regimen.
• Look for blemish fighting products in all forms, including facial care, spot treatments and even body washes and soaps.
• Hand sanitizer, especially in a spray form, can be your best friend when it comes to avoiding dirt and germs that could be causing your breakouts.

Written by beauty expert, Jacquie Carter – Director, Worldwide Outer Nutrition Education and Training at Herbalife.