Why You Should Swap Body Scrubs For Toner To Fight Body Breakouts

Treating body acne is actually not too different from treating breakouts on the face: You want to keep up with exfoliation, use acne-fighting ingredients, and, as always, tend to the moisture barrier. The skin on your body can generally tolerate a higher percentage of active ingredients than your face, mainly because the skin is thicker and generally less sensitive. Still, some products can be way too aggressive—namely, harsh scrubs. Here, a worthy swap. 

What does over-exfoliation look like? Typical physical signs include redness, small bumps, and dryness or flakes. Your skin may feel more sensitive to the touch and react strongly to products as well. You can easily over-exfoliate by using coarse body scrubs, especially if you're rubbing too hard or for too long. Of course, not all body scrubs are bad (in fact, here's a list of our favorite gentle buffers), but it's important to know what your skin can and cannot handle.

Nichols suggests swapping out that scrub for another underrated body product: toner. "Toners are a great addition to body care routines because they refresh the skin without stripping away natural moisture," she explains. Those with acne-prone skin should look for an acne-fighting toner in particular.

You can also look for these toning ingredients in a body wash. Just remember to only use these washes on the affected area and stick to something gentle and hydrating for the rest of your body. 

It's common to think you can scrub away body acne, but that's going to result in more harm than good. Using harsh scrubs on these affected areas can actually cause over-exfoliation, which will lead to even more problems. Instead, reach for a toner that's made specifically for treating body acne. Be sure to follow up with body lotion to ensure your moisture barrier stays intact. If you're looking for more expert advice on clearing body breakouts, check out these three need-to-know tips.