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How do I get rid of body acne? Like back and chest acne, to be more specific. I’ve been trying to get rid of it for years now and it won’t go away.

When it comes to skin, we have lifestyle tips, “topical” options (things you apply to your skin), and medication options. The best lifestyle tips are making sure you are eating healthily, changing out of gym gear and showering, and getting to know your triggers. The best topical ingredients for acne are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and adapalene (AKA Differin). If you have exhausted all of those, then you should discuss medications with your doctor. It is definitely something that can be improved!

What products help with hormonal cystic acne? Everything I’ve ever tried hasn’t helped. Retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, lactic acid – nearly everything under the sun.

As you have figured out, cystic acne is the mother of all acnes and will not be tamed by skincare products. It usually requires medications: Spironolactone, or Accutane. It can leave scarring, which is much more difficult to treat than the acne itself, so the earlier you address it, the better!

Is the SPF in moisturiser equivalent to the one in sunscreen?

The SPF in your moisturiser is tested the same way as an SPF in sunscreen, so an SPF 30 moisturiser should provide an SPF of 30. The main issue is that these formulas are less likely to be rub and water resistant and may be applied a lot more thinly than sunscreen. It’s for this reason that they may not offer the same level of protection. It is also worth noting that moisturisers containing an SPF may not contain any UVA protection and, as a result, will not protect against UV ageing.

Do sunscreens play a role in making your tan fade faster?

It’s important to understand that sunscreens may not actually prevent tanning. But they do reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation to your skin. This minimises your chances of getting sun damage and sunburns, which are bad for photo aging and skin cancer formation processes. Tip: use conventional sunscreen application (every three to four hours with minimum SPF 30) and avoid the sun when it’s at its hottest.

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