Like low-rise jeans and hair claw clips, tube tops are having a 2023 moment. Summer is peak season for the aughties trend revival, but this also means paying attention to body parts we usually keep covered: our backs and upper arms.
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Thankfully, bacne and bumpy arms are common issues that are treatable at home and in the dermatologist’s office.
Try these tips for smoother, glowing skin on your back, shoulders and arms—the better to show off your favorite tube top. Just like Rihanna!
Banish Bacne
Similar to acne on the face or anywhere else on the body, bacne can show up as cysts, blackheads, whiteheads, and other kinds of bumps. What makes it more difficult to treat is the location—unless you’ve got really open shoulders from a regular yoga practice or your roommate’s a Dr. Pimple Popper fan who will happily smear some treatment on you. Back skin is also thick, which means its pore and hair follicles are bigger and can lead to more inflammation and breakouts.
That said, following a similar protocol to fighting face acne is effective.
- Cleanse with a salicylic acid body wash
Salicylic acid dissolves oils and unclogs pores to help eliminate breakouts. Try CeraVe Bodywash With Salicylic Acid or Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash.
- Or try a benzoyl peroxide cleanser
Panoxyl Acne Creamy Wash contains 4% benzoyl peroxide, the holy grail of acne treatment. It kills acne-causing bacteria, especially the ones that lead to pissy red pimples.
- Moisturize, but make it non-comedogenic
If your back skin is inflamed, soothe and hydrate with Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. Because it’s non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic, it shouldn’t cause breakouts.
Bumpy Arms AKA Keratosis Pilaris
That “chicken skin” or “strawberry skin” on the backs of your arms isn’t acne. It’s a genetic skin condition called keratosis pilaris (thanks, mom and dad). The protein keratin plugs hair follicles, leading to small white or red bumps, usually on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks and butt.
There’s no cure for KP, but it is possible to lessen the bumps. Some good news: With age, KP does seem to lessen. In the meantime, treat it like this.
- Drop some acid
Glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids will all help reduce keratin buildup and soften skin. Try Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Body Wash with 2% salicylic acid or First Aid Beauty’s KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA.
- Lotion up
Don’t skip or skimp on moisturizing your bumps. AmLactin Body Lotion has 12% lactic acid which gently exfoliates and is super hydrating.
- See your derm
If at-home treatments aren’t improving your KP, make an appointment with your
dermatologist. Laser treatments that exfoliate deep in the skin layers will help manage
your KP.
Now you’re ready for tube top season. Just like Zendaya!
Will you be rocking tube tops this summer? Let us know in the comments!
