Help me solve acne on shoulders

[WeddingsAreStressful]

I'm getting married this summer and have chosen a beautifuuul strapless dress. But, especially before my period, I tend to get spots on my back, especially where my bra strap rubs the top of my shoulder. I also have marks from older spots. It's not too bad i.e. not full blown red painful spots all the time but I do want to sort it out. Question is how? I've started exfoliating and also using a mud mask that's supposed to help. So far results are not great...any ideas?

[Rainbowglow]

I was forever suffering from breakouts on my back and chest (face was clear). I tried everything. What worked for me was avoiding rich body lotions and oil rich scrubs on this area. I used glycolic acid products on the area twice a day and used light serums and oil free gels for moisture. Plus I changed my bra every day. It took a few weeks but worked.

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

I read a tip the other day that you should wash your back after rinsing conditioner out of your hair in the shower. I suppose the conditioner would be like a rich body lotion as described by Rainbowglow above, and would cause the same problems if not washed off the skin properly.

[Rainbowglow]

Yes hair conditioner and certain shampoos can also cause breakouts on the shoulders and back/chest. So when you are in the shower and washing your hair make sure you rinse your body really well so nothing is left on the skin.

[MrDacresEUSubsidy]

Another one saying wash your back and shoulders after using conditioner. If you have long hair then take a bobble into the shower with you. Once you have washed the conditioner out of your hair then tie it up on the top of your head using the bobble. Wash your neck, shoulders and back again.

Salycylic acid is good for spots - Clearasil pads are cost effective. Use them on the tops of your shoulders after drying off.

[Fuzzypeggy]

Op I hope you can sort the acne out but as a kind of side issue, are you sure you've picked the right dress for you if you are going to be worrying about the skin that's on display? I know if that was me before my wedding, it would have stressed me out.

[tinydancer88]

I get this problem sometimes if it's hot or I've been exercising a lot, and making sure to leave any lotion etc off the skin and use a scrub with salycylic acid helped my back-ne to clear up super quick.

[WeddingsAreStressful]

Some good tips there, thank you! The washing after rinsing my conditioner makes a lot of sense!
I'm quite confident in my dress choice, the problem isn't bad enough to put me off a strapless dress, I'd just like to improve it if I can/avoid a big spot on the day. It does tend to be worse in winter.

[Doobigetta]

Lush do a mint and clay/pumice mask for clearing up bacne. I think it's called Magnaminty. It's very good, anyway. Worth a go.

[beforeihit30]

You can get a witch hazel and tea tree spray in Boots, designed for spraying on the back and shoulders for blemishes. I used to use it and found it helpful, after the shower you spray it on and leave to dry.

[MyOtherNameIsBetter]

A few cheeky sunbeds in the run up to the big day will clear any remaining spots

[WeddingsAreStressful]

Thank you, will try those products! Sun beds aren't an option for me at all but thanks.

[user1475253854]

I use quite a cheap shower gel as it's all I can afford atm but I think it aggravates the spots on my shoulders/back/chest so I've been washing that area with a small amount of my gentle face wash instead and I think it's helped.