How I FINALLY Cleared Up My Chest Acne
If you are like me, then you are probably wondering WHY TF ARE WE BREAKING OUT ON OUR CHESTS?!
As if the double mastectomy wasn’t enough, now we are being blessed with breakouts…on our freaking foobs.
As if we don’t already have enough to worry about, adding in unwanted pimples seems like the icing on the cake. Or maybe the sprinkles on top?! idk… either way you get the point.
For the past two years I have really struggled with what has felt like hormonal breakouts. I never had chest acne before my surgery so I think its safe to assume that my mastectomy was to blame. Any major hormonal changes or fluctuations in our bodies can make our oil-producing glands crazy, which can clog our pores and lead to chest pimples, Makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is why I haven’t visited a freaking dermatologist and gotten this fixed…
Anyways, I FINALLY have my chest breakouts under control and I couldn’t be more grateful to the acne gods.
A few things that have really worked for me:
1. Cutting meat out of my diet.
This might seem pretty drastic, but I immediately saw a huge difference! The first week or so is a bit challenging if you have never given up meat before but I promise you get used to it. I didn’t cut out meat permanently, I only did this for a few weeks, but this reset worked wonders!
2. Limiting dairy (TBH I couldn’t COMPLETELY give up cheese!! 🤷🏻♀️🧀 #balance)
This was another game-changer for my skin - for my face, back and chest! Once I limited the amount of dairy I was consuming, my chest started to clear up.
3. Switching to natural nontoxic skin care.
I stopped using products that contain harmful ingredients and really started paying attention to labels. You can find the full list of products I started using below!
4. Forehead to Foobs rule
This is a game changer and I don’t know why I haven’t been doing this ALL MY LIFE. I now apply all of my skincare products from my forehead down to my foobs (and on my back, too!) Trust me, if you don’t already do this, it’s a must!
5. Dry brushing
I lightly exfoliate my chest and it’s helped unclog pores, reduce breakouts, helps the products seep in deeper and boosts circulation and collagen production. To watch a video of me drybrushing, click here.
6. Celery juice AND CHLOROPHYLL
If you know me, you know that I love me some celery juice. When I am consistent with drinking it first thing in the morning, it really helps clear my skin up! Just be warned, when you first start, expect major breakouts as the toxins leave your body #worthit. To read more about my love of celery juice click here. I also like to add some chlorophyll drops to my water in the morning and at night and this has not only helped clear my skin but it has also helped me debloat - it’s an amazing anti inflammatory!
7. Getting a humidifier!
This was SUCH a game changer for my skin 🙌🏻 Keeping your skin hydrated is one of the MOST IMPORTANT THINGS when it comes to combating breakouts. Actually, idk why I just typed that, I am not a dermatologist so I actually have no freaking idea if that is true but it seems to be for me and my skin L O L. I do know that when our skin is dry, it can cause oil secretion from our sebaceous glands to make up for that loss of moisture. When this excess oil mixes with our dead skin cells, toxins, bacteria, and dirt, that is already on our chest it can cause acne. What has helped me to prevent this is to make sure that I am keeping my skin hydrated - ESPECIALLY when I sleep!! I recently bought THIS humidifier and I am obsessed with it.
8. AND A FACIAL STEAMER
Facials steamers are meant to detoxify and cleanse your skin, clear your pores and stimulate circulation. The amazing thing about these steamers is that when they clear your pores, it enables your skincare products and treatments to better penetrate your skin below the surface which makes them so much more effective. I love this one!
Full list of products I have been using:
Skin Types combination, normal, dry, and oily
Skin Goals brightening, acne-clearing, calming, and anti-aging
Clean you can feel
This cleanser is gentle enough for daily use, but don’t let that fool you. This mineral-rich Organic Seaweed gel cleanser effectively removes excess oil and surface impurities from skin while maintaining a hydrated, healthy looking complexion. Your skin will feel the (deeply satisfying) tingle as it gets to work, removing dirt and oil but leaving skin’s natural pH balance intact.
Why I love it
This cleanser is milky smooth! It smells amazing and feels SO good on my skin. It seems to tighten without making my skin dry.
2. INDIE LEE TONER
Skin Types dry, normal, oily, and combination
Skin Goals sensitive-safe, anti-aging, brightening, hydrating, and calming
Mind your Qs
Put powerful antioxidant CoQ-10 to work on your skin to hydrate, refresh, balance and youth-ify skin. The alcohol-free, non-drying formula balances skin's optimal pH to help clear up that noon-time shine
Why I love it:
Indie Lee is a Breastie!! She launched her eponymous brand to provide safe skincare solutions for women and men after her cancer diagnosis. Most toners seem to dry out my skin and feel really harsh. This toner is refreshing and hydrating but you can still tell it’s getting the job done!
3. INDIE LEE SQUALANE FACIAL OIL
SKIN TYPES OILY, COMBINATION, NORMAL, AND DRY
Skin Goals sensitive-safe, anti-aging, acne-clearing, hydrating, and brightening
Smooth operator
Just a few drops of this age-defying serum of 100% pure squalane oil smooths skin like nothing else. It leaves skin soft and nourished, even as it goes after signs of aging with a (toxin-free) vengeance.
Why I love it:
I feel like this drenches my skin in moisture. It immediately gives you that dewey glow that we ALL want. I was a little nervous to use an oil on my skin since I have really oily skin BUT this works wonders!! I am a big fan!
4. URSA MAJOR BRIGHTEN UP VITAMIN C SERUM
Skin Types dry, normal, oily, and combination
Skin Goals brightening, anti-aging, sensitive-safe, and hydrating
Brighter days ahead
Think of this serum as a one-stop solution for better looking skin. The feather light, water-based formula is infused with aloe to hydrate without weighing skin down. Water-soluble, stable Vitamin C brightens and firms skin as powerhouse rose hip lightens dark spots and softens the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Edelweiss, with its anti-aging stem cell complex, infuses skin with powerful antioxidants; aspen bark delivers a natural source of salicylic acid to exfoliate and calm inflammation.
Why I love it:
I love ANYTHING with aloe and vitamin C. I already feel like my face looks brighter, my dark spots have lightened, and its helped with any inflammation and redness! Plus it smells AMAZING!!
As many of you know, I have spent over a year feeling insecure about my reconstruction and what my chest looks like. Having pimples on top of that all absolutely did not help my self confidence or body positivity. I am so grateful to have FINALLY gotten my skin under control and I hope that you feel empowered to do the same!
It can feel overwhelming trying to navigate the world of clean beauty, so try swapping out your products slowly, rather than all at once to give yourself and your wallet, a break!
I am always here to help and answer any questions you may have.
Sending you lots of love,