The summer season comes with its own sets of pros and cons. While we love the tan that develops after our beach vacay or the tall glass of lemonade we get to sip on after a dip in the ocean, the rest of the times we are left to deal with itching and sweat that constantly needs to be tended to.

Excessive sweating in the summer has another sneaky cause for concern — it causes the skin on your body to break out. Known as folliculitis, the sweat combined with dirt and natural oils present on your body can lead to infection in the hair follicles. They look like tiny bumps and are more often found in areas where you have a lot of hair follicles, like your chest and back. Not to mention, the annoying breakouts in places like your armpits and butt (uh-oh!), where the bumps can be especially painful and annoying.

Breakouts on your body in the summer need to be dealt with care, and here are a few simple tips on how to do that…

 

01. Include acne-fighting products in your cleansing routine

Include acne-fighting products in your cleansing routine

It is important to wash off the sweat and dirt of the day from your body. Use products with acne-fighting ingredients in your body cleansing routine. Body washes with salicylic acid, anti-bacterial soaps and clarifying body wash gels can all lend a helping hand in keeping breakouts on your body at bay.

BB picks: Lever Ayush Purifying Turmeric Soap

 

02. Exfoliate with care

Exfoliate with care

You might be wary of exfoliating during the summer, especially when your skin is breaking out. And it is with good reason because areas like your chest, where the skin is thinner, can get inflamed and break out more if scrubbed harshly. Pick a gentle and creamy body polish or just use a shower puff once a week to gently exfoliate your body and slough off the pore-clogging dead skin cells.

BB picks: Dove Exfoliating Body Polish Scrub with Kiwi Seeds and Cool Aloe

 

03.Slather soothing lotions as much as you want

Slather soothing lotions as much as you want

The summer season gives you lots of opportunities to drown yourself in sweet-smelling lotions and they can help out with body acne as well. Look for ingredients like lavender or neem that provide anti-inflammatory benefits to your skin. Follow up your shower with a lightweight lotion to keep your skin calm and happy all day.

BB picks: Love Beauty & Planet Argan Oil and Lavender Aroma Soothe and Serene Body Lotion

 

04. Keep perspiration in check

Keep perspiration in check

If perspiration is the issue, keep it in check as much as possible. Talcs, roll-ons and aerosol sprays work by inhibiting your sweat glands from releasing too much sweat in your underarms and keep it bacteria-free. Apply your antiperspirants on clean skin right after your shower and even before hitting the sheets at night to get the most out of them.

BB picks: Rexona Powder Dry Underarm Odour Protection Roll On

 

05. Keep your problem areas nourished

Keep your problem areas nourished

Certain areas of your body are more prone to breakouts than the rest of your body. These spots lack essential moisture and nourishment and thus develop itchy bumps that feel annoying under your clothes. The best way to prevent this is by layering on a cooling body gel or cream to keep your skin hydrated and breakout-free.

BB picks: Vaseline Body Ice Gel Cream