All the Products I Use to Clear the Congested Skin (Below My Face)

A few months ago I took part in a reformer pilates challenge with a bestie of mine, Adore Beauty’s amazing Marketing Coordinator for Hair, Makeup & Fragrance, Laura.

And this isn’t a humble brag, I promise this has a point. Bear with me.

Every second day we were sweating away in the studio as we pulsed a lunge for five, for four, for three and a half…

Barbie squats, woodchoppers and crouching tigers? I’m your girl.

But along with some nice new arm muscles, I got something else in the Pilates Princess package deal.

Breakouts on my chest and back. Cue the record scratch.

Now spots and congestion are definitely natural parts of life, and I’m someone who deals with breakouts monthly, if you catch my drift.

But my body has been relatively spot-free since I exited my teens. So seeing breakouts pop up on my shoulders and chest was a proper jump scare.

I immediately ran to my colleagues who know everything there is to know about skincare, and asked for help.

Armed with some insider knowledge I went ahead and planned out my attack on improving the condition of the skin on my whole body - not just my face.

So, here are a few easy ways to smooth out the skin and give it some love, both in and out of the shower.

And the best part about everything I’m about to tell you?

You can mix and match to find your favourite combo of things that work for you and your skin.

1. Cleanse.

Just as you would with the skin on your face, step one in reducing texture and breakouts is to ensure you’re properly cleansing the skin on your body.

And this is where a few faves of mine come in, the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Peeling Gel 400ml and the snazzy new Foreo LUNA 4 Body Lavender.

I have loved the Effaclar range by La Roche-Posay for a really long time (think years) - so I can actually confirm I’ve used this product before on my face, but never on my body.

There’s a first time for everything!

This cleansing gel intensely purifies the skin to reduce impurities, excess sebum and the recurrence of breakouts.

It comes in a massive 400mL size (what we in the Adore Office would lovingly call a ‘Big Boy’), and even better (if that’s possible) it also comes with a pump that makes it super easy to dispense in the shower.

Similar to my love for the Effaclar range, I have also had my trusty Foreo facial cleansing device for years.

My mum gave it to me as a birthday present back in 2020 and it’s still a daily staple in my routine.

It elevates every product I use it with and leaves my skin feeling super clean and refreshed - which is why I was very excited to hear the brand had developed an ultra-hygienic, bacteria-resistant body version called the Foreo LUNA 4 Body.

This device is about the size of my palm, lasts up to 300 minutes on a single charge, and has a nifty little cord that allows me to hang it to dry when I’m not using it as well.

It also has a bacteria-resistant silicone body (free of phthalates and BPA) which is music to my ears.

Hannah Collingwood English, skincare aficionado, has this to say about those pesky loofahs.

So with all of that considered, after adding the Peeling Gel and the LUNA 4 Body into my shower routine, did I notice a difference in my skin?

Short answer, yes.

The long answer is that with consistent use I noticed a reduction in the redness of the spots already on my decolletage, and when spots did pop up, they were less angry than before.

We love!

2. Scrub.

Next up, we have a scrub.

Now surprisingly I’m not a big physical scrub girlie, as I prefer to go the liquid exfoliation route.

But let me tell you, there’s a reason Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% is a fan fave.

This scrub is a cleanser formulated for use on the face and body.

Glycolic acid, jojoba beads, and tea tree oil work to clear and brighten while also treating congestion and pigmentation concerns.

Talk about a powerhouse.

My skin felt immediately clean after using this scrub, and the little beads weren’t too abrasive against my skin.

This isn’t something I would use every day, but if you're into scrubs, I can see it being a phenomenal way to add a physical exfoliant to your routine full stop.

3. Treat.

Next up is a product I’ve had on my wish list for aaaages: the glorious Dermalogica Clear Start Clarifying Body Spray.

This is a blemish-fighting body spray formulated with some amazing ingredients (think salicylic acid and tea tree oil) to help minimise breakouts in hard-to-reach places.

The mist even sprays upside-down (can you believe?!) so you’ll never miss a spot.

The directions state to spray it onto your body post-shower or workout to help clear, soothe and balance skin - which is exactly how I used it and I can confirm, I loved it.

Like, really really loved it.

First up, it helped me treat those pesky areas I can never reach (like the middle of my back).

I’d dry off after the shower, spray this all over my back, shoulders, arms and chest and away I went.

The mist was super fine and the fact that the bottle could spray while upside down is a massive win - both major wins in my book.

The scent is also very Dermalogica-coded, so it does feel like you’re giving yourself an extra bit of spa self-care in your day.

In regards to results I haven’t seen any new angry spots pop up on my back, and it was super easy to integrate into my daily routine.

4. Nourish.

Lastly, we have the ever-iconic FIRST AID BEAUTY KP Smoothing Body Lotion 170g.

This snazzy product is a dual-focus body lotion with 10% AHA, colloidal oatmeal and ceramides that combines the benefits of a chemical exfoliant and moisturiser to banish bumps and hydrate skin.

It’s also suitable for all skin types. Yep, you read that right. All skin types.

Hello, instant classic.

I used this solely on my arms, by itself one evening after my post-pilates shower just to see if I could notice a difference.

And let me tell you, I was floored when I woke up the next morning and my skin was the smoothest I’ve genuinely ever felt it be!

Since this is a true one-two punch of chemical exfoliant and moisturiser, it should’ve been no surprise I was going to love this product, but it was even better than I expected.

A few more of these can go straight into my basket.

5. Sunscreen.

Now, this article mentions a lot of exfoliating products, and even though SPF is a daily non-negotiable, it’s especially important to use it when you’re going toe-to-toe with your skin barrier.

The Coco & Eve Body Sunscreen SPF50+ is a great sunscreen to use on your whole body.

Formulated with skin-loving ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil and vitamin E, slather it on and let it melt into your skin for the most radiant, sun-protected glow.

Now not only does it offer protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays, but its creamy formula also offers outstanding hydration and moisturising properties for even the most sensitive of skins.

*Important note: Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection so wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.

After more helpful tips and products to treat breakout-prone skin? Check out these BIQs:

• Breakout-Prone? Here Are 5 Skincare Products to Soothe, Smooth and Brighten Your Skin!

• Give Textured and Dull Skin Its Bounce Back With These Skinstitut Products

• A Dermal Therapist Shares 5 of the Best Cleansers for Oily Skin