We tend to be very selective of the products and ingredients we put on our faces. However, we sometimes forget that our body deserves that same love and consideration! Whether you’re accustomed to washing yourself with old-fashioned bar soap or a simple liquid soap, we’re here to ask you if those are quite cutting it?

If you feel like the skin on your body is particularly dry or rough, or broken out — you might want to upgrade to a stronger body wash.

How to choose the right body wash?

In order to choose that body wash that will get the skin on your bod into tip-top shape, you should decide on which skin condition you are noticing a little or a lot of. There are two main conditions that can really benefit from a medicated body wash:

Body Acne

Nearly 50% of people with acne have experienced whiteheads, blackheads, or inflammatory pimples on or around their neck, chest, back, butt, and other areas. Acne on your body can arise due to a multitude of factors. Continuing to sleep on dirty sheets and pillowcases is one culprit. Another is staying in sweaty workout clothes! When you have acne-prone skin, sitting in sweaty clothes gives bacteria and sweat the opportunity to clog your pores and create acne. Post workout, make sure to get out of your sweaty gear and cleanse your skin, ASAP.

If you're experiencing painful, under the skin pimples, go for a body wash with Benzoyl Peroxide, like SLMD's BP Body Wash. Made with micronized benzoyl peroxide, it's tiny particles are able to dive deeper into your pores to to attack Propionibacterium acnes, the invaders that cause inflammatory breakouts on the body.

Rough, Dry Skin

If you’re experiencing rough, dry patches on your skin, your plan of attack should include using a scrub with our favorite AHA, Glycolic Acid, like SLMD's Gycolic Acid Body Scrub. Glycolic Acid is a gentle, but effective ingredient that’s able to break down dead skin without irritation, thanks to its small molecular structure. It clears out clogged pores, encourages collagen production, and pulls water into your skin, leaving it smoother AND hydrated. This body wash is formulated with glycolic acid, lactic acid (an even gentler AHA), and willow bark extract. This combination of ingredients will leave your skin feeling exfoliated, but won't strip your skin of the moisture and oils it needs to function properly.

This all might sound overwhelming, but now that you’ve identified your specific symptoms and know what your body needs, you’re just a handful of showers away from better skin!