Buy That Backless Dress, Because These 7 Habits Will Obliterate Body Acne

Your sweat is a concoction of oil, dead skins cells, and bacteria that clogs pores. That's why it's essential to shower after a particularly raunchy day. The good news is that perspiring is a great way to purge bacteria from your pores, but make sure that you rinse those impurities away so it's not reabsorbed through the skin. If you can't get to a shower right after exercising, don't fret — just stash an oil-controlling body spray in your gym bag for post-workout touch-ups.

Heavy butters are great for combating dry skin in the Winter, but during warmer months, you should swap the lotion for a lighter moisturiser like Rad Soap Co.'s Chaga Face Cream (£27). If you typically apply sun protection on top of a moisturiser, consider gentle creams that have additional SPF protection like Andalou Naturals Ultra Sheer Daily Defense Facial Lotion (£10).

The heat from a steaming shower can help open your pores before you apply body wash. A mild steam treatment works to soften and draw blackheads up from the surface and to help flush out excess oil. Just don't steam for too long — a maximum of 15 minutes is recommended.

Depending on where you live, hard water might flow out of your pipes. Your state's water testing records are part of the public record, so you can check them online. If you find that your water supply includes impurities such as chlorine or radon, you should consider investing in a stabilising shower water filter.

Many of us produce more oil when it's warm because the heat increases oil production in our sebum glands. If you feed your dry hair heavy treatments, excess oil in that product can lead to bacne when your strands touch your skin. Stay away from silicones and sulphates in your haircare products, and stick with gentle brands like Aubrey Organics.

Keep your hair tilted while you wash and condition your mane. This keeps it off your body, which protects your back. After you shower, style with a towel to avoid any drippage from damp strands. My secret is using the same moisturising agent on my hair that I do my face — coconut oil will hydrate both.

Tight clothes and backpacks cause friction that leads to spots. Naturally, if you're sweating up a storm, that's only going to contribute to the horror that is bacne. Do yourself a favour and opt for looser tops and dresses on those particularly hot days. If you must put on that body-con dress, stick to natural, breathable materials like cotton or silk.