Dealing With Body Acne? Meet My Holy Grail For Stopping Breakouts

I'm a self-proclaimed sweaty girl—which means an intense workout or humid summer day is bound to make me perspire. Beyond leaving damp spots on my clothing, sweat comes with a major downside: body acne.

While I try to shower immediately after a workout, I'm a regular at the boutique fitness studies in New York City (thanks Classpass!). This means I'm often commuting to-and-from class for at least 45 minutes before I'm able to rinse off. And it turns out, that's adequate time for bacteria to get trapped in my pores.

For years, I accepted breakouts were just side effect of staying active. Then I snagged a free bottle of Soft Services Clearing Mist at the office.

Soft Services Clearing Mist targets breakouts at every stage with three active ingredients: salicylic acid, zinc, and niacinamide.

A low concentration of 2% zinc kickstarts the acne-fighting process by helping regulate sebum production. Remember: Sebum is a natural, waxy oil that can build up over time and clog pores.

This is paired with a 1% concentration of salicylic acid. Naturally antibacterial, the BHA dissolves excess oil and targets bacteria to ease breakouts1.

Finally, a 5% niacinamide rounds out the trio (which is the typical strength used in research). The B vitamin also fights acne—but it boasts other benefits, like reduced hyperpigmentation and improved skin elasticity2.

When I first got the Soft Services Clearing Mist, I primarily used it right after leaving workout classes. I sweat a lot during workout classes, so I would try to head to the bathroom and wipe down post-class.

Although I noticed an immediate reduction in overall breakouts, my body acne wasn't entirely gone. It wasn't until I started applying the mist regularly like a toner post-shower (a recommendation from our beauty editor, Hannah Frye) that I saw my pimples and ingrowns all but disappear.

Beyond the proof that it actually works (photos below!!) there are a few other reasons I'm a huge fan of this mist.

It's easy to apply

I don't need anyone's help to apply this medicated tonic! The spray nozzle makes it easy to reach all parts of your body—including my back and bum. Plus, you can opt for a refill to reduce waste.

I can use it every day

Despite having three actives, the mist never causes irritation. The soothing aloe leaf juice and glycerin actually make my skin feel softer than when I originally applied it (once the initial stickiness dries down).

A little goes a long way

I've been using the Clearing Mist for at least six months and just had to reorder a couple of weeks ago—but I think the bottle could last even longer for people who target specific areas of their body.

Benefits go beyond fighting breakouts

Of course, I wouldn't be a true product reviewer without a few notes about the formula. First off, I'm not a huge fan of the herbal scent. It's not terrible; the fragrance just leans medicinal rather than fresh.