A little love goes a long way.
by Nathan Reilly Sep 12, 2020
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In 2014, Dove launched the campaign “An Open Letter to the Armpit” to point out that we often forget to take care of the skin under our arms. Similarly, many of us might neglect the skin on our bums.
Your booty may seem like it has the most protection (I mean, it is covered most of the time, right?), but environmental stressors like air pollution, allergens, and the sun can mess with your complexion and lead to clogged pores and outbreaks, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
The most common of concerns is widely known as “buttne” or folliculitis, a mild bacterial or fungal infection of the hair follicles that leads to red bumps and pus-filled pimples. Unlike acne, which can result from hormones, stress, and diet, folliculitis forms from a combination of sweat, skin oils, dirt, and friction from your bottoms. Over time, these breakouts can develop into hyperpigmentation known as dark spots, which tend to last longer than acne and are often more difficult to fade. While the main culprit behind hyperpigmentation is unknown, studies suggest it results from an overproduction of melanin, the compound responsible for your skin’s pigment.
If you have a darker skin tone, you might be more prone, Aanand Geria, MD, a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology and the founder of Geria Dermatology in Rutherford, New Jersey, tells Intrigue.
As we near the end of summer and enter cooler temperatures, less humidity and indoor heating also become concerns for dry skin. To effectively target each of your worries, both Dr. Zeichner and Dr. Geria recommend incorporating booty masks into your routine at least once to twice per week.
Here are our top recommendations to keep your bottom as perfect as a peach.
The Holy Grail
Bawdy Beauty Butt Sheet Masks, $34 for a set of four or $9 each
Bawdy offers four booty masks — Bite It, Squeeze It, Slap It, and Shake It — to tone, rejuvenate, detoxify, and brighten. Except Squeeze It, each contains an alpha hydroxy acid, which Dr. Geria regards as the best ingredient to cleanse and exfoliate, to rid your bum of buttne while still addressing other skin concerns.
Acne Treating and Moisturizing
For hot results minus the wait time of a rinse-off mask, give this buttne clearing lotion a go. Alpha hydroxy acids dispel bumps while aloe, calendula, and arnica soothe inflammation associated with outbreaks.
Tackle buttne and ditch irritation with this three-minute clarifying mask created to soften, smooth, and glow up that bum of yours.
Firming and Elasticity
Products with caffeine can help minimize the appearance of cellulite, according to Dr. Zeichner. With key ingredient guaraná seed extract, containing around four times the amount of caffeine in coffee beans, your butt will be firm in no time!
This boost of caffeine and hyaluronic acid is all your skin needs to achieve a booty that’s plump and smooth. If you don't believe us, peep the thousands of five-star reviews. For speedy results, use up to twice daily.
Brightening
Keep your bum stretch mark- and cellulite-free with this peach-scented collagen cream designed to promote skin elasticity and glow. With moisturizing agents isopropyl myristate and glycerin, you can expect a peach-like feel, too.
