We’re willing to bet that when you break out on your face, you spring into action with pimple patches and acne-targeting skin care galore. If you have a stubborn bacne, or back acne, you can also take a proactive approach. Back acne. Instead of waiting—and praying—for the blemishes on your back and shoulders to disappear, it’s time to build a body care routine that keeps bacne at bay.
Lauren Penzi MD, board-certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology on Long Island, New York tells SELF that back acne is exactly what it sounds. It can appear as blackheads or whiteheads. They may also be pustules or cysts. The area may be irritated, red, scaly, or even tender. Bacne can occur at any age and can seem to appear out of the blue. “People who have back acne may not have acne anywhere else on the body,” Isha Tiernan, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, tells SELF.
Amy Huang MD, a board certified dermatologist from Medical Office of Manhattan, New York tells SELF that you can get bacne due to a number of different reasons. “It’s usually worse with hot weather, excessive sweating, and frequent exercise,” she adds. Other contributors include not hitting the shower right after a workout, wearing tight clothes that don’t let your skin breathe, or failing to properly rinse your shampoo and conditioner off of your skin, according to Dr. Penzi. It might also be due to a factor that’s not totally in your control, like hormonal changes.
Making simple changes to your routine, such as spritzing the skin after exercising or switching your body wash, can help you eliminate pimples that are already there and prevent any new ones from forming. Dermatologists shared their best tips and products to treat back acne.
Top picks
- Best Wash PanOxyl Acne Wash
- Best Brush V-Top Silicone Body Cleanser
- Best Spray Dermalogica Clarifying Bacne Suppository
- Best Exfoliant Nécessaire The Body Peel
- Best Cream Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA
This article contains a number of articles that will help you to learn more about the topic.
Best Wash: PanOxyl acne Foaming Wash
- Pros: Simple to implement into your daily routine, kills bacteria and reduces inflammation
- Cons: Can be dried
This face and body wash tackles breakouts like a pro with benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient that’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and reduces oil, Dr. Penzi says. This wash counteracts the drying effects of benzoyl peroxide with moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, dimethicone and glycerin. “When I use this, I swear any back acne is gone the next day,” one SELF editor says. Pro tip: Benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric, so you might want to stick to white towels while you’re using this.
Best brush: V Top Silicone Body Scrubber
- Pros: Easy to clean, inexpensive, doesn’t irritate skin
- Cons: It may not be effective for severe cases of acne