Body Acne Tips and Tricks: Plus, our go-to products to quickly — and gently — treat breakouts.

I pride myself on taking really good care of my skin, and I usually get compliments on how well the texture of it looks and feels. However, this past spring, meteorite-like clusters of acne spread like wildfire on my back and chest. What’s worse: It all started spiraling just weeks before the start of summer a.k.a. the season for swimsuits, tank tops, and backless dresses.

OUR SKINCARE EXPERTS HAVE EVALUATED OVER FIFTY OF THE TOP ACNE PRODUCTS

I automatically began researching causes, treatments, and the best products to combat my not-so-fabulous flare-up all while trying my hardest not to be insecure or impatient about it. I consulted top dermatologists, estheticians, skin experts, and also became my own guinea pig for products to see what really works. It has been a bumpy road, literally, but I now know how to approach this sketchy skin situation like an OG if it ever happens again. In this article, you’ll learn how bacne forms and how to get rid of it once and for all.

A few ingredients to look for in a body wash: salicylic acid (to exfoliate and remove pore-clogging debris and break up blackheads and whiteheads), glycolic acid (the best at exfoliating and unclogging impurities and excess oil due to it’s tiny molecules), lactic acid (to fight acne and even out skin tone),  benzoyl peroxide (to clean out the P. acnes bacteria that contributes to acne), or sulfur (to lessen inflammation).

BEST BODY ACNE WASHES IN 2023
OUR #1 PICK	Misumi Blemish Clear Body Wash	Clears up body acne fast Calms redness and inflammation Removes impurities that clog up pores and cause acne	VIEW LATEST PRICE →
	Misumi Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser	Best acne cleanser on the market Cleans pores deeply & thoroughly Helps control excess oil without drying the skin	VIEW LATEST PRICE →
	Paula’s Choice-CLEAR Back and Body Acne Spray	It can reach anywhere but your hands can’t A bit pricey and not very effective Contains Salicylic Acid
	Murad Clarifying Body Spray	Contains Salicylic Acid Questionable practicality For those with money to splurge
	CLn Body Wash – Moisturizing Body Wash	Contains a component of bleach Can be very effective but irritating Pricey

Tips and Tricks to Banish Bacne & Keep It at Bay

• Exfoliate Regularly

“Like the face, one’s upper torso and back have more sebaceous (oil producing) glands than any other area of the body, which means it produces more of the skin’s natural oil, increasing the likelihood of developing body acne in these areas. Exfoliating on a regular basis is also important since the skin cells on the back may not slough off as efficiently as needed and that pile-up can aggravate acne,” says Doris Day, a New York City dermatologist and Olay Professional Alliance member. Try Misumi Blemish Clear Body Wash, $28.95.

• Spot-Treat Bacne

Spot treatments and masks aren’t just for your face — they can be a targeted way to tackle bacne breakouts, too. Esthetician and skin-care expert Renée Rouleau recommends using a mask with ingredients like sulfur, camphor, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and clay, like her Rapid Response Detox Masque. You can also use spot treatments that you would normally use on your face on your bod. For breakouts that are close to the surface, try Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion for an overnight fix. If your bacne is the cystic kind, Rouleau’s Anti-Cyst Treatment is a great option.

• Use an Acne Spray to Reach Difficult Spots on Your Back

Getting acne medication on your back can be tricky, but this simple spray can propel its treatment from any angle. Try Murad Clarifying Body Spray, $43.

• Shower After Working Out 

One of the reasons bacne happens is because we’re busy being so awesome and healthy working up a sweat! “Breakouts on the back and body can be exacerbated by working out or sweating more,” explains skin expert Rouleau. Whenever possible, shower right after exercising to help remove sweat that may be irritating the skin and causing clogged pores on your back.

• Use Specially Formulated Cleansers

Take advantage of cleansers made specifically to fight bacne, like the Blemish Clear Body Wash, which deposits salicylic acid wherever you need it most, leaving you feeling ultraclean and helping you to fight acne all over your body.

• Use a Cleansing Brush

Scrubbing your back seems basically impossible, until you try Clarisonic’s body brush — it deep cleans even tough skin around your upper shoulders. The extending handle allows you to easily get to hard-to-reach areas. Try the Clarisonic Mia Smart Deluxe Acne Prevention Kit, $199.

• Don’t Let Conditioner Sit on Your Back

Sometimes how we wash our hair is is to blame for bacne. When conditioner-coated hair sits directly on our backs, it seeps into the skin — and that can actually be the cause of back and body acne. So the answer to how to get rid of bacne might be as simple as clipping your hair up if you’re going to let a conditioner sit in it for a bit. It’s also important to keep it off your back after the shower, too. Even though you’ve rinsed, the freshly conditioned hair can irritate sensitive, acne-prone skin.

• Don’t Try to Squeeze Bacne

As with regular acne, avoid picking any bacne or body acne. Just like with your face, picking acne on your body can spread bacteria and cause more pimples, as well as lead to scarring (and no one wants to deal with that).

• Wash Your Bedsheets, Pillowcase and Gym Clothes Regularly

Sheets and recycled workout gear can be a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Make sure to wash your sheets frequently and avoid the temptation to wear your sports bra or tank for more than one sweat sesh.

• Visit a Dermatologist 

“As someone who has struggled with back acne during my teenage years, I am very familiar with this troubling condition,” says Rouleau. “While there are great things you can do for yourself at home, to get even better results, schedule an appointment to get a back treatment with a skin-care professional.” Unlike a DIY treatment, a back facial with a licensed esthetician will deep-clean clogged pores, as well as give a powerful, professional-strength exfoliation to boost the results of your home care.

Best OTC Treatments for Body & Back Acne 2023

Here are the best creams, washes and cleansers for healing your bacne in 2023, based on quality review and user experience.

Best Supplementary Treatment: Paula’s Choice-CLEAR Back and Body Acne Spray-w/2% Salicylic Acid-Leave-On Exfoliant ($28)

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