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HOW TO GET RID OF BACK ACNE, ACCORDING TO A DERMATOLOGIST

Buh-bye, bacne.

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(Image credit: Dima Sidelnikov/Getty)

Jump to category:
 * What Is Bacne?
 * How to Treat Back Acne
 * The Best Products to Get Rid of Body Acne
 * Meet the Expert

By Samantha Holender
published 5 days ago
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Hate to say it, but anywhere you have skin, you can have acne. Sure, the face is
the most talked-about location, but it’s also pretty damn common to experience
breakouts on your back. While one of the best spot treatments can certainly
tackle a spot or two, you’re going to need to make bigger changes to your
overall routine to actually get rid of bacne. The good news: There’s a pretty
hard and fast formula for calming down body acne. 



For some, nixing bacne may be as simple as showering after working up a sweat.
For others? You might need to pay a visit to your dermatologist and get on a
prescription regimen. To get the full breakdown on bacne, keep reading.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nkem Ugonabo explains everything you need to
know. 


WHAT IS BACNE?



“Back acne is often used as a catch-all term that refers to breakouts on the
body,” says Dr. Ugonabo. And, just like acne on the face, it can present
differently on different people. You may have blackheads and whiteheads, cysts,
or inflamed red bumps. 

But there’s a catch. Sometimes, the bumps on your back aren’t actually acne at
all. “There are other ‘breakouts’ that can mimic acne because they look like
pimples,” says Dr. Ugonabo. “You could have folliculitus, which refers to
inflamed hair follicles that are caused by the buildup of sweat and dirt.”
There’s also the chance that your bumpy back is indicative of a
follicle-blocking skin condition called keratosis pilaris (KP). 

RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU... Marie Claire




HOW TO TREAT BACK ACNE

If you have mild or moderate bacne (think: whiteheads, blackheads, and some red
bumps), you’ll probably be able to manage your breakouts with over the counter
products and a few lifestyle changes. But, if your body breakouts are painful or
more severe, make sure to touch base with your board-certified dermatologist. 




DON’T POP AND PICK

This should go without saying, but don’t start squeezing, popping, and picking
your pimples. It’s going to introduce new bacteria, can lead to infection, and
quite frankly, will make matters worse. “This is only going to increase your
risk for dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and scarring.” 


AVOID TIGHT CLOTHING

If you’re dealing with folliculitis, friction against the skin is only going to
perpetuate the problem. And if it’s actually acne? Rubbing is going to
contribute to inflammation. As such, Dr. Ugonabo says your best bet is to reach
for water-resistant, sweat-wicking, loose clothing.


DON’T SIT IN SWEAT

“Waiting too long to shower after a workout can increase the likelihood of a
breakout,” says Dr. Ugonabo. As soon as you wrap up your gym session, take a
quick rinse. While a full shower complete with one of the best salicylic-acid
body washes is certainly ideal, it’s sometimes not practical in the moment. If
you’re in a pinch post-sweat, give your body a rub down with a cleanser wipe. 


SWITCH UP YOUR SHOWER ROUTINE

Take a long, hard look at your shampoo and conditioner. They could be to blame
for your breakouts. As you wash your hair, the product runs down your back. If
the products aren’t formulated with acne-prone skin in mind, they could end up
clogging pores. Make sure to look for shampoos and conditioners that are free
oils and labeled non-comedogenic. 

Dr. Ugonabo also recommends adding some treatment products to your shower
routine via a body wash. “I like ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic
acid, and glycolic acid,” she adds. Products with these ingredients should help
clear up breakouts, but it won’t happen overnight. Give them a good six weeks to
start working. 


TALK TO A DERMATOLOGIST

“If you’ve tried over the counter products, but the acne isn’t improving or is
getting worse, I highly recommend seeing a board-certified dermatologist,”
advises Dr. Ugonabo. She adds that a dermatologist will A.) be able to confirm
that you are in fact dealing with back acne and not something else entirely, and
B.) write you a script for a prescription medication. In some cases, your doctor
will recommend a topical wipe or cream such as clindamycin. In others, they’ll
suggest oral antibiotics, like doxycycline. 


THE BEST PRODUCTS TO GET RID OF BODY ACNE



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Cerave’s SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin
$14 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

Dr. Ugonabo is a big fan of this wash because it’s less irritating than other
over-the-counter options. “Some other salicylic acid washes can be harsh on the
skin, but this formula from CeraVe includes ceramides, which help it make it a
gentle exfoliant and less likely to cause irritation.” 



Paula’s Choice Acne Body Spray
Check Amazon

Continuing your acne-fighting routine after you shower with this body spray.
It’s formulated with salicylic acid to help unclog pores and treat existing
breakouts. The best part? The spray makes it ideal for getting product on
hard-to-reach areas. 





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Mario Badescu AHA Body Soap
$8 at Ulta Beauty (opens in new tab)

If you’re a long-time fan of the brand’s drying lotion for pimples on your face,
you’re going to love this body wash for body acne. It’s formulated with glycolic
acid to exfoliate the skin and slough away dead cells. This one is going to be a
bit gentler than salicylic acid alternatives, making it a must for anyone with
sensitive skin. 



Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
Check Amazon

If you go to the dermatologist, this is most likely going to be one of the
products they recommend. It’s a no-frills option that contains all the goods
(read: salicylic acid) and none of the no-no ingredients (think: oils). It can
be a little drying though, so try to follow up with a moisturizer for acne-prone
skin.





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Obagi Medical Acne Cleansing Wipes
$24 at Dermstore (opens in new tab)

If you’re not a fan of showering at the gym, we beg you: Toss these towelettes
in your bag. They’re the next-best thing to an actual bath. They have salicylic
acid (sensing a theme here), as well as witch hazel to fight breakouts. Give
yourself a good wipe down and then hop in the shower at your earliest
convenience. 





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SEEN Shampoo
$29 at Dermstore (opens in new tab)

This derm-formulated shampoo was made specifically with face and body acne in
mind. Nothing on its ingredient list will contribute to breakouts (read: no
fragrance, no oils), so you can wash your hair without worry. 



Murad Acne Body Wash
Check Amazon

For a body wash that gives long-lasting results, Murad is the way to go. It’s
going to give you a deep clean in the moment, but thanks to an ingredient called
triclosan, it’s also going to kill acne-causing bacteria throughout the day. 





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ZitSticka AHA/BHA Body Exfoliator
$25 at Revolve (opens in new tab)

Looking for a little extra something-something to add to your routine? Scoop up
this super-charged body scrub. It has salicylic acid (of course), as well as
lactic and glycolic acids to get rid of all the gunk and dead cells that have
accumulated on your skin. It also features one of our all time fave ingredients,
niacinamide, to help with redness and inflammation. 




MEET THE EXPERT

Dr. Nkem Ugonabo, M.D., M.P.H.

Board Certified Dermatologist

Dr. Ugonabo is a native New Yorker who received her Bachelor of Arts in Human
Biology from Stanford University. She then worked as a management consultant at
McKinsey & Company before completing her Master of Public Health degree at
Harvard and her M.D. degree at the University of Michigan. She returned to the
New York area for her Dermatology Residency at the prestigious NYU Medical
Center where she was appointed Chief Resident in her final year. During
residency, she served on several institutional committees and was selected to
serve as Chair of the Housestaff Patient Safety & Quality Improvement Committee.
She also extensively pursued research involving the laser treatment of pigmented
lesions, patient safety, combination treatments involving filler and lasers, and
the mental health of acne patients taking Accutane. At residency graduation, she
was awarded the Dr. Irwin Freedberg award for the resident who best represents
the field of dermatology in the world of medicine. Following residency, Dr.
Ugonabo was an American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Cosmetic
Dermatologic Surgery Fellow at UnionDerm in New York City where she worked as a
sub-investigator on multiple clinical trials investigating the treatment of acne
scars, photodamage, cellulite, muscle stimulation and melasma.

Dr. Ugonabo has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals including
the Journal of American Medical Association Surgery, Journal of the American
Academy of Dermatology, Dermatologic Surgery, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology,
British Journal of Dermatology and Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. She has
presented at numerous national and local meetings including the American Academy
of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, American Society for Laser Medicine and
Surgery (ASLMS) Annual Conference, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
(ASDS) Annual Meeting and Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference.


Samantha Holender

Beauty Editor

Samantha Holender is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the
best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and keeps up with the
latest trends in the beauty space. She has previously written for Us Weekly,
Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Follow her on
Instagram @samholender. 

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