What Causes Back Acne? Plus, How to Prevent It

When it comes to pesky skin concerns, acne is right up there at the top of the list. And if dealing with acne on your face isn’t difficult enough, it can also make an appearance on your back, shoulders and chest. Back acne and body breakouts are often uncomfortable, difficult to manage and they can even influence your clothing choices. It’s a pain to deal with (literally), but back acne is a pretty common skin concern, and many teens and adults experience it. 

If you know anything about dealing with the acne on your face, the good news is that you can use those tips to address the acne on your back and body. Keep reading to learn more about back acne, including what causes it, expert tips for preventing it and the best types of skincare products you can use to manage and prevent it. 

What Is Back Acne?

Back acne, also called “bacne,” refers to any type of acne that develops on your back. “Body acne is common and more than half of people with facial acne [also] have some body acne,” says Dr. Hadley King, a New York-based board certified dermatologist. “It most often affects the back, shoulders, chest, neck, upper arms and sometimes the buttocks.” Similar to acne on the face, body acne can manifest as blackheads, whiteheads, cystic acne or bumps. 

What Causes Back Acne?

“The main causes of body acne are genetics and hormones,” Dr. King shares. “Stress and diet can play a part here as well.” She also says that foods with a high glycemic index and dairy products can increase acne on the body. “Comedogenic topical products and occlusive clothing — especially over sweaty or oily skin — can also contribute to body acne,” Dr. King continues. “For example, a tight athletic bra after a sweaty workout can increase [the likelihood of] body acne.”

“When you have acne on your body, but not on your face, it’s often caused by waiting too long to shower after working out,” adds Dr. Lisa Ginn, a board-certified dermatologist.

Types Of Back Acne

Blackheads

Blackheads are also known as clogged pores, and they are categorized as open bumps on the skin that are filled with dirt, dead skin cells and oils, per the Cleveland Clinic. They are not limited to just the skin on your face. “Like face acne, back and chest acne is also the result of acne causing bacteria on the skin and increased oil production,” says Rashida Hassanali, PA-C at Schweiger Dermatology Group. 

Cysts

Cystic acne (aka the pesky hormonal acne that pops up on your chin) forms as bumps deep below the skin’s surface. This is a more severe form of acne because cysts can be painful and are more likely to cause scarring. Consult with your dermatologist if this is the type of body acne you experience because they can prescribe medicine or topical treatments that can help.

Red bumps

Red bumps) are a form of acne that appear as tiny, inflamed bumps under the skin. They don’t have a head like a typical pimple, and contribute to a sandpaper-like texture on the skin. 

Whiteheads

Whiteheads are closed acne bumps that appear white or yellow in color. They often appear with increased sebum production or an increased presence of bacteria, per the Cleveland Clinic. If you deal with whiteheads, it may be helpful to see your dermatologist for extractions. 

How to Treat Back Acne

“There are three must-have ingredients when treating [back] acne: salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid), benzoyl peroxide and retinoids,” says Hassanali. These ingredients help to exfoliate the skin, killing acne-causing bacteria to target and prevent acne. 

Hassanali recommends showering soon after a workout and opting for moisture-wicking workout clothing. “I recommend patients pick up a [salicylic acid] or [benzoyl peroxide] wash and use it in the shower,” she says. “Apply [the cleanser] to the affected areas for three to five minutes before rinsing off to give the actives a chance to work.” 

After you’ve showered, use non-comedogenic skincare products, and remember not to pick or pop the acne. “Topical prescription retinoids like tretinoin or over-the-counter options like adapalene are also fantastic,” she adds. If you opt for one of these, skip the salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide body wash because a combination of the ingredients can be very harsh and drying on the skin. 

Dr. Ginn likes to use topical products formulated with sulfur to address back acne. She also commends salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, but adds, “benzoyl peroxide can stain your clothes, so be careful.” 

How to Prevent Back Acne

“The enzymes from your sweat sit on the skin and can cause breakouts,” Dr. Ginn explains. “I tell my patients to at least rinse off, get water on your body within ten minutes after exercise.” Cleansing the skin with an acne body wash immediately after a workout can help remove blemish-causing impurities and reduce the chances of future breakouts on the chest and back. If you don’t have time for a shower, there are also post-workout body wipes you can use, like the Megababe Cucumber Mint Shower Sheets, which are perfect for cleansing the skin of sweat and bacteria on-the-go. 

The way you treat back acne is tied into the way you prevent it. Topical treatments like retinoids, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide not only help to treat acne but prevent it because they kill acne-causing bacteria. We recommend the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash BPO 10%; it has the highest concentration of benzoyl peroxide available without a prescription, and it can be used on the face and body. 

Remember to always consult with your dermatologist before adding a new product or ingredient to your routine. If back acne is something you constantly struggle with, they can help to create a skin regimen and possibly prescribe treatments, like tretinoin or medicated body washes, that can help.