What Causes Back Acne? Plus, How to Prevent It

August 31, 2023
Reece Andavolgyi
By: Reece Andavolgyi | skincare.com by L'Oréal
person posing in a mirror touching their decellotage

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. 

The Best Skincare Products for Back Acne

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser BPO 10%

This foaming cleanser contains benzoyl peroxide and can be used on the face or body to target acne. Hassanali recommends using a cleanser like this on the body three times a week. Apply it to the skin, leave it on for three to five minutes to give the actives a chance to work and rinse. “With any acne treatment, you should give it about six weeks to see how your regimen is working,” she adds.

Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid

If you’re dealing with painful, cystic back or chest acne, a spot treatment may be helpful to reduce swelling and inflammation. This one goes on like an invisible pimple patch to visibly reduce pimple marks, size and color. It contains bacteria-fighting salicylic acid to clear acne and soothing niacinamide to balance oils. 

Truly Beauty Cherry Jelly Anti-Bacne Body Cleanser 

Formulated to specifically reduce the appearance of body acne, this cherry-scented cleanser contains a blend of beta-hydroxy acids, niacinamide and allantoin to improve the appearances of blemishes while soothing redness and irritation.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Topical Retinoid For Acne

Dr. King and Hassanali praise adapalene as an effective topical treatment for body acne. With a 0.1% formulation, this drugstore treatment contains retinoid, no prescription required. Apply a thin layer to the affected area of skin daily after cleansing. Follow up with the La Roche Posay Lipikar Body Lotion For Normal To Dry Skin, a non-comedogenic body lotion to replenish the skin’s essential lipids and hydration.

Soft Services Clearing Mist Medicated Breakout Tonic 

Enter this easy-to-use body spray that contains niacinamide and salicylic acid to treat body breakouts exacerbated by workouts, tight clothing and bacteria. Toss it in your gym bag, and spritz it onto the affected areas of your body after showering.

Vichy Normaderm S.O.S Acne Rescue Spot Corrector

This spot treatment contains sulfur, glycolic acid and niacinamide to dry up active blemishes. Apply a thin layer to your blemishes at night to reduce their size and severity while you sleep, and minimize future acne breakouts.

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Clay Mask

Body masking can be very effective at detoxifying the skin and unclogging pores. This Kiehl’s best seller contains Amazonian white clay that helps to draw out bacteria and reduces excess oils. Use it three times a week on the affected areas of skin.

Isle of Paradise Confidently Clear Body Moisturizer

Acne-fighting body care products don’t have to be boring. Housed in a bright pink bottle, this sweet-scented body lotion is packed with lactic, polyglutamic, mandelic and hyaluronic acids to help you achieve smooth, bump-free and hydrated skin.

Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser

If you’re looking to add a luxe addition to your shower routine, this body gel banishes grime and sweat after a busy day to keep the skin clean and refreshed. The grassy, citrus aroma prioritizes relaxation and makes for the ultimate body care treat.

SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel 

This exfoliating gel cleanser smooths skin, decongests pores and brightens thanks to a mix of lipo-hydroxy acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid. It’s helpful at reducing breakouts and refining skin tone, but also includes glycerin so you don’t have to worry about dry, tight skin after using it.

Rosen Skincare Electric Body Serum

Formulated specifically for the body, this exfoliating serum is infused with lactic acid and apple cider vinegar to prevent breakouts, fade acne scars and promote smoother skin. The lightweight, quick-to-absorb formula is effective without feeling sticky or greasy on the skin. 

Necessaire The Acne Body Wash 

This medicated shower gel is infused with acne-fighting salicylic acid and niacinamide to prevent acne and fade post-blemish dark spots. Plus, the sleek aluminum bottle looks good in your shower, and it’s recyclable.

selfmade True Grit Resilience Scrub

Reach for this gentle body scrub that contains bamboo grit and fruit acids to remove dead skin cells, buff away buildup that can lead clog pores and control excess sebum. Use it on the body or scalp for light exfoliation and follow up with the selfmade Corrective Experience Comfort Cream to calm the skin and boost hydration.
(Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn )

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