“Acne can appear anywhere there are sweat and oil glands. It occurs when sweat, oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and dirt gets trapped within a hair follicle and clog those pores. Because our back has sweat glands, acne can also occur there,” says Howard Sobel, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sobel Skin. “Some people are certainly more prone to getting acne, whether it’s genetics, diet, or lifestyle.” Even more annoying? Back acne and facial acne are often connected. “Many people who suffer from facial acne also experience breakouts on their chest and back,” notes Rebecca Marcus, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Dallas. However, it is possible for some people to experience back acne only and not get it on their face.
Back Acne Causes
The first step in treating back acne is figuring out the cause. From there, you can make the right changes and use the best products to help clear up your skin. At the end of the day, back acne is caused by some of the same things that cause facial acne, including excess sebum production and dead skin cells leading to clogged pores. Hormonal changes and the bacteria cutibacterium acnes can also cause pimples to pop up across our backs. However, there are a few common culprits that can exacerbate the issue or cause bacne on people who otherwise have clear skin. Here are the biggest offenders so you can pinpoint what’s causing your bacne and find out how to treat back acne once and for all. Sweaty workout clothes are basically a theme park for acne bacteria. “While exercising and sweating alone does not lead to more bacne, staying in dirty workout clothes can be a trigger,” says Dr. Sobel. “That’s because sweat, bacteria, and dead skin cells clog pores, which is the prime breeding ground for acne.” The Fix: Hop out of those clothes and straight into the shower as quickly as possible after your workout. If showering isn’t an option, bring body wipes and change into clean, loose-fitting clothes. Try Bliss Lemon & Sage Refreshing Body Wipes ($8; amazon.com). The Fix: Lukewarm water is much better for your skin and will not dry it out nearly as much. Also, keep your shower to less than 10 minutes if you can help it, but ideally less than five. The Fix: To curb bacne, wash your body after shampooing and conditioning to rinse away these pore-clogging ingredients. Alternatively, seek out hair care products that are specifically made to prevent body acne, such as SEEN or Vanicream. The Fix: He recommends checking if your towel is damp before hopping in the shower. If it is, grab a fresh one. Ideally, you should rotate towels daily, but if you’re keen on reusing them, make sure your towel is hanging in a bright, breezy space (aka not your bathroom) and is completely dry. You can also use towels that are built to dry faster, such as Brooklyn Bamboo’s Absorbent Antifungal Hypoallergenic Towels ($27 for 3; amazon.com). The Fix: Take a gentler approach to treating your back acne. Instead of harsh scrubs, Dr. Sobel recommends a daily moisturizer with exfoliating properties, such as AmLactin Daily Lotion ($13; amazon.com), which contains 12% lactic acid. The Fix: Wearing looser clothes and reducing how often you carry stuff on your back can help. The Fix: Aim to change your sheets and pillowcase once a week to help prevent back acne. The Fix: In addition to avoiding testosterone supplements (which are illegal unless prescribed), it’s wise to schedule a consultation with your physician to determine if hormonal imbalance is an issue, and if so, how to address it. But of course, sometimes it just winds down to unlucky genetics. As Dr. Marcus mentioned, people who are acne-prone are more likely to get bacne compared to others. It often simply boils down to how we’re made. “Genetics is definitely a factor in acne and determines how a person will respond to external stimuli that may trigger acne,” she explains. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to live with back acne forever. To treat back acne, incorporate an acne-specific body wash to your shower routine. Dr. Marcus’ favorites include Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash with Glycerin ($7; target.com) and PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide ($10; amazon.com). Gentle chemical peels can also be helpful in clearing clogged pores and removing dead skin cells. Because it can be hard to reach the affected back areas on your own, it’s best to have someone else apply the product. “When back acne persists despite having incorporated the practices above—or especially if acne is deep and cystic with the potential for scarring—it’s helpful to get a board certified dermatologist involved,” Dr. Marcus notes. “Prescription treatments such as topical or oral antibiotics, topical retinoids, or even isotretinoin may be necessary to completely clear back acne.”
