How to Treat Body Acne (Back, Chest, and Beyond)
By Sarina Rubin
June 11, 2025
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Facial acne tends to get all the attention—but body acne is just as real, just as frustrating, and just as treatable. Whether you're dealing with bacne, breakouts on your chest, or spots along your shoulders or butt, know this: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to settle.
Body acne may look different than facial acne, but it's driven by many of the same factors: clogged pores, oil, sweat, friction, and sometimes the wrong products.
Here’s everything you need to know to finally get your body breakouts under control.
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What Causes Body Acne?
Body acne forms when hair follicles get clogged with oil, dead skin cells, sweat, and bacteria. Add heat, friction, or occlusive products—and boom: breakouts.
Common triggers:
- Sweaty clothes or workout gear that traps bacteria
- Not showering soon after sweating
- Occlusive haircare or body products
- Comedogenic ingredients in lotions, sunscreen, or body wash
- Friction from tight clothing or backpacks
Good to know: Body acne tends to show up in areas with high oil production and lots of friction—like your back, chest, shoulders, butt, and sometimes neck.
Is It Actually Body Acne—or Something Else?
Not all bumps are acne. Some similar-looking conditions include:
- Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis): Tiny, itchy, uniform bumps—usually on the back or chest
- Keratosis pilaris: Rough patches on the backs of arms or thighs (not breakouts)
- Heat rash or clogged sweat ducts: Small red bumps from sweating or heat
If you're unsure, see a derm for a proper diagnosis—especially if treatments aren't helping.
How to Treat Body Acne (Effectively and Gently)
1. Switch to an Acne-Safe Body Wash
Start with a body cleanser that contains proven actives to fight body breakouts.
✅ Look for:
- 2% salicylic acid – unclogs pores and dissolves oil
- Benzoyl peroxide (5-10%) – kills acne-causing bacteria
- Sulfur – helps reduce inflammation and draw out oil
Apply, let it sit for 1–2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
🚫 Avoid:
- Harsh scrubs or loofahs (they spread bacteria and irritate skin)
- Body washes with fragrance or coconut oil
2. Shower Immediately After Sweating
Sweat, heat, and friction create a perfect storm for breakouts. Showering right after a workout can make a huge difference.
- Use lukewarm water
- Focus on areas like your back, chest, and shoulders
- Wear breathable, loose-fitting clothes as often as possible
No time to shower? Use acne-safe body wipes or at least change clothes ASAP.
3. Use a Spot Treatment (When Needed)
For active breakouts, spot treatments can help reduce swelling and speed healing.
✅ Try:
- Sulfur – great for whiteheads and pustules
- Benzoyl peroxide – especially effective for red, inflamed bumps
- Hydrocolloid patches – yes, they make body-sized ones now!
Apply to clean, dry skin before bed and follow up with a non-comedogenic body moisturizer.
4. Be Careful With Hair and Body Products
Many conditioners, hair masks, and body lotions contain pore-clogging ingredients—especially on the back and chest, where rinse-off residue often lingers.
Watch out for:
- Coconut oil
- Isopropyl myristate
- Silicones and waxes
- Heavy shea or cocoa butter
✅ Use acne-safe hair and body products—especially if you’re breakout-prone.
Pro tip: Wash and clip up your hair before body cleansing so nothing heavy sits on your back.
5. Exfoliate Smartly (Not Harshly)
Exfoliation can help clear body acne—but only when done right.
✅ Try:
- Chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid or lactic acid
-
Body lotions with urea or PHA
🚫 Skip:
- Gritty scrubs or harsh brushes
- Over-exfoliating (2-3x/week max is plenty)
6. Support Your Skin from Within
Body acne often flares with certain lifestyle factors—so take a holistic approach:
- Eat a balanced diet (consider reducing sugar and dairy if they’re triggers for you)
- Manage stress (high cortisol = more oil production)
- Get enough sleep (hormones matter!)
How Long Does It Take to Clear Body Acne?
With consistent treatment, you can usually start to see improvement in 4–6 weeks. That said, deeper cystic acne or post-acne marks on the body may take longer to fade.
Stick with a simple, acne-safe routine—and don’t forget to moisturize. Dehydrated skin is more prone to breakouts and irritation.
Final Thoughts: Treat Body Acne with Care, Not Harshness
Whether it’s on your back, chest, shoulders, or elsewhere, body acne is treatable. With the right products, consistent habits, and barrier-friendly support, you can clear breakouts, prevent new ones, and feel more confident in your skin—head to toe.