Those who have acne will know that the pesky little whiteheads, cystic spot eruptions and blackheads aren't usually contained to your face.
From bacne (acne on your back) to buttne (acne on your backside - yep, it's a thing) body spots can be pretty rubbish to deal with.
Everything You Need To Know About Treating Back Acne
What causes back acne?
We may be used to be discussing acne on our faces but on our backs is a different story. There are a range of reasons you might be suffering from the skin condition.
'Back acne is typically caused by a build up of oils and dead skin cells in and around pores. The pores can become clogged and attract bacteria which thrives. This causes leads to an inflammatory response of the skin causing pustules and bumps,' explains Dr Adwoa Danso, NHS GP Doctor.
If you do suffer from back acne, you'll have likely noticed it starting around the time your hormones kick in. 'Back acne onset predominantly starts from puberty and it tends to effect boys and men more. The main areas being upper back, lower back and shoulders,' says Dr Vanita Rattan.
Because it's linked to our hormones, some might be more prone to the condition than others. 'Individuals with oily skin or suffer with hormonal disorders like polycystic ovarian syndrome are more prone to acne,' believes Dr Danso.
How do you get rid of back acne?
As debilitating as body acne can be (we feel you), you don't have to swerve plans or cover up completely, because ELLE has enlisted one of the best dermatologists in the business to help banish the breakouts. Here's how to get rid of back acne or body acne once and for all.
How To Get Rid Of Back Acne
1. Swap Out Your Current Body Wash
That ultra-creamy, coconut-scented shower gel may feel seriously luxe, but if it doesn't contain zit-zapping ingredients such as salicylic acid (a BHA that exfoliates the skin's surface layer and unblocks pores of sebum and dead skin), glycolic acid (an AHA that dissolves the upper layer of dead skin cells to prevent spots and to blur red marks left behind by acne), and lactic acid (also an AHA with the same skin-smoothing, spot-preventing credentials as glycolic acid, just a little gentler on skin), then it might not be doing your body acne any good.
'Acids like these prevent dead skin cells from building up and blocking your pores,' explains London-based consultant dermatologist, Dr. Justine Kluk. 'And remember, cleanse your skin thoroughly in the shower every day.'
ELLE Recommends...
- Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap - £7.95 SHOP NOW
Alpha hydroxy acids in this foaming shower gel chip away at the mixture of dead skin cells and sebum responsible for spots. It's absolutely brilliant at clearing up breakouts on the back, chest, shoulders and arms and doesn't dry skin out.
For those with more sensitive skin, go for the anti-inflammatory Mario Badescu Azulene Body Soap which is formulated to soothe irritation.
- Mario Badescu Azulene Body Soap - £7.95 SHOP NOW
2. Shower Immediately After A Workout
'The bacteria responsible for causing acne thrive on sweaty skin,' explains Dr. Kluk. 'It's important to remove your gym clothes and shower as soon as possible after a workout.'
Even if you haven't had a hard core work out, cleaning off any sweat is key. 'Shower immediately after sweating. Acne isn’t related to cleanliness but we certainly know that sweat can aggravate the skin. Hair shampoos and conditioners can leave residue on your back which can clog pores and cause bacne. Take extra care when rinsing hair and gently wash the back after hair washing ' says Dr Danso.
That means no sitting on the end of your bed, scrolling through Instagram, trying to muster up the energy to jump in. We're talking ASAP, people.
ELLE recommends...
- Zitsticka Silkshake - £23 SHOP NOW
Some exfoliating washes can be too harsh and in a bid to banish any excess oils, strip the skin of all its goodness. Zitsticka's Silkshake was created to combat unwanted blemishes without compromising the skin's barrier, a possible feat thanks to a cocktail of pre, post and probiotics as well as anti-inflammatory tea tree.
3. Use A Scrub Pre-Shower
'If you get lots of under the skin spots or blackheads, using a scrub a couple of times a week in the shower may be effective,' advises Dr. Kluk. 'But, always be gentle and don’t rub your skin raw as this can increase inflammation.' Ouch.
ELLE recommends...
- Frank Body Charcoal Body Scrub & Mask - £14.95 - SHOP NOW
Hit acne with a twofold blow by slathering on a helping of this of charcoal and tea-tree oil infused scrub-and-mask. Not only does it feel super satisfying but your skin will be left visibly smoother and bump-free, helping to exfoliate away everything from ingrown hairs to lurking bacne.
- Ameliorate Skin Smoothing Body Polish - £18.00 SHOP NOW
This expert-approved scrub combines chemical exfoliators (such as lactic acid) with physical exfoliators (micro-dermabrasion granules) to deliver a double-pronged attack on the oil, dead skin and grime that can cause breakouts. Massage gently into damp skin before showering.
4. Choose The Right Body Moisturiser
You don't have to give up the moisturiser to keep breakouts at arms length - just make sure you choose the right one - that means ditching the thick creams.
'Applying a moisturiser will soothe and repair your skin barrier, but make sure that any products you leave on your skin are labelled 'non-comedogenic,' advises Dr. Kluk. 'This means that they won’t clog your pores.'
It's also important to be aware of oils. 'Some oil based products can cause acne, switching to ‘lighter’ creams is beneficial. Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid containing products are recommended treatments,' explains Dr Danso.
ELLE Recommends...
- CeraVe Moisturising Lotion - £9.50 SHOP NOW
Non-comedogenic (which means it won't clog your pores) and hypoallergenic (making it perfect for those with sensitive skin), this silky, ultra-light, fragrance-free lotion absorbs in seconds and leaves skin feeling insanely smooth and hydrated, and it's all down to a duo of cell-building ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid. We love.
- Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion - £24 SHOP NOW
A daily slathering of this dermatologist-approved lotion works wonders to banish spots on limbs, shoulders and chest thanks to the AHAs. It also blasts ingrown hairs and keratosis pilaris, AKA chicken skin - our arms have never felt smoother.
- Paula's Choice 2% BHA Body Smoothing Spot Exfoliant - £31 SHOP NOW
Lighter than your average moisturiser, this leave-on treatment from Paula's Choice has a serum-like texture and dries down quickly without leaving a residue. It contains 2% salicyclic acid which gets to work throughout the day exfoliating and decongesting pores, and you only need a small amount to do the job.
5. Use A Topical Treatment Instead Of Picking
As tempting as it may be to pretend you're Dr. Pimple Popper, try and avoid picking when it comes to body acne.
'Whatever you do, don’t pick, squeeze or scratch your spots,' says Dr. Kluk. 'This can introduce infection and lead to scarring. Instead, apply a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid gel to juicy spots.'
Picking nearly always leads to pigmentation too, which is stubborn to get rid of. 'For skin of colour the main long term issue is the pigmentation that’s left behind, this is why it’s essential for skin of colour to break the acne cycle early,' advises Dr Rattan.
You can buy benzoyl peroxide creams, such as Acnecide and Duac, over the counter. They kill bacteria that leads to acne, but do have a tendency to dry the skin out. If that puts you off...
ELLE Recommends...
- Malin + Goetz Salicylic Acid Gel - £19 SHOP NOW
This gel cools raging spots and redness without making skin feel taut, uncomfortable or turning it flaky and chalky. A dab is all you need, just be sure to wait for it to dry before pulling your clothes on.
- Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner - £30.25 SHOP NOW
Formulated with 2% Glycolic Acid, Grapefruit Extract and Aloe Gel, this cooling toner gently exfoliates, turfing sebum and dead cells out of pores to leave skin brighter and clearer.
- Kate Somerville Eradikate Blemish Mark Fading Gel - £58 SHOP NOW
For those times where picking was unavoidable (no judgement, we've all been there), Kate Somerville's Blemish Mark Fading Gel is enriched with salicylic acid and niacinamide to banish current blemishes and minimise the appearance of pigmentation marks left by old ones. Cleverly, the brand has also snuck in prebiotics to avoid an inflamed skin barrier.
6. Carry Spare Clothing
We know that excessive sweat and bacteria can lead to blocked pores, especially bacne, so, Dr. Kluk suggests carrying a spare, clean top with you if you tend to perspire more in warmer weather.
'It's also best to wash underwear, like your bra, after every wear,' she adds.
It's also worth switching up tighter clothing for a larger size too. 'Wear loose fitting clothes as you don’t want to irritate the sensitive and inflamed skin,' says Dr Rattan.
Got it.
7. Visit A Dermatologist
'If you’ve tried all of these things and are still struggling to get on top of your breakouts or are aware of developing scars, see a dermatologist who can advise you on prescription treatment,' advises Dr. Kluk.
Oral prescriptions are a great option and include: Spironolactone, which has anti-androgen effects to block male hormone testosterone and excessive oil production in female acne sufferers and Isotretinoin AKA Roaccutane - a vitamin A-derived oral medication, which suppresses excess oil production, kills acne bacteria and helps shed dead skin cells, preventing blocked pores.
ELLE Edit: 17 Moisturisers To Try If You Have Acne-Prone Skin
