Are body blemishes bothering you? We’ve got your back with tips & skincare picks to help clear things up
What is back acne?
Acne can affect different areas of the body, not just your face. While breakouts most commonly show up across the T-zone and cheeks, spots can also appear on your chest, shoulders and your back. In fact, back acne (or bacne, as it’s often called) affects more than half of people who experience acne. While it’s common, that doesn’t make it any less frustrating.
Back acne symptoms can include blackheads, whiteheads, painful red spots or even deep cysts. Like facial acne, it’s caused by pores getting blocked by excess oil (sebum) mixed with dead skin cells and bacteria, but it can be trickier to manage because of where it shows up.
Acne is a very common skin condition that affects most people at some point in their lives. It can cause spots and sometimes skin that feels sore or hot to the touch. While the face is most often affected, back acne is also extremely common and chest acne affects around 15% of people with acne.
Whether you’re dealing with the occasional breakout or something more persistent, we’re here to help. Keep reading for expert-approved advice, information on what might be causing flare-ups of back acne, and bacne tips and remedies to help manage flare-ups and soothe your skin.
What causes bacne?
“Back acne is caused by the same factors as facial acne,” says Dr Sophie Shotter, aesthetic doctor and founder of Illuminate Skin Clinic. “Pores become blocked with excess oil and dead skin cells, creating the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.”
Each follicle is connected to a sebaceous gland, which produces sebum, the oily substance that keeps your skin and hair hydrated. But when these glands produce more oil than necessary (which they often do on your face, chest and back), the excess sebum can mix with dead skin cells and form a plug inside the follicle.
Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme, general medicine consultant and aesthetic physician, adds that the back has particularly high sebum levels, making it one of the most acne-prone areas on the body, along with the face and chest.
Common bacne triggers
While increased oil production is the primary cause and factors that lead to that may cause acne, certain habits or lifestyle factors can also trigger a flare-up of bacne.
These include:
- Friction – from bags, tight clothing or sports bras (known as ‘acne mechanica’)
- Hormonal changes – especially during puberty, periods, pregnancy or if you have PCOS
- Genetics – if your parents had acne, you’re more likely to develop it too
- High glycemic index diets – sugary foods can spike insulin, which may affect oil production
- Everyday stress
- Smoking
What does bacne look like?
Just like facial acne, bacne can have many different variations. You might have:
- Whiteheads and blackheads – usually milder and non-inflammatory
- Papules and pustules – red, inflamed spots
- Nodules or cysts – deeper, more painful lumps under the skin
People with mild acne tend to have only a few inflammatory spots (such as papules and pustules) and overall a small number of lesions. Moderate acne, however, causes more spots, a lot of which are inflammatory. People with severe acne have deeper and more painful lesions such as nodules and cysts, with scarring and a large number of spots overall.
How to manage bacne
Acne treatments should be tailored to the severity of the condition. For mild cases, benzoyl peroxide may be helpful, which you can get over-the-counter.
Consider: Acnecide Wash 5% w/w Gel 100g
• Size: 100g
• Contains benzoyl peroxide
• Suitable for adults & children
This daily wash-off treatment for acne and breakouts can be used on the face, back and chest. Containing 5% benzoyl peroxide, this gel wash is clinically proven to fight the bacteria that causes spots, while unblocking pores, blackheads and whiteheads.
Always read the label.
If over-the-counter products haven’t been effective in managing your symptoms, you can speak to a healthcare professional, such as a pharmacist or GP. Alternatively, you can access Boots Online Doctor Acne Treatment service*, which can provide advice and treatment, if deemed clinically appropriate.
While acne requires specific products to help treat it (most of which are medicines), experts agree there are several simple steps that can be taken to help keep acne-prone skin in good condition.
1. Upgrade your body wash
“Start by swapping your body wash for something containing either salicylic acid or AHAs like glycolic or lactic acid,” says Dr Shotter. “These ingredients will help exfoliate the skin and help wash away excess sebum.”
2. Always shower after exercise
“If you’re a regular gym-goer, always make sure you shower promptly after a workout,” says Dr Shotter. While sweat doesn’t cause acne, it can mix with bacteria and dead skin cells to clog pores. “It’s a good idea to wear loose-fitting clothing during exercise and to always remove sweaty clothing straight after a workout,” adds Dr Ejikeme.
3. Go for non-comedogenic moisturiser
“Don’t use a comedogenic body moisturiser post-cleanse and exfoliation,” says Dr Shotter. These formulations may contain ingredients that are more likely to clog pores. Rather, go for lightweight, fragrance-free products.
4. Consider an in-clinic treatment
“There are also excellent in-clinic options that can complement good home care,” points out Dr Shotter, “Such as body peels, which can give excellent results for some people.”
Here are our skincare product picks suitable for bacne-prone skin to help keep your back looking good all summer long…
We’ve put together some tried-and-tested products featuring back acne-friendly ingredients.
Try: Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Back & Body Spray
• Size: 150ml
• Dermatologically tested
• Vegan formula**
Dealing with back or body breakouts? This non-greasy spray, packed with refreshing tea tree oil and calming witch hazel, keeps skin looking clear. The easy spray format makes it ideal for those hard-to-reach areas. A great everyday option to support clearer-looking skin on the go.
Try: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Face and Body Cleansing Gel
• Size: 400ml
• Formulated for persistent imperfections & blemishes
• Tested on oily, acne-prone skin
This foaming formula, enriched with salicylic acid, zinc and La Roche-Posay’s thermal spring water, lifts impurities from the skin, unclogs pores and removes excess sebum for smoother-looking skin. It works to exfoliate dead skin cells and support cell turnover, ideal for tackling breakouts on the back, chest and shoulders. The soap-free, lightly-foaming texture leaves skin feeling fresh, clean and comfortable.
Try: The INKEY List™ Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick
• Size: 45g
• Multi-use stick
• Can be used as part of an AM & PM routine
If you want a fuss-free way to exfoliate, this clever body stick from The INKEY List™ contains glycolic acid (AHA) to help slough away dulling dead skin cells and smooth bumpy skin, while helping to unclog oily pores on acne-prone skin. Nourishing shea butter instantly softens skin, and as for the application? There’s no need to rinse – just glide and go!
Try: NATURIUM The Perfector Salicylic Acid Body Wash
• Size: 500ml
• Developed for all skin types
• Gentle enough for daily use
• Can also be used as a facial cleanser
Help clear clogged pores with this exfoliating body wash, formulated with salicylic acid to smooth, soften and renew for more even-looking skin. To really reap the benefits, lather into the skin and leave it on for a few minutes.
Try: Hero Mighty Patch Surface Spot Patches, 10 Hydrocolloid Acne Patches
• Size: 10 patches
• Suitable for sensitive skin
Sick of picking at your bacne? Reach for these XL hydrocolloid patches that are ideal for body breakouts. Clocking in at over two inches in size, they get to work in six to eight hours, absorbing pus all while helping to conceal the appearance of spots.
Try: Frank Body Niacinamide Body Scrub
• Size: 250g
• Sweet berry fragrance
• Tackles environmental cases of breakouts & dryness
Buff away dead skin cells with this skin-loving scrub. The whipped formula is bursting with rich antioxidants and niacinamide to help plump, even and smooth skin. Simply step in the shower and massage it into your skin, giving extra love to the areas that need it most, then rinse off.
Try: Carbon Theory Body Bar
• Size: 100g
• Gentle enough for daily use
Keep skin looking clear and healthy with this body bar, containing natural ingredients dermatologically proven to prevent and clear breakouts on your shoulders and back. Vitamin E beads gently exfoliate, while charcoal draws out bacteria and excess oil.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get rid of bacne?
While bacne can’t be cured completely, it is possible to manage it. To help look after your skin, use products that are suitable for acne-prone skin. You can use a body wash with ingredients like salicylic acid that can help unclog pores. Showering after exercise, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and avoiding pore-clogging moisturisers can also make a difference.
What is the cause of bacne?
Bacne happens when pores become blocked with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. Hormonal changes, sweat and friction from clothing can all be triggers for flare-ups.
Should you shower every day if you have bacne?
Yes – especially after sweating. Daily showering can help to remove excess oil, bacteria and dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
How do I get rid of pimple marks on my back?
To help fade marks, look for products with ingredients like AHAs (such as glycolic acid), niacinamide or retinoids. These can support skin renewal and even out tone over time. Consistency is key and always use sunscreen if your back is exposed.
Found this helpful? Learn more about the causes and treatment options available for acne on our Health Hub.
