Getting rid of back acne, as well as bacne scars is going to be a lot easier with the right body care products we have rounded up for you! In this article, we’ve collected the best body acne products for dealing with back acne, including acne body washes, scrubs, sprays, and lotions.
1. Paula’s Choice Resist Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA
Salicylic acid is an ingredient with a proven track record for treating acne, and back acne is absolutely included in that. It works by exfoliating the skin and dislodging those dead skin cells that clog up the pores. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect that brings down the redness and swelling that comes with infected pimples.
This formula is made especially for the body, so it spreads easily, and can also help smooth skin that is bumpy from razor bumps or keratosis pilaris. It contains a variety of soothing extracts and skin-restoring antioxidants to get the skin in great shape. Buy it from Nordstrom!
2. Murad Clarifying Body Spray
This wonderful spray is very easy to apply to the back, since it has a nozzle that’ll work from any angle to spray a fine mist of product. It is also based on salicylic acid, although at a lower percentage that might help you avoid irritation. The salicylic acid is boosted by niacinamide, which is able to somewhat control oil production. It is fragrance-free and it also contains skin-soothers like allantoin and butylene glycol. It contains alcohol and it might be a little drying as a result, so make sure to also moisturize regularly. Get it at Ulta!
3. Glytone Acne Treatment Spray – Back and Chest
This is a powerful spray treatment to counter bacne, with a similar 360-degree spray nozzle. It contains 2% salicylic acid, which is essentially maximum strength, to slough away dead skin cells and to unclog the pores on the back and chest. It also contains benzalkonium chloride, which is an antibacterial agent. It is totally fragrance-free, though it might be a little drying, so follow it up with a moisturizer. Order it online from Dermstore!
4. Murad Acne Body Wash
This body wash is actually more of a scrub, but we won’t hold the misnomer against it. The fact of the matter is that it is a great product for treating and preventing non-inflammatory body acne. It contains date seed power, which physically dislodges impurities and dead skin, as well as a blend of salicylic and glycolic acids to promote the natural dissolution of sebum. Since it is sulfate-free it won’t dry out your skin, so leave it on for a couple of minutes to get the full benefits of the ingredients in it. It is available at Sephora.
5. Jan Marini Benzoyl Peroxide 10 Percent
Benzoyl peroxide is considered one of the most effective over-the-counter medications for fighting acne, and it seems to be especially effective for getting rid of back acne. It can work well in cleansers, but we think it’s much better when it can stay on the skin and do its job. This formula is concentrated, with 10% BPO, but if your bacne is not severe you can dilute it in your moisturizer right before application. Be aware that benzoyl peroxide can bleach clothes, towels, and sheets. Pick it up from Dermstore!
6. Lancer The Method: Body Nourish
Though this body cream is marketed as an anti-aging product, we think it’ll also be a fabulous choice for treating back acne. It is powered by 10% glycolic acid, which is the strongest amount of AHA you can buy over the counter. It helps to dislodge dead skin to quickly get rid of breakouts as well as to prevent them later on. It will also do a wonderful job of clearing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and fading scars. The formula as a whole is light and moisturizing but free of acne-causing ingredients. Purchase it from Sephora!
7. Lord Jones High CBD Formula Body Lotion
If you’re dealing with cystic body acne, this cream is worth trying. Cystic back acne takes a long time to clear up, and until it does it can really hurt. This light body lotion is made with CBD and menthyl ethylamido oxalate, which work together to penetrate into the skin and alleviate pain and inflammation. The formula is light and contains non-comedogenic hemp and MCT oils. You can buy it at Sephora.
8. PCA Skin Men Total Wash Face and Body Cleanser
Don’t get dissuaded by the “for men” marketing – because this cleanser is formulated for both face and body you can be certain that it will be gentle enough to treat your inflamed back acne. It will keep the skin clear of excess oil and pore-clogging impurities without drying it out or irritating it. It contains tea tree oil, which has antibacterial benefits, but it keeps the skin soft with glycerin and lactic acid. It’ll perfectly prepare your skin for post-shower treatments. You can get it from Dermstore.
9. Briogeo B. Well Organic + Australian 100% Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an all-natural back acne treatment that potentially works just as well as benzoyl peroxide but without the bleaching issue. This potent essential oil inhibits the acne bacteria and over time it helps blemishes heal. This bottle is only 1oz, but that’s okay since you don’t want to use tea tree oil on its own – it’s too potent and may irritate the skin. Instead, you can add a drop to your moisturizer right before you rub it on your skin. Find it at Nordstrom!
10. Peter Thomas Roth Acne Face & Body Scrub
Since this scrub is made with jojoba beads, it is gentle enough to use on the face and you can probably also give it a try over your body acne even when it is slightly inflamed (but not if you have any pustules that are ready to burst). It is made with 1% salicylic acid and just a touch of glycolic acid, so you will benefit if you let it sit on your skin for a couple of minutes before rinsing it off. You can expect results as long as you use it a few times a week but without overdoing it. Buy it at Sephora!
11. Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash
This is another salicylic acid scrub you can try for preventing bacne. It is made with 2% salicylic acid and mildly abrasive jojoba beads. This back acne treatment is sulfate-free so it won’t leave your skin feeling stripped of moisture, and even contains green tea extract to keep it soothed. It also has a touch of menthol, so you can expect a cooling effect after using it. Order it from Ulta!
12. Dermadoctor KP Duty High Potency Daily Body Peel
Though it is intended for treating keratosis pilaris, we know that this body peel will also have wonderful effects on chest and back acne. It is a two-step bacne treatment you can use 3-4 times a week to get clearer skin that is still moisturized. The first towelette is saturated with a powerful acid blend that includes salicylic, glycolic, lactic, phytic and lactobionic acids to give a very thorough exfoliation, while the second one is saturated with a non-comedogenic essence that will calm down irritation and load your skin up with moisture to make it more resistant to damage. It is sold at Sephora.
13. Glo Skin Beauty Clear Skin Body Spray
These sprays are like anti-acne toners for the body, which is why we’re so obsessed with them. This is another choice you might wanna pick up, which is similar to the Murad spray in its gentle 0.5 percent salicylic acid content. However, this formula also differs in that it has a prominent minty aroma. The combination of spearmint oil and menthol in here has a cooling effect that can momentarily alleviate the pain associated with cystic back acne. Find it through Dermstore!
14. Differin Daily Deep Cleanser BPO 5%
Benzoyl peroxide contact therapy with a cleanser can be a great way of treating body acne without dealing with all of your clothes getting bleached. Even just a few minutes of contact with your skin are enough for the benzoyl peroxide to kill bacteria, calm inflammation and help unclog pores. This cleanser is sulfate-free and non-drying, so you can use it on your face as well. Pick it up at Ulta!
15. SkinCeuticals Body Retexturing Treatment
This hydrating gel is made to resurface the skin and give it a smoother texture. It is made with urea, which is a very gentle and moisturizing ingredient that has a keratolytic effect and is helpful for both keratosis pilaris and back acne. It also contains niacinamide, which is great for controlling oil production while also preventing premature aging. It contains a very small percentage of oils, so it shouldn’t clog the pores and would be fantastic to use after a salicylic acid body spray, to prevent dryness. It is available online via Dermstore.
16. Ren Clean Skincare AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum
This two-in-one body serum will exfoliate your skin while loading it up with moisture. It contains 10% AHA to dislodge dead skin cells and to brighten up post-acne pigmentation. It is non-comedogenic yet deeply hydrating, with probiotic ingredients that will fortify the microbiome. It’d be especially great woven into a routine that involves benzoyl peroxide, as it will counter the drying effects while also boosting its efficacy. Pick it up at Sephora!
17. EltaMD UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45
When you’re dealing with something as frustrating as how to get rid of back acne, other things like sun protection are probably the last thing on your mind. However, using sunscreen when you go out swimming or wear an open-back outfit is important for avoiding sunburn but also to reduce the chances of breakouts turning into dark scars.
It is even more important if you’re using photosensitizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide or glycolic acid. This spray sunscreen from EltaMD is great because it is light and non-comedogenic, but also very easy to spray over the back and other hard-to-reach areas. Order it through Dermstore!
18. Hempz Age Defying Glycolic Herbal Body Scrub
If you’re dealing with both post-back acne scarring and continuous clogged pores, then this scrub will definitely help. It contains glycolic acid to slough off the dead skin, along with vitamins C and A to promote renewal and reduce pigmentation. It is a sulfate-free formula that also contains beads for physical exfoliation. It is very lightly scented but non-drying. Find it at Ulta!
19. Paula’s Chocie Clear Acne Body Spray With 2% Salicylic Acid
Last but not least, this is one of the best back acne treatments that not only fight body acne, but also prevent new breakouts from forming. It contains 2% salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin, removing any pimples, blackheads and skin irritation, and it’s also alcohol-free in order not to overly dry your skin. It’s a non-wash formula, so you just spray it on the affected area after taking a shower and let it work its magic. Pick it up directly at Paula’s Choice!
Photos via @rumineely, Sephora, Nordstrom