The Ultimate Guide to Treating Body Acne

Acne and breakouts don’t discriminate based on age, gender, or even skin area. While facial acne tends to steal the spotlight, when we talk about dealing with spots, let’s not forget the equally frustrating issue of body acne. 

Body acne can appear in many forms, but you most likely know it as ‘bacne’, chest spots, or bum spots.  Having spots across your body can be a real confidence killer. But fear not! By understanding what causes body acne and the best ways to treat it you can start to get it under control. Applying key elements of your skincare routine to your bodycare can make a big difference to body acne…  

Simply put, body acne, also known as bacne, chest acne, or butt acne (bum spots), is essentially acne that appears on areas other than the face. Just like facial acne, it can manifest as blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, or even cysts. These breakouts commonly occur on the back, chest, shoulders, and bum – as these are areas with higher concentrations of oil glands, and can be home to hair follicles too. Body acne can be equally as stubborn and persistent as face spots, often causing discomfort and self-consciousness. But just like with face spots, there are cleansers for acne and spot treatments that can help keep them under control. 

Just like spots on your face, spots on your body are also caused by several factors…

Excess Oil Production: As with facial acne, excess oil production (sebum) can clog pores and lead to breakouts on the body. That’s why spots are more common across backs and bums, where there are more oil glands. 

Dead Skin Cells: You might not exfoliate your body as much as your face, so clogged pores from dead skin cells can be a common cause of breakouts across your body. When dead skin cells accumulate on the skin, they can mix with oil and bacteria, creating the perfect environment for acne to thrive. So if you are struggling with bum spots, investing in a good body scrub can be a good place to start. 

Sweat, Heat, and Friction: If you’re wondering what causes bum spots, sweat and friction are most likely the answer, especially if you workout a lot. Tight clothing, like your fave gym leggings and cycling shorts, might look great, but they could be the cause of your bum acne. Friction from these, or even just from being sat down all day, can irritate the hair follicles on your bum and lead to inflammation and breakouts. Sweat also plays a part in causing breakouts across the body – if it’s left on the skin for long it will cause bacteria to breed, pores to clog and breakouts to happen…

Poor Hygiene: Because of the above, showering regularly, especially after a workout, is key to keeping body acne under control. Not showering regularly or wearing sweaty workout clothes for extended periods can contribute to bacterial growth and acne development across your back, bum, chest, and other areas. So just like a post-gym hair routine is important, so is a good bodycare routine.

Now you understand some of the causes of body acne, it’s time to learn about some easy ways to manage it. As you might have guessed, treating body spots is quite similar to treating spots on your face, and really all comes down to keeping the skin clean and using the right ingredients.

If you struggle with bacne and bum spots, don’t just rely on your regular shower gel, instead follow with a body cleanser, specifically designed to treat spots. Look for gentle, non-comedogenic body washes to cleanse acne-prone areas – they should use ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree, they’ll help unclog pores and fight acne-causing bacteria without over-drying the skin.

We love the Zitsticka SILKSHAKE Body Cleanser – it deeply cleans skin without drying you out thanks to the presence of glycerin. So you can work towards clearing your body acne breakouts and having soft skin. 

You can also try incorporating the Acnemy Zitbody Purifying Body Wash into your shower routine. It’s packed with acne-banishing ingredients like salicylic acid, perfect for helping control breakouts. 

As well as using specialist cleansers, exfoliating your body like you would your face is key to reducing bum and back spots because body acne can be caused by blocked pores and follicles. Exfoliating regularly can help remove dead skin cells and prevent pore blockages, meaning fewer spots. Opt for a gentle exfoliating scrub or body brush, and use it two to three times per week to keep your skin smooth and clear.

For in-shower body scrubs opt for the Glow Hub So Deep AHA Body Scrub or the Zitsticka FIZZ FOUNTAIN, they both utilise exfoliating ingredients to clear and soothe your skin. Perfect for treating bum, back, or chest outbreaks. 

Finding a good on-the-go exfoliant can make such a difference when looking to treat body acne. Because sweat and heat from being in the same clothes all day can lead to spots, having an option to use without needing to jump in the shower when you are out and about can really help control breakouts. Our go-to for this is the Dermalogica Clear Start Clarifying Body Spray. Keep it in your bag or gym bag, and spray it on your problem areas when you need it. It’s especially great as you can easily reach the top of your back and other hard-to-reach areas with it!

For stubborn breakouts, use spot treatments containing ingredients like hydrocolloids or tea tree oil to target individual pimples and reduce inflammation. We know you probably don’t want to get spot creams all over your clothes if trying to treat bum spots, so look for patch treatments instead. Spot stickers like the Hero Mighty Patch Surface ones are ideal for treating back acne and breakouts all over your body. Just leave them on under your clothes and let them work their magic. 

As well as adding new products into your routine there are some other changes you can make to help control body breakouts. Showering regularly is one, but if you are struggling with frequent breakouts try avoiding tight clothing too. Tight-fitting clothing can trap sweat and bacteria against the skin, leading to breakouts. Opt for loose, breathable fabrics like cotton, and avoid wearing tight bras or gym wear for long periods. 

Remember, consistency is key when it comes to treating body acne, look after your body like you would your face with a good acne skincare routine and you should see results! By using products with breakout-banishing ingredients and ensuring your skin can breathe and is clean, body acne breakouts should reduce over time.