9 best body acne treatments to get rid of breakouts on your back
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I used to think breakouts on your forehead were the absolute worst — that is, until my upper back became riddled with small sebaceous and painful, deep-cystic bumps. The main difference between the acne on your face and bacne is the inflammation that occurs around the tiny hair follicles caused by sweat, bacteria and dead skin cells. Better known as folliculitis, this can happen anywhere on your body where there is hair — which is why you can get acne breakouts on your neck, arms, legs and even butt and private parts (hey, it happens).
But regardless of where your zits and pimples pop up, there's no debate that this type of acne is often trickier to target than facial breakouts. That could be because we don't give our body care routine the same kind of attention as our nighttime and morning facial regimen. But luckily, it's never too late to start, and the approach to dealing with pimples and zits on your body is pretty much the same: all you need is the right acne-fighting ingredients such as glycolic and oil-dissolving salicylic acid.
Below, I've rounded up the best solutions for body acne. From luxury fan-favourites to proven drug-store sell-outs, scroll through and shop through the best acne treatments for your back, neck, arms and more.
Rodan + Fields Micro-Dermabrasion Paste
Formulate with vitamin E, vitamin C and bisabolol, this bestselling head-to-toe sugar and salt scrub exfoliates dull, dead cells for smoother, more vibrant looking skin.
SHOP IT: Rodan + Fields, $96
Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash
Made to leave your skin feeling fresh and clean without over-drying, this fan-favourite body wash targets body blemishes and breakouts by penetrating clogged pores with salicylic acid.
SHOP IT: Amazon, $7 (originally $8)
ALSO SEE: Mindy Kaling says this $17 face mask 'really works' for her oily skin
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Exfoliating Body Treatment Peel
An all-over body exfoliating treatment that visibly improves the look of ingrown hairs, keratosis pilaris, uneven skin tone, and helps reduce the appearance of blemishes. It does wonder for bacne, but it also gives the complexion a firmer and more youthful complexion.
SHOP IT: Sephora, $76
CeraVe Salicylic Acid Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin
Made by dermatologists, this ultra-lightweight body moisturizer works to exfoliate and smoothes extremely dry and bumpy skin while helping to restore the skin's protective barrier. Not only does it melt instantly into the skin, but it's made with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to provide all-day hydration.
SHOP IT: Shoppers Drug Mart, $15 (originally $18)
Versed Back-Up Plan Acne Control Body Mist
Breakouts on your back that you can't reach? Hey, it happens. For that, we have this convenient body mist to target stubborn pimples. Made with a potent cocktail yet gentle cocktail of 2% salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and witch hazel, this formula works to fight bacteria, control excess oil, relieve inflammation and redness.
SHOP IT: Revolve, $19
Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA
Perfect for clogged pores on legs, arms and the rest of your body, this leave-on exfoliating treatment is formulated with 2% salicylic acid to diminish dead skin cells and reveal a brighter complexion and firmer skin.
SHOP IT: Paula's Choice, $28
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA
Reveal healthy, clear skin with this bump-diminishing body scrub. Glycolic and lactic acid exfoliate to help skin appear bright, while the sensitive-skin approved buffing beads exfoliate particles to remove dead cells.
SHOP IT: Sephora, $36
Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap
Ideal for neck and shoulder acne, this affordable solution is enriched with fruit extracts to exfoliate and cleanse the skin. Papaya and grapefruit extracts help break down dead skin cells, while ginseng extract rejuvenates the skin.
SHOP IT: Amazon, $10
Skinfix Resurface+ Glycolic and Lactic Acid Renewing Body Scrub
A double-duty body peeling scrub powered with glycolic and lactic acids to visibly polish, refine, brighten, and smooth bumpy skin with roughness and cystic acne.
SHOP IT: Sephora, $40
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