The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
How to treat body acne: Expert product recommendations, from body wash to moisturiser
It’s a common bugbear but with the right treatments and lifestyle changes, it can clear up
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
After months of lockdown and the ongoing stress of a pandemic, it's no surprise that our skin has taken a hit. Many of us have experienced an influx of stress breakouts and dryness along with maskne, a new-found skin issue after face coverings became compulsory in England.
Another condition that also affects many is body acne. It can appear all over the body but is most commonly found on the back and bum.
“Body acne is often inflammation around the hair follicles, known medically as folliculitis. This can be caused by common infections (bacterial, yeast or fungal) in the skin and is often exacerbated by lifestyle habits,” explains Dr Justine Hextall, a consultant dermatologist at La Roche-Posay.
It’s not quite as easy to identify as facial acne, however, as it can come in the form of whiteheads and blackheads too. It can also easily be mistaken for the common skin condition, keratosis pilaris, that usually causes dry, bumpy skin on the upper arms and thighs, and sometimes the buttocks.
“These red, bumpy spots can appear inflamed and are often mistaken for acne. Topical gentle exfoliating and hydrating creams that help to reduce the buildup of skin blocking the follicles can help to improve the skin texture,” she says.
If you’re concerned about spots on your body, we’ve compiled the expert-recommended products and lifestyle swaps to make that can help keep your skin clear, smooth and hydrated in a few short steps.
You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.
Lifestyle changes
Pamela Marshall, aesthetician and co-founder of Mortar & Milk, says that when she treats a client for body acne, the first thing her team of experts look at is their habits, as more often than not, the condition is down to lifestyle.
According to Marshall, some of the small changes you can make to prevent or reduce body acne include; regularly changing bed sheets, buying new pillows, and never wearing the same gym clothes twice without washing them.
“Even little things, like in the summer wearing a rucksack which can cause sweating through the clothes, and then not washing your back properly afterwards can exacerbate acne,” she says.
Hextall says spots tend to flare up when sitting around in wet swimming gear or sweaty gym kit and persistent friction from running, as common skin bugs such as yeasts and bacteria, thrive in warm, damp environments.
"Wearing sweaty synthetic gym gear is probably the worst habit for exacerbating the skin, so use fresh cotton clothes and always have a post-gym shower,” she says, adding, “If the problem persists see a skin specialist who can prescribe topical treatment that will reduce infection and reduce folliculitis and inflammation.”
Marshall also told The Independent that butt cheek acne can occur due to hair conditioner falling on the area as you shower. As it is formulated to stick to the hair follicle rather than your body, a build up can lead to spots on the skin.
“Preferably, you should wash your body when the conditioner is rinsed out. It's also important not to use too many hair products with essential oils, coconut oil, castor oil etc in them.”
Products that can help
Aside from the easy lifestyle changes you can make to keep body acne at bay, a few additions to your shower routine that can make a real difference.
Marshall cites her hero product as Clinisept (Face the Future, £14.99), and antibacterial, antiviral, anti-sporous and anti-fungal spritz.
“It can be used post-shower on both the face and back, but also it can be used to spray the face and body after a workout, especially if you can't get to a shower right away,” she says.
Hextall recommends La Roche-Posay effaclar micro-peeling gel wash (Boots, £14.50).
“It’s hydrating but also contains two per cent salicylic acid to help unblock pores and is ideal in this situation.”
The foaming gel texture removes excess sebum which clogs pores and can lead to breakouts.
Dr Rachel Abbott, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, advises avoiding applying oils to affected skin – including essential oils – and steering clear of greasy emollients and moisturisers.
Instead, she recommends using a fragrance-free body wash or soap.
We love this Sanex dermo hypo allergenic sensitive skin shower gel (Boots, £3), for skin that is particularly prone to irritation.
The large 500ml bottle means you won’t run out of it anytime soon, and it won't exacerbate any existing breakouts.
It can be difficult to reach areas on your back, which is why we're glad to have found this Murad clarifying body spray (lookfantastic, £35). The bottle has a 360 degrees spray function, so it still spritzes effectively when held upside down.
It contains salicylic acid to penetrate pores and unclog them, which will reduce acne blemishes while also preventing future spots too.
To improve rough, bumpy or dry textured skin, once you've dried off after your shower, apply this CeraVe SA smoothing moisturiser, (Superdrug, £17.99). It's fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t block pores or cause breakouts.
Formulated with ceramides to protect the skin barrier, hyaluronic acid to hydrate and salicylic acid to exfoliate, it’s a cream that does it all.
Keep it in your drawer to hand at all times for a fast-absorbing moisture boost.
For more skincare advice, read our step by step guide on treating acne, our skincare ingredient glossary and the best foundations for acne skin