How to Treat Back Acne

The most common areas where individuals struggle with acne are the face and neck, but if you begin to notice troublesome breakouts or blemishes on your back or other parts of your body, rest assured that you're not alone.

Acne that appears on the back is sometimes called "bacne." There are various reasons why acne may develop on different body parts, not limited to your face, including factors such as genetics, hormone fluctuations, or spending extended periods in the sun while wearing tight-fitting clothing.

In this blog, we'll walk through how to get rid of back acne and the common reasons you may struggle with breakouts in other parts of your body.

Here's everything you need to know:

Different Types of Back Acne

It may surprise you that the acne on your back is very similar to the acne on your face. This is because your back has the same hair follicles, oil, dead skin cells, and sebaceous glands. 

Common acne you may find on your back includes:

● Blackheads: Small, black bumps caused by clogged pores and excess oil. While it may look like a speck of dirt on your back, the dark appearance is caused by oxidation. Blackheads are typically non-inflammatory and don't cause irritation or inflammation. 

● Whiteheads: This type of acne is similar to blackheads and is also caused by excess oil on the skin's surface. However, whiteheads have a sealed opening, which means it doesn't oxidize. Whiteheads are raised white bumps and can sometimes be unnoticeable. 

● Papules: Papules are a pus-less type of acne. This acne forms on the back when a hair follicle becomes inflamed, leading to tiny, pink bumps on the skin's surface. 

● Cysts: Cysts are larger acne lesions filled with pus. These form on the back when dirt and bacteria get trapped in a hair follicle. Cystic acne can be painful to live with and sometimes requires a dermatologist. 

● Nodules: These are large, solid bumps that appear under the skin. They are typically painful to deal with and sometimes have a pus-filled center. 

● Pustules: Pustules are small, tender pimples with a pus-filled center, typically surrounded by redness, and can be painful to touch. 

Common Back Acne Causes 

If you can't figure out how to get rid of back acne, you must consider your lifestyle, habits, and environment. Here are four common back acne causes:

Excess sebum production and hair follicle blockage are the most common back acne causes. Too much sebum on the skin's surface can lead to a build-up in your pores. If left untreated, it can cause acne breakouts. 

If your family has a history of acne, you're more likely to experience breakouts on the back, face, and other parts of your body.

Whether you're pregnant or going through puberty, your body experiences many hormonal changes, which can cause acne breakouts, skin inconsistencies, and changes in skin texture.

Being in a hot and humid environment and always wearing tight shirts can lead to unwanted acne breakouts on the back. Instead, switch to loose-fitting clothes and always shower after sweating or spending a day outside. 

Acne on Other Parts of Body

Acne can occur anywhere in your body where there are sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Some other parts of your body where acne may develop include:

● Chest: Chest acne is similar to back acne and often occurs due to tight-fitted clothing, excessive sweating, or hormonal fluctuations.

● Arms or Legs: You can also get acne on your arms and legs. However, it's more uncommon than the other parts of your body. Many individuals get folliculitis after shaving their legs and mistake it for an acne breakout. Folliculitis is the inflammation of your hair follicles. It causes itchy, painful pimples and bumps.

● Buttocks: Acne on the buttocks arises through excessive sweating or tight-fitting clothes. 

How to Get Rid of Back Acne

If you're tired of dealing with acne on your back or other body parts, remember that you're not alone. Over 50 million people in the United States struggle with acne.  Here are four back acne treatments to consider:

Using oil-based body wash and skincare products can exacerbate the issue, as these products can be comedogenic and have the potential to clog your pores. Instead of opting for oil-based skincare, consider using products with lightweight, hydrating ingredients. Some excellent ingredients include hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and salicylic acid, as they can help prevent acne formation without compromising your skin's protective barrier.

If you aren't showering regularly, it can lead to excess sebum production and a build-up of bacteria, dirt, and grime in your pores. Showering will help eliminate contaminants and help you maintain healthy, balanced skin. 

To avoid acne on the back, you’ll want to shower after you sweat while exercising or spending all day in the sun. You’ll also want to consider wearing loose-fitting clothes. This type of clothes causes less friction and may reduce your risk for back acne. 

When you jump in the shower, we recommend using The Body Cleanser. Our replenishing body wash helps to soften, hydrate, and cleanse your skin to calm irritation while gently removing impurities. In our 12-week user-proven trials, 96% of participants confirmed that The Body Cleanser effectively cleared their skin, while 99% agreed that it left their skin feeling purified.

Exfoliants help eliminate dead skin cells on the surface and make room for new growth. If you make time to exfoliate your back, you can unclog clogged pores and improve the overall appearance of your back acne.

Use an exfoliating body wash and a back scrubber to ensure you can reach all areas. Here's how to complete the process in the shower:

● Wet your back with warm water for 5 minutes to open and loosen your pores. 

● Next, apply body wash to your back scrubber and gently exfoliate. It's best to rub the product in a circular motion. And don't forget your shoulders and the nape of your neck.

● Try to exfoliate gently, especially if you currently have back acne. If you're too rough, it can cause additional irritation and inflammation.

● Afterward, wash off the excess product and pat your back dry with a towel. Repeat this process 1-2 times a week for the best results.

If you're struggling with bacne and nothing seems to help, there are treatments, supplements, and procedures you can try to help eliminate irritation. Common back acne treatments to consider include:

● Chemical Peels

● Blue Light Therapy

● Microdermabrasion

If you can't seem to stop the bacne, consider scheduling an appointment with your medical provider or dermatologist. They can help provide a topical antibiotic or topical retinoid that may help eliminate the acne.

Eliminate Back Acne With Augustinus Bader 

Back acne can be hard to deal with, especially if you don't have high-quality, non-comedogenic skincare or body care products to combat the problem. 

At Augustinus Bader, we've spent over 30+ years researching our formulas to help you achieve next-level results. Our body care products are infused with our TFC8 technology to support cellular renewal, target your skincare concerns and get you one step closer to the skin you deserve. 

Explore our selection of body care essentials today.