How to Get Rid of Back Acne — The Washes, Habits and Treatments That Actually Clear It

Back acne responds to the same ingredients as face acne — benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and adapalene — but they work best used a little differently. The skin on your back is thicker, you can't see it, and sweat and friction from the gym and backpacks keep irritating it. Here is a step-by-step plan based on American Academy of Dermatology guidance, with the products we would use.

Why Back Acne Happens

Back acne forms the same way as face acne: oil and dead skin clog pores, acne bacteria multiply inside them, and inflammation follows. The back has plenty of oil glands, and it also deals with sweat trapped under shirts and friction from backpack straps and sports gear, which can make breakouts worse.

Step 1 — Benzoyl Peroxide, Left On for Two to Five Minutes

Benzoyl peroxide kills acne bacteria. The AAD says it works best on the back when you lather it on and leave it for two to five minutes before rinsing (American Academy of Dermatology: back acne). That short wait helps the medicine get into the thicker skin of the back, and rinsing it off stops it from bleaching your towels, sheets and shirts.

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash contains 10% benzoyl peroxide, the highest strength sold over the counter. It is labeled for the face, chest and back, and costs about $9 for 5.5 oz.

Wash it on, do the rest of your shower, then rinse your back last. Switch to white towels; benzoyl peroxide bleaches colored fabric.

Step 2 — Add a Salicylic Acid Wash

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that loosens dead skin and helps unclog pores. Use it on the days you skip benzoyl peroxide, or if benzoyl peroxide is too drying.

CeraVe Salicylic Acid Body Wash is fragrance-free and also contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid to offset the dryness. It costs about $14 for 10 oz.

On a budget, Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash & Scrub has 2% salicylic acid, is labeled for the back, chest and shoulders, and costs about $10. It is a scrub, so use it gently: the AAD warns that scrubbing acne-prone skin makes acne worse.

Step 3 — A Leave-On Treatment for Stubborn Spots

Washes only stay on your skin for a few minutes. If you still get breakouts after a few weeks, add a leave-on treatment.

Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment is a lightweight 2% BHA (salicylic acid) lotion with green tea and chamomile, and it contains no fragrance. It costs about $35 for 7 oz (sold by Paula's Choice Skincare).

For breakouts that keep coming back, adapalene is the stronger option. Differin Gel (0.1% adapalene) was approved by the FDA for over-the-counter use in 2016, the first prescription-strength retinoid sold without a prescription (Galderma: FDA approves Differin Gel for over-the-counter use). It works by normalizing skin-cell turnover so pores clog less.

The Differin 45 g pump makes more sense than the small tube for a back-sized area, at about $24. Apply a thin layer once a day. Retinoids can irritate at first, so start every other night if your skin gets dry or red.

Step 4 — Moisturize Your Back Too

Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and adapalene all dry the skin, and dry, irritated skin makes it harder to stick with treatment. Use a light, non-comedogenic lotion after showering.

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, for about $13 for 12 oz.

Step 5 — Change Your Gym Habits

The AAD's advice for back acne includes:

• Wear loose-fitting workout clothes made of cotton or sweat-wicking fabric.
• Wash workout clothes after every use.
• Shower and change as soon as you can after sweating; if you can't, wipe down with an oil-free cleansing wipe and change your shirt.
• Cut down on friction from backpacks and padded gear while breakouts are bad.

A Simple Weekly Routine

• Most days in the shower: benzoyl peroxide wash on the back, left on for two to five minutes, then rinsed.
• Other days (or if your skin is dry): salicylic acid body wash instead.
• Evening: adapalene or a BHA lotion on the areas that break out.
• After every shower: a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
• After every workout: shower and change.

Introduce one product at a time, a week or so apart, so you can tell what is causing any irritation. Acne treatments work over weeks, not days, so give the routine a couple of months before you judge it.

When to See a Dermatologist

See a dermatologist if you have deep, painful lumps or cysts, if breakouts leave scars or dark marks, or if a couple of months of consistent over-the-counter treatment hasn't helped. Prescription options are much stronger, and treating severe acne early helps prevent scarring.

FAQ

How long should I leave benzoyl peroxide wash on my back?

Two to five minutes before rinsing, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. It helps the medicine work and keeps it from bleaching fabrics.

Does benzoyl peroxide bleach towels and shirts?

Yes. Rinse it off thoroughly and use white towels and sheets while you are using it.

Can I use my face acne products on my back?

Yes. The same ingredients — benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and adapalene — work on back acne, and body-sized packaging is usually better value.

How long does it take to clear back acne?

Expect weeks to months. Use a routine consistently for a couple of months before deciding it isn't working, and see a dermatologist for painful or scarring acne.

For your face, our salicylic acid guide explains how BHAs work. For a gentler body wash between treatment days, see our best body wash for men guide.

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology: back acne; Galderma: FDA approves Differin Gel for over-the-counter use