Acne can be a nightmare on its own. But if breakouts are on your shoulders and back (bacne) and it’s boiling outside, that’s incredibly inconvenient. If you are struggling with back acne, use these tips and product recommendations to get rid of bacne fast.
Stop Using Loofahs
Loofas accumulate bacteria, and you have open bacne you are spreading the germs all over your body. Loofahs are fruitful grounds for bacteria as they never totally dry out. Not only it’s gross but it’s also not beneficial when fighting bacne. Instead of a loofah, switch to just soap and water or use washcloths that you regularly wash with detergent.
Get Rid of Your Shower Gel
Many common shower gels contain harsh fragrances that provoke acne. Instead, try a best-selling Shea Moisture African Black Soap. It contains Shea Butter that keeps your skin moisturized, Aloe Vera and Oat Kennel that calms down the skin, and Tea Tree Oil that sanitizes and helps fight acne. There is also a body wash option if you prefer a shower gel consistency.
Incorporate Salicylic Acid
This beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) is known for reducing acne by exfoliating the skin and keeping pores clear. Similar to using Salicylic Acid-based products for treating acne, you could use the same toners and treatments for bacne. Many brands also offer Salicylic Acid products designed explicitly for bacne.
- Bliss Body Acne Spray 2% Salicylic Acid comes with a convenient spritz applicator to use on your back. In addition to BHA, the product features skin-calming cica and witch hazel water.
- Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash is a liquid body cleanser that contains 2% Salicylic Acid and has proven to be extremely effective for treating acne.
- Murad Skincare Acne Body Wash is a gentler formula (1% Salicylic Acid) that combines chemical and physical exfoliants that help with bacne.
Re-Evaluate Your Body Cream
If you are struggling with bacne, try avoiding oils in your body care routine and stick to gel moisturizers. Similar to treating acne, gel formulas work gentler on irritated, breakout-prone skin. Remember that if you are using beta-hydroxy acids as your in-shower treatment, it’s better to avoid body creams with BHAs to eliminate the risk of over-exfoliation.
- CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin is a dermatologist-recommended lightweight formula that exfoliates and softens bacne-prone skin.
- Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA is more of a treatment than just a body lotion. It contains Salicylic Acid and
- Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Gel Creme is a gentle gel body moisturizer suitable for irritated and acne-prone skin. It also helps people who’ve been struggling for a while and need help with repairing the skin barrier.
Stop Using Hair Conditioner
The last tip is just my personal observation. I noticed that my back breaks out the worst when I’m using a hair conditioner. That’s why I’ve been skipping on it for years and using a hair mask instead just once a week. Another option is the Seen Skin and Hair conditioner, specifically designed for people struggling with bacne.
Consider Spot Treatment
If you are fighting particularly painful bacne, consider spot treatments that could help to dry out your breakouts overnight. You’ll need someone else’s help to apply the product, but if you stay consistent you’ll be able to get rid of bacne fast. These are tried-and-true acne spot treatments that will help your bacne too:
- Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is the most effective spot acne treatment I tried and I’ve been loyal to it for years. Apply this lotion overnight, and by morning time most of your bacne will noticeably shrink. The product contains Salicylic Acid, pores-cleansing Sulfur, and itch-reducing Calamine.
- Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment is formulated with the highest allowed dosage of Sulfur (10%), which is known for fighting acne, and Salicylic Acid.
- Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots are, in my opinion, less effective than liquid acne treatments, but they are more convenient to use. Most importantly, you can stick them on during the day too without the fear of ruining your clothes.
