How to Get Rid of Your Back Acne
It’s a common problem in runners, but with these products, you will no longer have to deal with it.
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Back acne (or as the cool kids call it, bacne) is a particular kind of hell. Unlike regular acne, it’s tough to tell if you even have it, and once you glimpse those telltale zits in the mirror, it’s hard to treat it because it’s a total pain to reach all the way back there.
But wherever it is, acne is always caused by the same ol’ stuff, says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital's department of dermatology. Think of your pores as pipes that connect your oil glands to your skin: if they clog up, a pimple develops.
You’re more prone to getting zits on your chest or back (as opposed to, say, the bottoms of your feet) because those areas have a higher concentration of hair follicles and sebaceous glands, or glands that secrete an oily matter called sebum, explains Races - Places, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at New York University Langone and Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
The bad news? Often, it’s the most active among us who suffer from bacne. If you run in tight, restrictive clothing and you don’t shower immediately afterwards, you’ve got a seriously good recipe for an eruption.
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Additionally, back acne can be caused by any number of factors, from stress to your own genes, says Hooman Khorasani M.D. of Runner’s World Training Plan in New York City. “Our genetics dictate how much sebum we produce, how often our cells turnover, and how prone we are to bacterial overgrowth [in the sebum-producing ducts],” says Khorasani.
But here’s the good news: Back acne is a mostly preventable condition. Keeping stress levels low, working out in loose-fitting, breathable fabrics, and showering and changing immediately after exercise can help clear things up. So can using these 12 dermatologist-approved, bacne-fighting products.
“Benzoyl peroxide is the most effective treatment we have on the market right now to treat acne,” says Zeichner. “It kills acne-causing bacteria to reduce inflammation and can help open up blocked pores.”
Apply this formula on your back before bed and rinse it off in the a.m. Just note: Benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics, so make sure to wear something white and use old or white sheets.
Anti-bacterial benzoyl peroxide not only effectively kills acne-causing bacteria, it also helps control and reduce flares, says Kanchanapoomi Levin. “Keep the wash on your back for two to five minutes before rinsing it off in order to increase penetration,” she advises.
This cleanser delivers five percent benzoyl peroxide, but fortunately, it won’t dry you out. “Interestingly, the clinical studies show that using a five percent versus a 10 percent provides the same efficacy—but the 10 percent increases irritation, dryness, and peeling,” she says.
Differin Adapalene Gel Acne Treatment
Differin Gel became the first OTC, FDA-approved acne-treating retinoid (a vitamin A derivative) that can be applied daily after you shower. It’ll treat any existing pimples, but it’ll also prevent them from forming in the first place by normalizing skin cell turnover and improving skin texture, Kanchanapoomi Levin says.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
This serum-like product with retinoid goes on very easily, which is key for compliance—something that’s crucial for acne treatment, says Kavita Mariwalla, M.D., a dermatologist based in West Islip, New York. Apply a small amount at night before you go to bed.
“Especially if you’re working out and sweating, dead cells mixed with oil and dirt can build up on the skin and increase your risk of a breakout,” says Zeichner. Gently exfoliating with this bar, however, can help slough off said dead cells. This soap also exfoliates while keeping your skin hydrated (and not over-drying it).
This spray works to unclog pores and speed up the removal of dead skin cells that can slow down oil drainage of the skin. Use it as a leave-on treatment after the gym, suggests Mariwalla.
Salicylic acid, a key ingredient in this product, removes excess oil and dead cells from your skin’s surface. “It’s effective at treating acne and can help open up blackheads and prevent blockages of your pores that would otherwise become future pimples,” says Zeichner.
Clay works to decongest your pores and help skin look firmer. “I swear by this formula for use in the shower,” says Mariwalla. “It is great to help degrease—the back especially.”
Looking for something you can leave on all day that won’t stain your clothes? This toner made with glycolic acid, which helps remove your outermost layer of dead cells, is your best bet, says Mariwalla.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser Acne Wash
Rinse away excess oil and other pore cloggers with a soft-on-skin cleanser. Like your face, the pores on your back are easily clogged with sweat, grime, and dead cells. A cleanser will help wipe the canvas clean and allow you to exfoliate and hydrate.
While pores can clog with dirt, sweat, and oil, they are also frequently blocked with dead skin cells that haven’t dissolved or been properly buffed away. By scrubbing the skin twice a week with a gritty exfoliator, you can lift this outermost layer of cells—the dead ones doing nothing but preventing healthy cells from surfacing—and let your pores breathe easily. AHAVA’s exfoliator is one of the best, doing double duty as it cleanses and exfoliates in one fell swipe.
It’s important to hydrate the skin with a deeply nourishing lotion right after you get out of the shower: It delivers nutrients without clogging pores, keeping everything smooth and free of blemishes. CeraVe’s entire line of skincare products works well, especially if you’ve got sensitive, acne-prone skin.
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