10 Tips to Get Rid of Back Acne (Bacne) (2025)

Back acne (sometimes referred to as "bacne") is a common condition that develops when dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria become trapped in the skin's pores. Such factors as wearing tight clothing, sweating excessively, and using pore-clogging products can trigger it.

A combination of over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications can usually help clear and manage mild cases of bacne. Severe cases may require prescription medications and in-office procedures.

1. Shower After Working Out or Sweating

Showering as soon as possible after working out or sweating a lot can help rinse away bacteria that trigger acne on the back. If showering right away isn't an option, try a cleansing wipe treated with salicylic acid to wipe the sweat off your skin gently. Change out of sweaty clothes immediately.

2. Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliating removes dead cells from the skin's surface using a manual tool (a brush or sponge) or a chemical product. This helps keep pores from getting clogged with dirt, oil, and bacteria.

Because the back can be hard to reach, you might try using a dry brush with a long handle to help slough off dead skin cells. Do so gently to avoid further irritation, and follow up with bacne treatment products and moisturizer.

3. Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing

Tight, irritating clothing can trap dirt, oil, and bacteria on the skin, especially if worn while exercising and sweating. To prevent this, try wearing loose-fitting clothing made of cotton or sweat-wicking fabrics to allow the skin to breathe. Remember to wash your workout clothes (including sports bras) after each use to help keep the skin on your back clear.

4. Keep Hair Off Your Back

Natural oil from your hair may be transferred to the skin on your back, creating an optimal environment for bacne breakouts. To keep your hair off your back, experts suggest shampooing more regularly and limiting the use of hair products that may irritate the skin and trigger bacne.

5. Select Sunscreen Carefully

Sun protection is a key part of any skincare routine. Experts recommend using oil-free sunscreen on the body (and face) while outdoors to help keep bacne at bay. Look for a sunscreen that contains the words "noncomedogenic" or "won't clog pores" on the label, as this means the product does not contain ingredients likely to clog pores.

6. Make Dietary Changes

Some research links diet to acne. To help calm acne-related inflammation and curb the skin's production of sebum (oil), consider choosing:

• Anti-inflammatory foods (berries, nuts, whole grains, and beans)
• Foods containing zinc (pumpkin seeds and spinach)
• Foods rich inomega-3 fatty acids(chia seeds and fatty fish like salmon)

Research suggests avoiding foods like candy, sugary beverages, white rice, and french fries because they may contribute to acne by elevatinginsulin levels, which increases sebum production.

7. Apply Tea Tree Oil

When applied topically, tea tree oil may calm inflammation and help combat Cutibacterium acnebacteria on the skin. For back acne, you might consider using a bodywash that contains tea tree oil as an ingredient or a spot treatment with diluted tea tree oil to clear stubborn areas.

8. Try OTC Products

Over-the-counter acne products can help treat mild to moderate bacne. Experts typically recommend:

• Benzoyl peroxide:Using a foaming face wash with 2.5% to 10% benzoyl peroxide daily helps kill acne-causing bacteria. However, it may cause skin irritation, dryness, and peeling, which can be soothed with moisturizer.
• Retinoid (adapalene 0.1% gel):ThisOTC retinoidgel can help unclog pores when used with benzoyl peroxide. It's bestapplied daily after showering or before bed.
• Salicylic acid:Salicylic acid reduces whiteheads and blackheads by unclogging pores, exfoliating the skin, and decreasing inflammation. Apply a thin layer to the back every morning.
• Azelaic acid:This natural compound may help improve back acne and prevent or fade dark spots that develop after a breakout. It's versatile, as it can treat different types of acne bumps.
• Oil-free moisturizer: While it may seem counterintuitive, moisturizer still benefits acne-prone skin. Look for a product labeled "oil-free," "noncomedogenic," or "won't clog pores" to help avoid further back breakouts.

9. Consider Medications

More severe cases of bacne may require medical treatment or prescription medication options, including:

• Dapsone gel:This topicalantibiotic can help clear back acne when applied daily.
• Antibiotics:A short course of oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline, may help lower the levels of acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
• Hormone therapy:In some cases, oral contraceptives (hormonal birth control) or spironolactone (medication to treat high blood pressure) can balance hormone levels that may trigger bacne.
• Isotretinoin:This vitamin A derivative can treat severe cases of bacne by shrinking oil glands in the skin. However, this drug comes with the risk of significant side effects and isn't meant to be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.
  

10. Choose Other Treatment Options

For severe or stubborn bacne, there are other treatment options available that may be performed in-office by a healthcare provider, such as:

• Laser therapy: This technique uses different types of laser beams on the skin to treat bacne. It may also help clear discoloration or scarring left behind after a breakout.
• Light therapy: These treatments aim blue or red LED (light-emitting diode) light or infrared light directly at acne to reduce breakouts.
• Chemical peels:Safely applying a topical chemical solution to the skin allows for deeper exfoliation, resurfacing the skin, removing excess oil, and unclogging pores.
• Microneedling:This technique uses a tool with tiny needles to make small, controlled wounds, stimulating the body to produce more collagen to even out skin tone and texture.
• Microdermabrasion:A handheldmicrodermabrasiondevice gently exfoliates and removes the top layer of skin, leading to a smoother complexion.
  

What Causes Back Acne?

Like facial acne, back acne develops when hair follicles beneath the skin become congested with dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria. Bacne can be quite common because many of these hair follicles and a higher density of oil glands are in the back area.

Other factors that may contribute to developing bacne include:

• Diet
• Friction from clothing, backpacks, or sports gear
• Stress
• Sweating that is excessive

Roughly half of people with facial acne also experience bacne or breakouts on their upper body. Adolescents, people assigned male at birth, people who menstruate, and those who have a family history of acne may be more likely to develop back acne, but anyone can experience it.

Tips to Prevent Breakouts

In addition to using treatments, it may also be helpful to follow these lifestyle tips to help prevent and combat bacne breakouts:

• Be gentle with your skin while cleansing and exfoliating, as scrubbing can worsen bacne.
• Avoid irritating your skin with abrasive exfoliant scrubs or harsh loofahs and back brushes.
• Look for skin care products that won't clog pores.The label may read"noncomedogenic," "oil-free," or "non-acnegenic."
• Be mindful of anything that rubs against your back, like a backpack or sports gear, which can trigger bacne to flare up.
• Resist the urge to pick at bacne breakouts, as popping pimples worsens acne.
• Avoid switching acne treatments frequently to allow a particular product's ingredients enough time to work.
  

When to Contact a Dermatologist

Results from bacne treatment can take six to eight weeks to see, with complete clearing taking up to four months. Discoloration or hyperpigmentation related to bacne can take even longer to improve.

If you don't see any improvement by the eight-week mark, it may be time to check with adermatologist(a doctor who specializes in skin, hair, and nails). They'll be able to assess your acne and offer a tailored treatment plan.

Summary

Acne on your back (or "bacne") is not uncommon. It develops when the skin's pores become clogged with dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil. Factors like diet, hormones, stress, sweating, and friction from clothing or sports equipment may also exacerbate it.

Fortunately, back acne can be treated and managed with OTC products, prescription medications, in-office treatments, and lifestyle tweaks. See a healthcare provider if your back acne doesn't clear up after six to eight weeks of treatment.