What Causes Body Acne and How Can I Get Rid of It?

Our skin is our largest organ and works as a detoxification system for our entire body, meaning we run the risk of breaking out anywhere, not just on our face. Acne can occur wherever we have sebaceous glands, or oil glands, and hair follicles, which can become clogged and accumulate bacteria. I’m sure you’ve heard the term ‘Bacne’, referring to the oh-so-common back acne. The chest, neck, shoulders, upper arms, and even the butt are also frequent places where pimples can pop up. Let’s dive in and uncover just what contributes to body acne and how you can avoid it.

So, you’re breaking out on your body. Did you know your shower gels, lotions, and even your hair care can be to blame? Many conventional products contain pore-clogging ingredients you need to avoid if you’re prone to breakouts. To make things easier, we’ve outlined the top ingredients to look out for in our helpful blog on pore-cloggers.

Many body cleansers can also strip your skin of beneficial oils, which not only puts your barrier at risk but can also cause your skin to compensate for the lack of oil by overproducing. Excess oil can lead to clogged pores, and before you know it, you’ll see those annoying pimples popping up.

Try SEEN Haircare for a great selection of acne-safe hair and body care. You can also look for active options with ingredients to treat body acne, such as salicylic acid, which regulates sebum and clears the pores, or benzoyl peroxide, used to control bacteria and increase cell turnover. Check out Face Reality Acne Face & Body Wash or GlyMed Plus Purifying Cleanser With Salicylic Acid as some of our favorite options to replace your daily body cleanser a few times per week to help clear your breakouts.

Regular exfoliation is essential to remove dead skin cells and keep pores clear. Just be sure not to overdo it, as you can damage your skin barrier or dehydrate the skin, leading to increased oil production…and breakouts. It’s also important to note you want to avoid using a scrub directly on active breakouts. Check out these great options to incorporate into your routine 1-2 times weekly as your exfoliating treatment:

Face Reality Mandelic Face and Body Scrub is a multi-purpose scrub that can help keep pores clear while also alleviating hyperpigmentation, fungal folliculitis, and shaving bumps that are often mistaken for acne.

Rhonda Allison Mandelic Perfecting Polish is a weekly treatment scrub that eliminates buildup and bacteria, while reducing inflammation. This is also a great option for those who experience keratosis pilaris (that bumpy skin that can show up primarily on our arms or legs).

Rhonda Allison Bamboo Scrub is a gentle exfoliating scrub without any actives that helps to reduce inflammation and redness, keeping skin smooth and happy.

GlyMed Plus Refining Body Scrub uses both chemical and physical exfoliants to refine tone and texture while hydrating and soothing the skin.