How to Get Rid of Body Acne

Medically reviewed by Mark Ziats, MD, PhD

Last Updated: November 18, 2021 References

Body acne can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, and hard to eliminate. It’s is caused by the same plugged pores, hormones, and bacteria that cause facial acne, and there are a variety of ways to get rid of body acne. From OTC treatments (like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid) to more lifestyle-based treatments, there are numerous medicinal, cosmetic, and herbal options out there that can help soothe your skin. We’ll teach you how to treat an outbreak can help you get rid of acne on any part of your body.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Caring for Your Skin

1
Use a gentle skin cleanser. The same facial cleansers used for acne on your face can generally be applied to any part of the body that's prone to acne outbreaks. If you know that you tend to get a lot of acne on your back, for example, you may want to try using a facial cleanser specifically for your back on a regular basis to help prevent future outbreaks.
- Facial cleansers help remove dirt, sweat, body oil, and anything else that might clog your pores.^{[1]
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- Choose a gentle cleanser that won't irritate or damage your skin. Even though your back (for example) may not be as sensitive as your face, it's still best to avoid irritating your skin with harsh cleansers.
- Work your chosen cleanser into a lather, then apply it to the part of your body most susceptible to acne outbreaks. Thoroughly wash the cleanser away under running water like you would for your face. It's best to treat body acne in the shower, as washing your back or neck may get messy in the sink.
2
Try over-the-counter topical creams and lotions. There are many over-the-counter topical creams and lotions available that help treat acne. While it may be difficult to navigate which products are most effective, you can compare products by their ingredients to get a better sense of what products you need. Common over-the-counter topical ingredients include:
- Alpha hydroxy acids - remove dead skin cells to prevent pores from clogging, reduce skin inflammation, and stimulate new skin growth.^{[2]
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- Benzoyl peroxide - kills bacteria on your skin that may cause pores to clog^{[3]
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- Retinoid creams/lotions - help unclog pores and help remove dead skin cells to prevent future pore clogs.^{[4]
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- Salicylic acid - helps prevent pores from plugging
- Sulfur - helps remove both dead skin cells and excess body oil from the skin
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3
Steer clear of irritants. Certain irritants may contribute to acne across your body, especially if you are prone to sweating. One of the most common irritants for body acne is tight clothing, which may hold sweat and oil against the pores of the skin.^{[5]
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- Wear loose-fitting clothes and avoid tight-fitting straps from accessories like backpacks and sports equipment. These may cause additional friction against your sensitive skin, and may further trap oil and dirt against your pores.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Prescriptions

1
Look into oral antibiotics. While topical antibiotics are effective for mild to moderate acne, oral antibiotics are typically prescribed for more moderate to severe acne outbreaks across the body. Oral antibiotics are usually only given for a predetermined length of time, after which you will need to taper off your use of the medication.^{[6]
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- Commonly prescribed oral antibiotics for treating acne include minocycline and doxycycline, which are both tetracyclines. Side effects include increased sensitivity to the sun, so make sure to wear sunscreen. Do not use in children under age of 9 or in pregnant women as there is an increased risk of reduced bone growth or permanent teeth discoloration.
- Ask your doctor if oral antibiotics are right for you.
2
Consider using retinoid topicals. Much like the over-the-counter topicals available at most pharmacies, prescription-strength retinoids help reduce acne outbreaks by preventing pores from becoming clogged. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and come in many prescription-strength forms, including tretinoin (Avita), adapalene (Differin), and tazarotene (Tazorac).^{[7]
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- Use retinoids topically on the skin. Apply it in the evening, and allow your skin to grow accustomed to its use. You only need a pea-sized amount to cover the face. For best results, begin using retinoids three times each week, then increasing your use to a daily schedule as your skin gets used to the medication.
- Retinoids commonly cause skin irritation, flaky skin and dryness. You can minimize these side effects by starting with the lowest concentration of medication available. If your skin can tolerate these lower concentrations, you may start increasing the strength.
- Avoid using retinoids at the same time as over-the-counter acne medication.
- Retinoids can also increase your sensitivity to the sun. Wear sunscreen, and cover your skin with protective clothing, such as hats and jackets. .
3
Talk to your doctor about topical antibiotics. Prescription-strength topical antibiotics can help kill excess bacteria on the surface of your skin, which may otherwise result in clogged pores and outbreaks. Topical antibiotics may also reduce redness in acne-prone skin. Many topical antibiotics are also combined with benzoyl peroxide, which can help reduce the chances of developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria on your skin.^{[8]
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- Common topical antibiotics combined with benzoyl peroxide include clindamycin (Benzaclin) and erythromycin (Benzamycin).
- Dapsone is a topical gel that is often prescribed to treat acne. It is usually combined with a topical retinoid component to maximize its effectiveness.^{[9]
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  Go to source} Dapsone may cause skin irritation, redness, and dryness
4
Ask your doctor about oral contraceptives. Combined oral contraceptives may be useful in treating acne for women and adolescent girls. These specialized pills often combine estrogen with progestin, and are available in three different forms: Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Estrostep, and Yaz.^{[10]
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- Common side effects include headache, nausea, weight gain, breast tenderness, and periodic bleeding, though more serious side effects could include a risk of blood clots.
- Ask your doctor if a combined oral contraceptive is right for you.
5
Discuss anti-androgen agents. Anti-androgen agents like spironolactone (Aldactone) can help block sebaceous glands from being affected by androgen hormones. These medications are typically prescribed to women and adolescent girls who have not had success with oral antibiotics in treating acne.^{[11]
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- Commonly reported side effects include breast tenderness, painful periods, and the body's retention of potassium.
6
Consider isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is a very strong oral medication that is usually reserved for people who have not responded to other acne treatments. The side effects of isotretinoin include ulcerative colitis, an elevated risk of depression and depression-related suicide, and severe birth defects in pregnant women. Taking isotretinoin requires continued monitoring by your doctor to prevent or detect these side effects before they become problematic.^{[12]
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- Common forms of isotretinoin include Amnesteem, Claravis, and Sotret.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Trying Natural Remedies

1
Look for a body cleanser that contains fruit acids. Fruit acids have been shown to help with acne, so choosing a cleanser that contains one of these acids may help to control your body acne. For example, you could look for a cleanser that contains citric acid, which comes from citrus fruits. Other fruit acids include gluconolactone, glycolic, gluconic, malic, and tartaric acids.^{[13]
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- Wash your skin no more than twice per day.
- Shampoo daily if your acne appears along or on your hairline.^{[14]
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- You can also use a mild soap to cleanse your skin, such as Dove or Cetaphil.
- Cleanse your skin by taking a shower or bath. You should also wash your skin any time it becomes sweaty.
- Avoid scrubbing, which may irritate your skin. Use your fingertips or a soft washcloth to wash your skin.
- Pat your skin dry with a clean towel after you finish.
2
Use aloe vera to moisturize your skin. Aloe vera can help to keep your skin moisturized and it may also provide some anti-acne benefits.^{[15]
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- Some people are sensitive to aloe vera. Stop using it if it causes redness, burning, a stinging sensation, or a rash.^{[16]
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3
Try tea tree oil gel. A five percent concentration tea tree oil gel may help to for some people.^{[17]
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Go to source} Its effects have even been compared to benzoyl peroxide, which is a medicine that is included in some acne-fighting skin products.^{[18]
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- You will have to apply the gel to your skin every day. Make sure that your skin is clean and dry before you apply the gel.
- Test the product on a small patch of skin before you apply it over a large area. Some people experience redness and irritation from tea tree oil.
4
Use a lotion that contains 2% green tea extract. A lotion that contains 2% green tea extract may help with mild to moderate acne.^{[19]
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- Make sure that you test the lotion on a small portion of your skin before you apply it over a large area.
5
Consider taking a Brewer's yeast supplement. Ingesting CBS 5926, a specific strain of brewer's yeast, may help to reduce acne outbreaks.^{[20]
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Go to source} You can take brewer's yeast powder, flakes, tablets, or liquid.
- If using flakes or powder, then a typical dose is one to two tablespoons per day. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for tablets or a liquid.
- Taking a brewer's yeast supplement may cause flatulence.^{[21]
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- If you are prone to yeast infections, these supplements may worsen your symptoms.
6
Spend a little time in the sun. A little sunlight exposure may also help to combat acne, so you may want to consider spending 10 to 15 minutes outside in the sun every day. Make sure that you do not get too much sun exposure or use tanning in an effort to combat acne. You can damage your skin from too much sun exposure or tanning. This will also increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
- Make sure that you are always using a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before going out into the sun.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Trying Other Body Acne Therapies

1
Use light therapy. Light therapy comes in a variety of forms, as researchers have yet to find a definitively successful method and dose. This form of therapy works by using light exposure to kill bacteria that causes acne.^{[22]
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- Depending on the type of light therapy being used, you may be able to complete this therapy method at home, or you may need to visit your doctor's office.
- Possible side effects include pain, red skin, and increased sensitivity.
2
Get a chemical peel. In this therapy method, a chemical solution (like salicylic acid) is applied to the skin to treat the site of acne. Chemical peels may be highly effective for some people, but should not be used by anyone taking oral retinoids, as the combination may cause significant skin irritation.^{[23]
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- Possible side effects of chemical peels include severe redness of the skin, scaling/blistering, and long-term skin discoloration.
3
Have your comedones extracted. If you haven't had any luck with topical or oral treatments, a dermatologist may be able to manually remove whiteheads and blackheads from your skin. This should only be done by a qualified dermatologist in a controlled setting and using a specialized tool, and may cause permanent scarring of the skin.^{[24]
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4
Consider steroid injections. Some acne conditions, like nodular and cystic lesions, may be treated with steroid injections. A dermatologist will inject a steroid treatment directly into the lesion, which may improve your skin without having to extract the comedone. However, this treatment option may cause thinner skin, a lighter/paler complexion, and visible blood vessels at the site of treatment.^{[25]
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