How to Get Rid of Body Acne in 5 Steps
Wondering how to get rid of body acne quickly so that your back and chest are clear for summer?
You feel like you’ve tried every body acne treatment out there and still...those pesky red pimples remain. The truth is, the body acne battle is real and frustrating but there is hope. You can finally see the back of body breakouts as long as you use the best products for body acne and be consistent (as in: use them daily, no excuses).
If you’re serious about clearing body acne, don’t miss the important steps in this guide. Ahead, how to clear body acne in 5 simple steps.
Best Body Acne Treatments 2025
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What is Body Acne?
Body acne, often known as bodne, is a skin condition and type of acne—acne vulgaris—that shows up as papules, pustules, whiteheads, blackheads, and sometimes cysts or nodules on the chest, shoulders, buttocks, and back. Like facial acne, acne on the body arises when hair follicles and sebaceous glands become clogged by dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria.
Left untreated, these blemishes can lead to dark spots and body acne scars that linger long after the breakouts have healed. Read on to find out how to treat body acne.
How to Get Rid of Body Acne
Treating body acne requires a consistent, targeted skincare routine. Here’s how to stop body acne including the best treatments.
1. Use a Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Every day, wash your face with a gentle salicylic acid cleanser. Salicylic acid is an oil-soluble beta hydroxy acid and chemical exfoliant that penetrates the pore lining to dissolve dead skin cells and excess sebum.
Try Truly’s bestselling 24K Gold Black Soap Cleanser with salicylic acid, charcoal, and 24k gold to deep clean your pores and remove the buildup that leads to blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed papules. It’s a cleanser + exfoliator that you can use every day to stay bodne-free.
2. Apply an Acne Treatment
After cleansing, apply an acne treatment product containing an acne-fighting ingredient like tea tree oil, charcoal, benzoyl peroxide or adapalene. Benzoyl peroxide works by killing acne-causing bacteria and decreasing inflammation, while topical retinoids like adapalene accelerate skin cell turnover to prevent clogged pores and acne scars.
If you’ve got dry skin or sensitive skin, you’ll be better off using Truly’s Black Jelly Blemish Body Serum. It’s made with tea tree, witch hazel, and charcoal to purify the skin and clear up body acne.
3. Spot Treat With Pimple Patches
For stubborn body blemishes, pimple patches are a great overnight solution. These hydrocolloid dressings draw out pus and oil, flattening cysts and pustules overnight. Simply apply a patch directly to the pimple after your acne treatment step, and leave it on for six to eight hours. You’ll wake up to reduced inflammation and a less visible zit.
Try Truly’s Heart Blemish Patches and watch your body breakouts vanish overnight. Containing hydrocolloid, niacinamide, and witch hazel, they’re the perfect treatment option for red, inflamed pimples.
4. Use an Acne-Fighting Lotion
Even with body acne, you still need to moisturize to keep your skin hydrated and skin barrier strong. Seal in moisture with an oil-free, non-comedogenic lotion. Choose a lightweight formula with soothing ingredients like ceramides, squalane, or hyaluronic acid to restore the skin barrier without fueling breakouts. Regular use prevents dryness and tightness, which can otherwise trigger excess oil production and new acne breakouts.
A great choice is Truly’s Dragon Milk Anti-Blemish Body Lotion. It contains a hydrating blend of shea butter and squalane along with exfoliating lactic and glycolic acid to actively clear pores.
5. Shower After Workouts
Sweat and bacteria trapped in tight workout gear can exacerbate acne mechanica, a form of acne caused by friction and heat. To minimize this risk, shower promptly after exercising or any activity that causes heavy perspiration. Use lukewarm water and your salicylic acid body wash to rinse away sweat, oil, and grime, then pat your skin dry with a clean towel rather than rubbing.
What Causes Body Acne?
If you’re trying to figure out how to get rid of body acne fast, it helps to first understand why it happens. Just like facial acne, body acne causes include hormonal changes, excess oil production, and external triggers like friction, sweat, or the wrong skincare products. Below, we break down the most common causes of body breakouts.
1. Excess Oil and Overactive Sebaceous Glands
Your skin’s sebaceous glands naturally produce sebum, an oily substance that keeps your skin moisturized. But when these glands produce excess oil, it can mix with dead skin cells and become trapped in your hair follicles, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. This oil buildup is especially common on the back and chest, where sebaceous activity is higher.
2. Dead Skin Cell Buildup
Without regular exfoliating, dead skin cells can accumulate on the surface of your skin and block pores—especially when combined with sweat and sebum. This makes it easier for bacteria to thrive and cause whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples, particularly in areas where the skin is thicker and more prone to congestion.
3. Bacteria and Inflammation
A buildup of Cutibacterium acnes, the acne-causing bacteria that lives on our skin, can trigger an inflammatory response when trapped inside pores. This leads to painful papules, pustules, or even deeper cysts and nodules, especially if you have acne-prone skin or wear tight clothing that traps sweat and bacteria.
4. Hormonal Fluctuations
If your body acne gets worse during your period, pregnancy, or times of stress, hormones may be the culprit. Hormonal changes can ramp up oil production and trigger breakouts across your body—not just on your face. Elevated levels of androgens, for example, are known to increase sebum levels and contribute to acne vulgaris.
5. Sweat, Friction, and Tight Clothing
Anything that causes friction against your skin—think: sports bras, backpacks, or fitted gym gear—can irritate hair follicles and lead to breakouts, especially when mixed with excessive sweating. This is called acne mechanica, and it’s a common type of body acne seen in athletes or anyone with an active lifestyle. Not showering immediately after working out can make it worse by allowing sweat, bacteria, and build up to sit on your skin longer than they should.
6. Genetics and Skin Type
If one or both of your parents dealt with acne breakouts, there’s a good chance your skin might be genetically predisposed to producing more oil or reacting more strongly to bacteria. Your skin type also plays a role in how likely you are to develop chest acne, back acne, or acne scars over time.
How to Prevent Body Acne
Now you know how to get rid of body acne effectively, here’s how to prevent it in the first place.
Maintain an Acne-Fighting Skincare Routine
Cleanse daily with an acne-fighting body wash, exfoliate two to three times per week, and moisturize with a non-comedogenic lotion to keep your pores clear and your skin hydrated. It sounds obvious but if you’re not being consistent, your skin won’t see the benefits. So stay on top of your body acne routine!
Keep Your Workout Clothes Clean
Wash workout clothes, towels, and backpacks regularly to eliminate bacteria, sweat, and oil buildup that can clog pores.
Choose Loose-Fitting Clothing
Opt for breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics and loose-fitting garments that reduce friction, heat, and moisture against the skin. Materials like lightweight cotton blends or moisture-control synthetics allow air circulation and help prevent acne mechanica on areas prone to chafing.
Avoid Picking or Squeezing
Refrain from touching pimples to prevent inflammation and minimize the risk of dark spots or acne scars. Picking can push bacteria deeper into pores, worsening breakouts and prolonging healing time.
Stress Management
Practice relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises; elevated stress hormones (androgens) can trigger new breakouts. Scheduling even a few minutes of mindfulness each day can help keep your skin and your mind calm.
Sun Protection
Apply an oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen daily to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially when using exfoliating acids or retinoids. Don’t forget to reapply after sweating or swimming to ensure continuous defense against UV damage.
Best Products for Body Acne in 2025
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Is It Body Acne or Something Else?
Not every red bump is acne. Folliculitis, an inflammation of hair follicles, can look like clusters of itchy pustules. Keratosis pilaris manifests as rough, sandpaper-like bumps, often on the arms and thighs. And heat rash can cause tiny red blisters after excessive sweating. If your skin issue doesn’t improve with acne treatments or if it worsens with itchiness, consult a dermatologist to rule out other conditions.
When to See a Dermatologist about Body Acne
While many mild cases clear up with over-the-counter acne treatments, severe cystic acne, painful nodules, or rapidly spreading body breakouts often require professional care. A board-certified dermatologist can prescribe oral antibiotics, stronger topical retinoids, hormonal therapies, or isotretinoin for stubborn cases. Early intervention can prevent long-term acne scars and restore your skin’s health.
FAQs
Still got questions about how to get rid of body acne and more? We’ve got answers.
Why Am I Getting Acne on My Body?
Body acne forms for many of the same reasons as facial acne: excess oil production, clogged pores, sweat, friction from clothing, and hormonal fluctuations. Common trigger areas include the back, chest, and shoulders due to a higher concentration of oil glands and frequent contact with tight clothing or sweaty fabrics.
Do Hot Showers Give You Body Acne?
Hot showers might contribute to body acne. The high temperature strips the skin of natural oils, which can lead to dryness and increased oil production to compensate—creating the perfect environment for breakouts. Additionally, prolonged heat may cause inflammation and irritation, especially if you already have acne-prone skin.
Do Cold Showers Clear Body Acne?
Cold showers can help reduce inflammation and minimize the appearance of body acne. They don’t exactly “cure” body acne, but cold water can soothe irritated skin and shrink pores temporarily. For best results, pair cooler showers with a consistent body acne treatment routine that includes exfoliation and targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Will Body Acne Go Away on its Own?
Mild body acne may clear up on its own, especially if it’s caused by temporary factors like heat or friction. However, persistent or moderate to severe acne often needs active treatment. Without proper care, breakouts can linger or worsen, and in some cases lead to dark spots or scarring.
What Foods Cause Body Acne?
For some people, food can be responsible for causing breakouts. For others, what they consume makes little difference. According to research, certain foods have been linked to acne, like dairy, sugar, and wheat. They can mess with your hormones and cause an outbreak of pimples all over your body.
Try limiting or cutting out dairy, sugar, and wheat to see if it makes a difference on your skin. Follow a healthy, vegan diet to help balance your hormones and lessen inflammation within your body which can cause acne.
What is the Best Body Acne Treatment?
The best body acne treatments include a combination of ingredients like salicylic acid (exfoliates and unclogs pores), benzoyl peroxide (kills acne-causing bacteria), and glycolic acid (smooths skin and fades dark spots). Look for body washes, sprays, or exfoliating scrubs designed specifically for acne-prone skin. Showering after sweating, wearing breathable fabrics, and moisturizing with non-comedogenic products can also help prevent new breakouts.
So we’ve shown you how to get rid of body acne in five steps. Now it’s your turn. It’s over to you to start taking the steps to clear up your body acne. Stick to this bodne-fighting routine and pretty soon, you'll be seeing clear skin all over.
