6 MAJOR Hacks That Keep Body Acne & Breakouts At Bay

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We’ve all been caught off-guard by painful body pimples that we “could’ve sworn weren’t there yesterday,” right? But don’t stress, there are tons of lifestyle tweaks and ahhhmazing product formulas out there that’ll help a) keep breakouts at bay and b) give your body the love it deserves.

How to Identify Body Acne

“Body acne may be pustules filled with pus, or they could be deep, painful pimples under the skin,” says Dr. Alan Parks, a board-certified dermatologist and Founder of DermWarehouse. Like facial acne, body acne occurs when your pores get clogged by excess oil (sebum), debris, and dead skin cells. The blocked pore creates an ideal environment for skin bacteria (C. acnes) to grow and flourish, leading to inflammation and infection.

How to Combat Body Acne

Once you’ve identified any booty spots or bacne, resist the urge to pop them, as you’ll increase the likelihood of scarring. If you’re constantly tempted, apply one of the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch – Original Care, $6. It will conceal and contain the pimple while sucking out puss without damaging the skin.

1. Double Cleansing Your Body

@glowwithava Reply to @ivyquinn___ you can tell what parts of my back I couldn’t reach 🤣 #backne #bodycare ♬ original sound – AVA

Double cleansing (using two cleansers one after the other) isn’t just a skincare ritual for your face. Double cleansing can help remove unwanted dirt, debris, and oil, which, if left on the skin, can lead to breakouts. Though we don’t recommend doing this every time you cleanse (to avoid damaging the skin barrier), two to three times a week (or after exercising) can ensure your skin is getting the detox it needs.

Use breakout-targeting body washes formulated with acne-fighting active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide that help balance oil production and keep breakouts at bay. We love Bioderma’s Atoderm collection because it cleanses and clarifies but is actually tailored for sensitive skin, so it’s super gentle and works alongside eczema treatments.

Cleansing bars are another great plastic-free alternative. We love the Herbivore Blue Clay Cleansing Soap Bar, $12, formulated with Cambrian blue clay; it clarifies, balances, and detoxes impurities from your pores while naturally astringent lavender oil cleanses and hydrates.

2. Avoid Scrubbing Your Skin

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The whole “the harder you scrub, the cleaner your skin gets” isn’t true, hunny. Scrubbing your loofah vigorously across breakouts weakens your skin’s barrier (and can irritate pimples), making your skin more vulnerable to harmful bacteria that could lead to further breakouts and aggravate any already there. Speaking of loofahs, you need to replace them every three to four weeks because they harbor bacteria, which once again could contribute to booty spots and body acne.

3. Avoid Heavy Lotions

If you have acne-prone skin, stay clear of heavy body lotions made with rich emollients like shea butter and coconut oil. When applied in excess, these heavy formulas tend to sit on top of your skin and can block your pores. Opt for non-comedogenic formulas like CeraVe SA Lotion For Rough & Bumpy Skin, $19, that deliver moisture without clogging your pores (or breaking your bank account).

4. Change Out Your Gym Clothes ASAP

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When you’re exhausted after a workout, tugging off your leggings and sports bra is the last thing you CBA to do, but you should be changing out of your clothes immediately. “Sitting in wet workout clothing can lead to bacterial and fungal infections of the skin as well as irritation, especially in skin folds where occlusive workout clothes tend to hug. Think under the breasts and in the groin creases,” says Dr. Nikhil Dhingra, a board-certified dermatologist at NYC’s Spring Street Dermatology.

If you can’t shower immediately, sweep the NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads, $15, across your skin to keep sweat and breakout-causing bacteria from taking charge.

5. Swap Your Towel Weekly

It’s kinda gross, but the dead skin from your post-shower rub-down just lingers on the towel. When it remains damp for hours, it becomes the perfect breeding ground for unwanted germs (eeesh). Using a towel for longer than a week means you’re kinda washing all the hard work your cleansers did down the drain (no pun intended).

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6. Add A Booty Spray To Your Body Care Routine

If breakouts are still saying hey after these lifestyle changes, it’s time to add a targeted booty spray to your body care routine. The Versed Skincare Back-Up Plan Acne-Control Body Mist, $15, is a great option as it gets the hardest-to-reach spots with a powerful combo of  2% salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and witch hazel, which work overtime to fight bacteria, balance excess oil production, calm inflammation, and soothe redness. We’re also huge fans of the AZIMD Gly/Sal Body Spray, $32, formulated by dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi with 10% glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid.

PSA: you shouldn’t be reusing your facial washcloths either, and here’s why.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. Although some brands allow affiliate links, we never take payment to review products, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.