Skin Solutions: Your definitive guide to body acne
Welcome to Skin Solutions: an expert-led guide to understanding your skin.
Knowing that skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all, we’ve spoken to the industry’s top dermatologists and aestheticians to answer all your questions about your skin type or concern.
Whether dealing with a bout of acne, a rosacea flare-up or eternally dehydrated skin, our Skin Solutions series shares science-backed advice and product recommendations from the pros.
Acne appearing on your face can be tricky enough, so when spots also start cropping up on your chest, shoulders, back and bum, it can certainly feel like you're having a run of bad luck.
There are numerous reasons why breakouts on your body appear as fast as the ones on your face. The number one culprit? Well, here's looking at you, stress. Bouts of stress can cause a surge in the hormone cortisol, which in turn causes cysts and whiteheads to rear up all over the place.
But that's not all that's going on, folks. Here the UK's top skincare experts reveal the reasons why you're dealing with body acne, and how to nix it in time for swimsuit season.
Meet the experts:
Dr Sophie Shotter, aesthetic doctor, founder of Illuminate Skin Clinic
Dr Howard Murad, Murad Skincare
Dr Rekha Tailor of Health & Aesthetics
Dr Angela Tewari, CeraVe Consultant Dermatologist
Dr Kieren Bong, Cosmetic Doctor and founder of Essence Medical Cosmetic
What causes body acne?
Body acne is caused by the same mechanisms as facial acne. If the skin produces excess sebum (and higher levels of cortisol causes your skin's glands to produce more pores) they can become clogged by the sebum and dead skin cells. This provides the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
Commonly affected areas are the chest, back, neck, shoulders, and even buttocks,' explains Dr Shotter. ‘A common misconception is that acne is caused by eating greasy foods or being dirty, however, this is absolutely not the case,’ adds Dr Tailor.
What about back acne?
‘Bacne can be caused by various factors, primarily due to the overproduction of sebum which clogs pores and leads to acne,’ says Dr Bong. He also suggests that sweat from heat or exercise and wearing tight clothing can increase sebum production, trapping bacteria and oil against the skin.
Acne in general is also linked to hormone levels, so you may have noticed your first flare-up during puberty. As an adult, you’re more likely to spot back acne around your menstrual cycle or during pregnancy as your hormones fluctuate.
And butt?
Okay, here's the thing: acne on your bum isn't actually acne. Pimples that appear on your bum are caused by inflamed hair follicles, also known as folliculitis, and not by stress or hormones. Bum acne tends to look more like a red and bumpy rash, so you may not even know you have it.
Who's the culprit? The main reason why you may experience butt-nae is down to irritation (i.e, clothes or tight underwear rubbing), infection by bacteria, yeast or fungus or the hair follicles getting clogged.
Why am I suddenly getting acne all over my body?
'Acne mechanica can also be an issue on the body, where spots are caused by friction. This can be due to tight-fitting clothing such as sports gear, for example,' adds Dr Shotter.
'If you’ve never had body acne before and suddenly develop it, question whether it could be friction-related and whether you’ve recently changed the type of clothes you wear or bags you carry.' Dr Shotter says that other things which could cause body acne to develop suddenly are:
Hormonal changes
Certain medications
Diet
Stress
Genetics
Medical conditions like PCOS
How can you get rid of body acne?
'When it comes to your skincare routine, you shouldn’t be ignoring your skin from the neck down; after all your skin covers your entire body and not just your face,' says Dr Sonia. Your skin has the same needs all over, so it's important to show your body the same love as you do to your face. Luckily, the pros have provided the best tips for the job.
1. Use a body wash that contains salicylic acid
'To reduce back acne, start with proper hygiene. Shower immediately after sweating and use a gentle cleanser that contains acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide,' says Dr Bong. This will help to exfoliate the skin and regulate sebum production, meaning fewer spots. 'You should exfoliate once a week with a mild scrub to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores,' he adds.
Dr Sonia also suggests washing your body gently: 'Astringents and abrasive scrubs can worsen acne; same for loofahs and back brushes. For best results, you’ll want to use gentle, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic skincare products,' she advises.
2. Think about what you're eating
Studies have suggested that there's a link between eating a lot of refined sugar – think biscuits, cakes and chocolate – and acne. There's no need to ditch things you enjoy entirely when you fuse them into a wider balanced diet, but go gently with your consumption. 'Your eating habits make a big difference,' says Dr Murad. 'The healthier we are from the inside the healthier we look from the outside'.
‘Step away from the processed food and unhealthy snacks and move towards a Mediterranean-style diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy fats and good sources of protein such as fish along with more complex carbohydrates (brown bread, brown rice and pulses),’ suggests Dr Tailor.
‘By switching up your eating habits, you can avoid causing rapid rises in blood sugar and insulin levels that will provoke an outbreak of spots. The added benefits of the nutrients and vitamins provided by the fresh fruit, vegetables and salads will all boost your skin,’ she adds.
3. Consider your clothes
As Dr Shotter said, friction can also cause spots. Spending the whole day in a tight-fitting gym kit? Maybe switch it out for something a little looser. 'Wearing clothes that allow the skin to breathe, such as natural cotton fibres, is advisable,' says Dr Tailor.
4. Apply skincare actives to affected areas
Products such as benzoyl peroxide, retinol or antibiotic gels can also be useful. ‘Azeliac acid is an effective treatment for both mild hormonal and cystic acne,’ says Dr Tailor. ‘Products that contain this help to reduce swelling and inflammation as well as unblocking pores and killing acne-causing bacteria. Best of all it is considered safe to use in pregnancy, so gives pregnant people dealing with acne a great skincare option.’
5. Wash away sweat
'Working out can cause excessive sweating which can create a build-up of oil, dirt, and bacteria on your skin — all of which can be the perfect recipe for acne. However, exercise is a good mood booster so I would not advise against working out. I would just recommend that you shower and change clothes ASAP after working out and wash your workout clothes regularly,' says Dr Sonia.
6. Try in-clinic treatments
'There are also excellent in-clinic options that can complement good home care – body peels can give excellent results, as can Hydrafacial on the body,' says Dr Shotter. Dr Bong also suggests a treatment called Sylfirm X for persistent acne and post-acne scars.
'Sylfirm X combines the proven technology of microneedling with radiofrequency energy and pulsed wave technology to treat and target an array of concerns including acne scarring. Incorporating this treatment can significantly improve skin texture and appearance – laser treatments are also an excellent choice,' he says.
7. Don't touch
As with any spots, try not to touch your body acne other than when you're applying products with clean hands. Doing so speeds up the bacteria that cause acne. 'Using pimple patches (like Hero’s Mighty Patch Surface) can be very useful here as it can help against accidentally picking the spot and also helps it to heal in a moist environment,' says Dr Sonia.
Can you use the same facial acne products on your body?
'The skin on your body has very similar needs to those of your face, and products for the body should contain the same important ingredients as face products. So the answer is, yes, you can use the same products,' explains Dr Sonia.
'However, applying them on places like your back or large areas of your body can be quite tricky and you may need some help. Cleansers are great for this as can be easily applied/washed off, but creams are a bit trickier to apply, especially on your back,' says Dr Sonia.
What type of acne is most likely to be found on your body?
Here’s the thing: while body acne can be less noticeable compared to facial acne (especially if yours is positioned on your behind) it can actually be more persistent and challenging to get rid of. However, the process of acne formation is the same.
'When it comes to back acne I often see pustules [small, pus-filled, surface-level spots] and papules [well-defined and inflamed bumps] compared to comedones [blackheads],' says Dr Tewari. 'In milder cases, I'll often see papules and whiteheads, while cysts and nodules, which are deeper and more painful, will appear in more severe cases. The back is also more prone to cystic acne due to having larger sebaceous glands,’ says Dr Bong.
When do you see a dermatologist?
If things are really bad and persisting over months, it might be time to call in the big guns. If you head to your GP, you might be able to get a referral to a dermatologist. If you have the means, you could also see about booking a private appointment.
'Sometimes back acne will need a course of antibiotics if yours isn’t clearing after over-the-counter treatments,' says Dr Tewri. 'Also, if you feel like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation spots are causing an issue for you, I would consider seeing a dermatologist.'
'A skincare professional can offer treatments such as prescription medicines, chemical peels or laser therapy which can be more effective than over-the-counter options. Early intervention can also prevent acne from worsening and will reduce the risk of permanent scarring,' says Dr Bond.
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