Back acne, we all hate it, yet most of us have it. For those suffering from annoying and unpredictable pimples, it can cause a lot of stress and worry, hit our self-confidence, and ruin our excitement about wearing tank tops and dresses in the summer. It may feel like there is no hope but don’t worry because, just like the acne we treat on our face, we can also treat the acne on our back, but we need to use a special rule book for back acne.
The best way to treat stubborn back acne is to know what causes it and then prevent it. Even though there is a cause, there is also a cure!

Quick Breakdown

Just like facial acne, there are a few similar factors that contribute to back acne; excess oil, dead skin cells, and a build-up of bacteria. When this happens, our skin becomes more prone to blocked pores, redness, and inflammation. Combine this with daily habits, such as bathing, our diet, and our clothing and we have a storm of ‘backne’ breakouts.

Causes & Cure

• Create a new skincare routine for your back
  Oil and dead skin cells become trapped and block our pores, leading to breakouts, so, it's important to look for body wash products that use ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid. These ingredients will gently exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells that are blocking pores and causing breakouts.
  Spot treatments/ sprays are available to use after your shower routine to target and improve the appearance of back acne.

• Wash excess Shampoo & Conditioner
  Sometimes back acne is caused by how we wash our hair. When washing our hair, the product can sit directly on our back and if we don’t wash it off properly, then it will seep into the skin. The best way to prevent this is by clipping your hair up after washing and conditioning and making sure that you wash your body after washing your hair.  

• Shower & Change after working out
  Not showering after a workout can be one of the biggest causes of back acne, so after a sweaty workout it’s important not to fester in the sweat of your clothing. So, once you’re home, remove your gym clothes and shower asap and this will prevent sweat from mixing with bacteria and causing back acne.

• Change your sheets regularly
  Many hair and skin products contain oil that remains on our clothes and bedding and this can be transferred onto our clothing and bedding. According to the ADD, it only takes a week for these oils to mix with bacteria and dead skin cells, so it’s important to wash clothes and sheets regularly to prevent these oils and bacteria from transferring onto the skin.

• Inside Out (Skin friendly food)
  It is a known fact that what we put into our bodies affects the appearance of our bodies and skin. So for back acne, it's important to eat foods that are rich in vitamins and anti-inflammatory nutrients, as this will prevent triggering bad back acne. Foods to add to your diet include fish, tomatoes, leafy green veg, and avocados. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water, as this will keep your skin balanced and healthy.

Sometimes it feels like looking after our body can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. There are so many factors that add to our skin's unpredictability. We’re all human and acne is something that we all end up dealing with at some point in our lives. Just do what you can to look after and support your skin's health.