Bacne: what it is, why it starts and how to get rid of it

Acne on your face is challenging enough – but adding body breakouts into the equation? It can be a lot. Back acne is also known as bacne and (more technically) truncal acne and it is a tricky skin concern to tackle.

The original version of this article was reviewed by Dr. Corey L. Hartman, dermatologist

That’s why we’ve compiled the research so you can understand what causes bacne and, more importantly, so you can make use of the science-backed tips that will help you see clear skin results.

Quick breakdown:
What is bacne?
How to get rid of bacne
What does bacne look like?
What causes bacne?
How to prevent bacne
How to clear bacne scars

What is bacne?

Bacne is exactly what it sounds like – it's the occurrence of breakouts and blemishes on the back. This can include red bumps, whiteheads and blackheads. Bacne is a form of truncal acne, which also causes acne on the shoulders, chest, neck and arms.

Back acne can look very similar to other skin concerns that show up on the back, shoulders and upper arms, for example keratosis pilaris. KP is when excess keratin builds up in hair follicles (folliculitis) and then the hair follicles become inflamed. Like KP, acne on your bum can also happen because of folliculitis, while bacne is usually due to other causes.

How to get rid of bacne

Thankfully, reducing spots on your back is straightforward. You can get rid of bacne with a simple skincare routine that has the best products for bacne:

Cleanse with a body wash that’s gentle & free from fragrant and sensitising ingredients
Apply a salicylic acid bacne exfoliant to help improve the appearance of hard clogged pores & leave skin softer & smoother
Hydrate your skin with a 5% Niacinamide Body Serum to restore the skin barrier & even out skin tone

What does bacne look like?

One of the struggles is that you often feel it before you see it, unlike spots on your face. By the time you realise you have breakouts on your back, it’s likely got to a painful stage. Back acne symptoms are quite similar to face breakouts:

Redness from irritation
Discomfort from swollen, inflamed skin
Changes in skin colour from PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
Different forms of breakouts, including whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules & nodular acne (AKA severe acne)

What causes bacne?

It is caused by an imbalance in Cutibacterium acnes bacteria. This overgrowth / imbalance causes inflammation which leads to breakouts, as the bacteria feeds on excess sebum (oil), tiny hairs and debris both on the skin and within pores. This then creates inflammatory free fatty acids. It’s the same process as face acne.

But there are some circumstances, both in and out of your control, that we see as bacne causes:

Genetics & family history
Elevated stress levels which compound skin inflammation
Life changes, such as puberty or pregnancy
Unwashed clothing & bedsheets
Lack of attention to proper cleansing: “It’s easy to forget to wash the back and hard to reach the back to clean it effectively,” says Dr. Hartman
Bodycare with irritating or breakout-causing ingredients or with thick, creamy textures
Pore-clogging hair products or unwashed hair: if you have long hair that touches your back, shoulders or chest, the ingredients contained in haircare (such as saturated oils like coconut, plant butters, or thick waxes) can trigger acne breakouts as well as the natural oils from unwashed hair
Tight clothing or friction from clothing: the science says that skin on the back, arms & shoulders is more vulnerable to stimuli that encourages breakouts (& that stimuli are any clothes that rub or fit snug against your skin)
Sweating during workouts & staying in wet clothes: “Moist conditions encourage proliferation of bacteria,” says dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman, “Also working in hot, humid conditions may exacerbate bacne.”

How to prevent bacne

So now we know the causes of bacne, it’s easier to break down just how to make it better with a bacne routine for good daily practices:

Practice mindful techniques to manage stress: the science says there’s a connection between acne & stress, so this is just another excuse to make time for meditation or a mental health walk
Regularly wash clothes & bedsheets
Opt for thin, lightweight textures instead of heavy body lotions
Choose an up-do when the skin on your back is exposed, so your back has less exposure to oily hairstyling products
Wash gym clothes & gear, use body wipes & exfoliating toner pads to quickly eliminate oil & sweat after a workout (if you don’t have time for a post-gym shower)
Choose breathable fabrics & loose-fitting clothing (when possible) to avoid friction, also consider the length of time you’re wearing backpacks etc.
“Chemical peels have proven to be an effective means of controlling bacne and the dark spots that it can leave behind,” adds Dr. Hartman

How to clear bacne scars

If you have back acne, you’ve probably noticed acne scars, which are red or brown marks that show up once a breakout fades away. Back acne marks can go away if you keep consistent with your bacne skincare routine and add in a few more products for bacne scars to your weekly rotation:

10% AHA body lotion with glycolic acid to exfoliate surface skin for a brighter & smoother appearance
Retinol body treatment to target pathways within the skin that can otherwise lead to dark spots
You might also want to consider a vitamin C formula, which is known for its ability to fade discolourations