The Common Causes of Bacne—and How to Address It

When acne pops up on your face, there’s a good chance you know exactly what to do to clear things up ASAP. But when acne makes its presence known on other parts of your body—like your back—the situation can sometimes feel a bit more daunting. Back acne, or “bacne” as some call it, can be a frustrating, uncomfortable, and annoying skincare issue, especially as summer rolls around and you’re eager to show off a bit more skin. Plus, even if you know exactly which products to use to treat back acne, your back can be a tricky part of the body to reach.

Read on to learn more about “bacne,” including why it might happen, how it’s different from other types of acne, and how to treat it, with expertise shared by board-certified dermatologists Richard Bottiglione, MD, and Hannah Kopelman, MD.

Overview of Acne

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition where your pores become clogged with sebum (oil) and skin cells, which can cause your skin to break out. You might experience symptoms like pimples, swelling, and redness. Facial acne is most common, but it can happen on your back, shoulders, and other parts of your body, too. Some types of acne you might experience include blackheads, whiteheads, inflamed papules, pus-filled pimples, deep nodules, and cystic acne.

Understanding “Bacne”

Back acne, or “bacne,” is a common type of acne that occurs on the back, just as the name implies. “It can present itself in various forms, including pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, and cysts,” says Kopelman. “The acne on your back is similar to [that] your face. However, the skin on the back is thicker and contains larger and denser oil glands than facial skin, leading to more significant blockages and larger, often more painful, bigger acne bumps.”

Typically, back acne is caused by sweat and oil in the pores, which contributes to bacteria and acne, Bottiglione tells us. “It’s not really any different from acne present in other areas of the body,” he says. “[But] it can be harder to personally treat because it’s hard for someone to see or reach their back.”

Causes

Back acne can happen for many reasons, from staying in your workout gear for too long after your favorite fitness class to surging hormones throughout your menstrual cycle. Here are some common causes of back acne:

• Excess oil production: Your back is full of sweat glands that produce oil (sebum) and can contribute to acne formation. “When there is an overproduction of sebum, it can mix with dead skin cells” and bacteria, clogging your pores. “All these things can lead to acne and inflammation,” Kopelman says.
• Hormones: Changing hormone levels (like during pregnancy, puberty, or different phases of your menstrual cycle) can increase sebum production and contribute to breakouts.
• Sweating: When you sweat, your sweat can mix with bacteria and oils on your skin, clogging your pores and contributing to “bacne.”
• Friction from your clothing: Friction from tight-fitting clothing and backpacks can sometimes trigger “bacne,” Kopelman says.
• Haircare products: “People often don’t think about this one, but if you have long hair and use hair gels or shampoos and conditioners it can be contributing to clogging the pores on your back,” Kopelman says.
• Not showering after a workout: It’s important to shower and change into dry clothing after a workout. If you don’t it can increase your likelihood of experiencing “bacne,” Kopelman says.
• Genetics: Kopelman tells us a family history of acne or “bacne” can increase your likelihood of developing it.
• Bacteria on your skin: “Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria, which naturally reside on the skin, can multiply and cause inflammation when pores are clogged,” Kopelman says.
• The foods you eat and your overall stress levels: “Dietary factors—such as consuming high glycemic foods or dairy products—and stress, which can trigger hormonal changes that increase sebum production, are also contributing factors,” Kopelman says.

Risk Factors

Many different risk factors can increase your likelihood of experiencing back acne, such as undergoing a ton of stress or having family members with back acne. Here are a few common risk factors, shared by Kopelman:

• Age: Age is a risk factor for many types of acne, with teens and young adults often more prone to acne because of the hormonal changes common around this time of life, Kopelman says.
• Family history: If you have family members with back acne, you may be more likely to experience it, too.
• Lifestyle factors: High stress levels, poor nutritional habits, and lack of proper skincare or hygiene practices are some of the lifestyle factors that can contribute to back acne.
• Physical activity: If you play sports, use greasy skincare or cosmetic products, or engage in other activities that contribute to excess sweating or friction, you could be more likely to have “bacne.”

Prevention and Treatment

The good news for people dealing with back acne is that you have a lot of treatment options. And beyond treatment, you can also make some lifestyle changes to prevent it. Here are some tips for “bacne” prevention and treatment:

Preventing Back Acne

Your best options for preventing back acne include lifestyle changes like:

• Regularly wash your back with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, sweat, and oil. This will help keep your skin clean.
• Exfoliate to remove dead skin cells that might clog your pores.
• Shower right away if you’re sweaty from a workout or time in warm weather.
• Wearing breathable, loose, and moisture-wicking clothing can help reduce friction and keep you more comfortable.
• Change out of sweaty workout gear immediately, including your sports bra and t-shirt.
• Use non-comedogenic skincare and haircare products to avoid clogging your pores.
• Clean your sheets, towels, and linens regularly.

Treating Back Acne

To treat back acne, it’s important to keep your skin clean. This is especially true if you’re sweating or spending time outside where excess oil and dirt can accumulate on your skin.

Over-the-counter topical creams, gels, and cleansers can help address back acne. Many of these products contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic acid. “Typically for the back you can try four percent or ten percent benzoyl peroxide; if you use 10 percent, the likelihood of irritation [increase],” Kopelman says. “If you can’t tolerate benzoyl peroxide, you can try a salicylic acid cleanser or spray.”

Retinoids are another option, but Kopelman explains it’s important not to use these as spot treatments. Stridex wipes and other cleansing pads can be a good option for keeping your skin clean. In-office treatments like chemical peels or laser therapy can also be helpful.

If your back acne is severe, you may need to check with your dermatologist or primary care physician about using prescription medication like oral or topical antibiotics, retinoids, or hormonal treatments. “People should know that back acne can be persistent and it is very stubborn to treat,” Kopelman says. “I typically recommend a combination of therapies for the effective management and best outcomes.” 

The Final Takeaway 

Back acne, or “bacne” is a common skincare condition where acne occurs on your back, often due to sweat, sebum, dirt, and bacteria clogging your pores. Keeping your sweaty workout gear on for too long is a major contributor, and dirty linens and friction from clothing and backpacks play into the mix, too, among other factors.

If you’re trying to get rid of back acne once and for all, you have options. You can make lifestyle changes to prevent it and try using over-the-counter topical skincare products to clear up back acne when it occurs. Products containing benzoyl peroxide are solid options, and you’ll want to use a non-comedogenic cleanser to keep your skin clean. Book an appointment with a dermatologist if your “bacne” persists or is highly uncomfortable.