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Below-the-Neck Breakouts Deserve Their Own Special Treatments
Acne isn’t just a face-centric problem—body breakouts are equally, if not more, frustrating and stubborn. The best body acne treatments are game changers, targeting flare-ups wherever pores and hair follicles exist, whether that’s your butt, chest, or back—and many come in easy-to-use sprays, sticks, pads, and lotions you can work them into your routine without extra hassle. Whatever the format, trust that these formulas are packed with powerhouse actives such as salicylic acid to bust into clogged pores and sweep away debris, smooth texture, and help existing acne heal faster. We spoke to board-certified dermatologists and Allure editors to get the scoop on the body acne treatments that help clear their skin from the neck down and prevent future breakouts from popping up.
Our Top Body Acne Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick
Why it’s worth it: The beauty of a stick product (versus a spray) is how easy it is to apply exactly where you need it. The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Body Stick lets you easily target rough, bumpy, or acne-prone areas—think underarms, the backs of your arms, inner thighs, or even your chest and back. Swipe it on in the morning post-shower to keep things clean all day, or toss it in your bag for post-workout touch-ups or extra-sweaty days. The formula combines 7% glycolic acid and 0.5% salicylic acid to gently exfoliate dead skin, unclog pores, and help reduce keratosis pilaris, rough texture, ingrown hairs, body breakouts, and the list goes on. To balance out the acids, it’s also infused with hydrating shea butter to help soften skin and prevent irritation.
“I didn’t think I’d ever need a skin-care stick, but The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Stick has been such a win. I was struggling with back acne for months, and nothing worked (not even the prescription stuff), but this is ridiculously easy to use—just swipe it on like a deodorant wherever you need it, and you’re good. I’ve mostly used it on my back for some stubborn texture, and it’s made a noticeable difference in just a couple of weeks. It doesn’t feel harsh, and I love that there’s no mess—no liquids, no cotton pads, just grab and go. Honestly, it’s become one of those products I don’t want to be without.” —Angela Trakoshis, shopping market editor
- Key ingredients: 7% glycolic acid, 0.5% salicylic acid, shea butter
- Who it’s for: people with KP, ingrown hairs, and body acne who want a targeted treatment
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Hyperpigmentation: First Aid Beauty Acne Clearing Pads
First Aid Beauty
Acne Clearing Pads
Why it’s worth it: These Acne Clearing pads from First Aid Beauty are so handy to keep in your bag for a quick midday refresher or post-shower swipe to help unclog pores and sweep away buildup. They’re also gentle enough for your face if you’re dealing with breakouts, rough texture, or dullness all over.. Formulated with 2% salicylic acid (spotting a trend?), they help clear excess oil and minimize the look of pores without drying your skin out. They’re also infused with rosemary extract, which lends a fresh, clean feeling, especially on hot, sweaty days when you’re trying to keep new breakouts at bay.
Tester feedback from contributing editor Deanna Pai
“Since I’m not going to slather my chest and back with my fancy azelaic acid serum, I use these convenient pads to make quick work of breakouts below the neck. They’re easy to swipe on in the mornings, and I can reach my upper back without much contortion. They help resolve zits more quickly, and my post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is pretty much nonexistent as a result, too.”—Deanna Pai, contributing editor
- Key ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, rosemary
- Who it’s for: people with chest acne and texture
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Byoma Smoothing Body Serum
Byoma
Smoothing Body Serum
Why it’s worth it: Married to your body lotion? One use of Byoma’s Smoothing Body Serum might have you rethinking the relationship. Chicago-based dermatologist Kristen Lee, MD, previously told Allure that succinic acid—it’s included in this formula—has exfoliative properties, in addition to antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. It’s also powered by a Barrier Lipid Complex (including ceramides) to strengthen and restore your skin barrier, plus blue tansy to calm redness and irritation. This multitasking formula hydrates and tackles rough patches, body acne, keratosis pilaris, and uneven texture on your arms and legs.
The texture is lightweight and sinks in fast, making it the perfect post-shower step to keep skin smooth, clear, and bright all day. Bonus: It’s safe for sensitive skin types, something you don’t always get with acid-powered formulas.
“When I first started reading reviews, a lot of people praised the smoothing, quick-drying formula of Byoma’s Smoothing Body Serum, but complained about the scent. I agree with the first part, but totally disagree on the second. To me, it smells like a hotel spa in the best way. It actually lingers on the skin, and I catch soft whiffs of it throughout the day—it’s like a little hit of calm. The texture is super lightweight but still gives me that clean, fresh glow. I love layering it under a richer moisturizer to boost the smoothing effect and seal everything in.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
- Key ingredients: Barrier Lipid Complex, succinic acid, ceramides, blue tansy
- Who it’s for: everyone
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Bacne: Glytone Acne Back & Chest Treatment Spray
Glytone
Acne Back & Chest Treatment Spray
Why it’s worth it: After cleansing, Texas-based, board-certified dermatologist Heidi Prather, MD, suggests applying a toner with acne-fighting ingredients. Targeting tough-to-reach areas like the back can be challenging, but that’s where a product like the quick-drying Glytone Acne Treatment Spray Back & Chest comes in. “Because the back is a hard-to-reach area to apply topicals, look for user-friendly products in a spray bottle that you can mist on your back, such as this bacne spray formulated with 2% salicylic acid,” she explains. Centella asiatica, also known as cica, helps soothe the skin and balance the actives.
- Key ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, cica, gluconolactone
- Who it’s for: people looking to prevent body acne
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Exfoliating Lotion: CeraVe SA Lotion
Why it’s worth it: New York City-based board-certified dermatologist David Kim, MD, is a fan of CeraVe’s SA Lotion (and the matching SA Body Wash) because it pairs gentle exfoliation with deep hydration, a.k.a. salicylic and lactic acids with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides. While Dr. Kim points out that CeraVe doesn’t disclose the exact percentage of salicylic acid—so it may be milder than some of the more targeted treatments on this list—it still makes a solid choice for everyday use. Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), is oil-soluble (a.k.a. oil-loving), which Dr. Kim explains makes it especially effective at clearing excess oil and keeping pores clean. And unlike some body lotions that can feel heavy or clog pores, this one is lightweight and nongreasy, making it an ideal companion to stronger acne-fighting products.
- Key ingredients: salicylic acid, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
- Who it’s for: people with body acne and/or excess oil buildup
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Exfoliating Body Wash: Panoxyl Acne Treatment Bar
Panoxyl
Acne Treatment Bar
Why it’s worth it: PanOxyl has long been a go-to name in the drugstore acne aisle, but this Acne Treatment Bar stands out as a body breakout hero. It’s formulated with 10% benzoyl peroxide, one of the highest concentrations available over the counter to help unclog pores, kill acne-causing bacteria, and visibly reduce breakouts on the chest, back, and arms.
- Key ingredients: 10% benzoyl peroxide
- Who it’s for: people with body and face acne
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Redness: Topicals Clearly Clarifying & Calming Mist
Topicals
Clearly Clarifying & Calming Mist
Why it’s worth it: This Topicals’ Clearly Clarifying & Calming Mist instantly soothes irritated, red skin. Like many products on this list, it’s powered by 2% salicylic acid to help unclog pores and soak up excess oil, but it doesn’t stop there. The formula also includes hypochlorous acid and glycolic acid to help brighten dull, uneven skin, plus allantoin to calm and comfort. It’s lightweight, refreshing, and super easy to mist over hard-to-reach areas like your back or shoulders. And yes, it’s safe (and recommended) for your face—just make sure to keep your eyes closed, since salicylic acid and eyeballs don’t mix well.
- Key ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, hypochlorous acid, glycolic acid, allantoin
- Who it’s for: people with sensitive, acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is body acne?
Body acne arises from “the inconvenient and unfortunate cycle of clogged pores, inflammation, and poor skin turnover,” says Dr. Prather. She explains that back acne can appear as small blackheads, inflammatory pustules, or sometimes deep, tender cystic lesions.
What’s the best way to treat body acne?
To start, Dr. Prather encourages her patients to identify anything that might be triggering outbreaks. “Hair products such as conditioners or leave-in products that contain silicones and oils can leave a residue on your skin, resulting in clogged pores and acne,” she notes. “Screen your products for ingredients that are known to be comedogenic, and when getting a massage, opt for lighter lotions in place of heavy creams and massage oils that can exacerbate acne.”
After eliminating potential triggers, look for over-the-counter treatments that target body acne—just don’t treat your back like your face. “Although our back skin seems tough, it [usually] cannot handle the same acne treatment routines we use on our face,” warns Dr. Prather. A study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that back acne is often more sensitive due to a weaker skin barrier and microbial imbalances, especially when combined with harsh cleansers. “This discrepancy may lead to a vicious cycle in which the natural lipid barrier of the back is compromised, promoting further oil production and microbial imbalance,” explains New York-based board-certified dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD. She recommends a gentler approach: pH-balanced cleansers with humectants like glycerin, followed by a lightweight, non-comedogenic lotion with ceramides and niacinamide. Another tip? Use actives like benzoyl peroxide sparingly (no more than a few times a week and ideally over moisturizer).
Meet the experts
- David Kim, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Heidi Prather, MD, a Texas-based board-certified dermatologist
- Kseniya Kobets, MD, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
