The Ultimate Beauty Guide

Zits suck. Period. Sure, when they’re on your face, you can always dab on some concealer...but that’s not so easy when they're on your back. So try these products that will banish bacne—and any other pesky body acne—once and for all.

An Acne-Fighting Regimen


Anytime you workout, your adrenal glands pump out testosterone, which makes your skin produce more pore-clogging oil.

Keep your back skin clear by treating it the same way you would your face: First, use a salicylic-based acne-clearing regimen to exfoliate skin and kill any bacteria that cause pimples. Then, treat it with a medicated lotion with benzoyl peroxide, and top it with SPF.

Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System, $25.

Clarifying Spray


Obviously, the major problem with bacne is that it's hard to reach. The answer: a spray! You can mist on the medicine (this one contains retinol and salicylic acid) from any direction.

Murad Clarifying Body Spray, $37.

Medicated Pads


Tight-fitting clothes, like your sports bra, trap perspiration, which then mixes with bacteria, dirt, and oil on your skin, triggering a breakout.

The fix: Swipe your back with one of these jumbo pads before you hit the gym to reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin. They're great for all-over acne fighting and contain salicyclic acid to get rid of breakouts, green tea to calm inflammation, and witch hazel to make your skin feel refreshed.

Proactive Clear Zone Body Pads, $22.

A Medicated Soap


Whether you realize it or not, the products you put in your hair could be causing back breakouts.

How? The ingredients they contain are designed to cling to your hair, so they may stick to your skin too, eventually plugging up your pores.

To keep your stylers from bringing on blemishes, wash and rinse your hair first, then soap up your body to get rid of any residue. It's also a good idea to get dressed, or put a towel over your back, before applying your hair products.

VMV Hypoallergenics Id Buff-Buff Apricot + Salicylic Clarifying Soap with salicylic acid, $12.

Body Wash


This body wash does double-duty: It treats zits as it cleanses your skin. So, if you prefer a liquid sudser over bar soap, this one also contains salicylic acid to help prevent breakouts.

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash, $8.29.