If you’re struggling to treat body breakouts, this helpful guide has all the tips & advice you need to help keep blemishes at bay
This article uses the terms ‘female/woman/women’. Please note, this is in reference to the sex assigned at birth. We know and understand that trans and non-binary people will equally need support and their sex assigned at birth might not match their gender identity. Please assume positive intent wherever gendered language has been used.
On this page:
What does acne on your body mean?
How do I get rid of body acne?
Top lifestyle tips to help with body acne
What is acne?
Acne is a common skin condition that affects around 95% of people aged 11 to 30. While it may be most common in teenagers and younger adults, for some people it can stem beyond their mid-twenties.
There are six main types of spots caused by acne. These are blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts. You can find out more about acne, including the different types of spots on our Acne Health Hub. Or have a read of our article on common acne myths: debunked.
What does acne on your body mean?
Acne most commonly develops on the face, back and chest. The term ‘body acne’ is used to describe breakouts that crop up on different parts of the body other than the face.
Common areas affected by body acne are:
- Neck
- Back (often referred to as ‘bacne’)
- Chest
- Shoulders
Sebaceous glands are present in our skin and found all over the body (except for the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet). These glands produce sebum (an oily substance) and are a natural lubrication that help protect the skin from friction, moisture loss or brittle hair and infections caused by bacteria and fungi. These glands can become clogged, and lead to symptoms of acne.
If you experience body acne, try not to worry as it’s often not a cause for concern. Understandably, it can feel stressful if breakouts become persistent but there are treatments out there that can help.
What causes body acne?
There are different types of spots caused by acne, like papules and blackheads, which each present in a different way. Some people are at an increased risk of developing acne if it runs in their family. Typically, both body acne and facial acne are frequently caused by the same trigger – clogged pores. Hormonal imbalances, bacteria, smoking, certain cosmetic products and medications can also trigger a flare-up.
The sebaceous glands are attached to your hair follicles (the holes that individual hair grows out of) and are located near the surface of your skin. They help keep the skin lubricated and prevent it from drying out by producing sebum.
Acne develops when your glands have produced too much sebum and consequently blocks the skin’s pores, triggering a breakout. Bacteria that live on your skin can invade and infect the blocked pore, causing papules, pustules, nodules or cysts to develop.
Can body acne be hormonal?
Generally speaking, acne can start at any age but is commonly linked to changes in hormone levels, particularly during puberty. There are certain levels of hormones, like testosterone, that increase during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to produce larger amounts of oil than the skin needs. This is termed abnormal sebum, which leads to acne breakouts.
For many women, acne can also develop from hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, the menstrual cycle or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Each can lead to episodes of acne breakouts. The same applies to body acne.
How do I get rid of body acne?
Although there is no cure for body acne, there are products available that can help you manage it.
If your acne symptoms are mild and you’re experiencing a small number of spots, you can speak to a pharmacist who can advise you on treatments such as over-the-counter gels or creams containing benzoyl peroxide, which works as an antiseptic and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
It’s important to persist with treatment as it can take several months before acne symptoms improve.
If you find the medicine from your pharmacy team hasn’t worked and your body acne is becoming more severe, you can seek treatment from your GP. They may prescribe the following medicines:
- Topical retinoids – help remove dead skin cells to prevent build up within hair follicles
- Topical antibiotics – help kill the bacteria on the skin, preventing infection of plugged hair follicles
- Antibiotic tablets – usually used in combination with a topical treatment
- Azelaic acid – kills bacteria and helps remove dead skin cells
Some women can also be prescribed the combined oral contraceptive pill to help improve their acne. Want to know more about them? Read our guide to different types of contraceptive pills.
You can also consider treatment through the Boots Online Doctor Acne Treatment service* if your body acne is mild to moderate. There is no appointment needed, all you have to do is complete a confidential online consultation, which will be reviewed by one of our clinicians. If appropriate, treatment will be prescribed which you can choose to collect in store or have delivered to your door.
Top lifestyle tips to help with body acne
Maintaining healthy skin habits and refining your routine can be useful. Take a look at our four top tips to help with body acne.
Tip 1: Wear loose clothing
Not only will this let your skin breathe but it also minimises the risk of dirt and bacteria getting trapped by tight clothing. When dirt gets trapped in our clothing it can lead to the development of blemishes, particularly on our chest and back. Try sticking to loose, breathable fabrics, like cotton.
Tip 2: Look after your skin
Do not wash affected areas of skin more than twice a day. Frequent washing can irritate the skin and make symptoms worse. Wash the affected area with a mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm water. Very hot or cold water can make acne worse. Shower as soon as possible once you finish exercising as sweat can irritate your acne.
Tip 3: Avoid picking your body acne
Although it can be tempting to squeeze or pick spots on your body this is something you should refrain from doing. Your fingers harbour dirt and bacteria, if they come into contact with body acne it can worsen your breakouts and can lead to permanent scarring. If you do come into contact with your body acne, make washing your hands a priority to prevent bacteria from spreading.
Tip 4: Use non-comedogenic bodycare products
Non-comedogenic is a term used to describe products that contain ingredients that don’t clog or block pores. When pores get blocked, this can lead to the development of acne. Non-comedogenic products can help hydrate the skin, minimising the risk of acne.
Take a look at our range of products for acne-prone skin to help you get started. Please note, these products will not treat acne but are suitable for acne-prone skin.
You can try body washes for acne-prone skin containing ingredients like:
- Salicylic acid which helps to exfoliate the skin and dissolve away dead skin cells, oil and other debris causing acne blockages
- Sulfur which helps to dry skin out and absorb excess oil. It’s often combined with other ingredients like resorcinol which helps disinfect skin
When should I see a dermatologist about body acne?
Your GP can refer you to a dermatologist if you’re experiencing severe body acne and are struggling to treat it with prescription medicines. Consider talking to your GP, if:
- A large number of spots on your chest, back and face have developed
- You are at risk of scarring or already have scarring
- You have painful nodules. These are hard lumps located beneath the surface of your skin
- Your body acne is starting to affect your mental health
Your dermatologist may recommend a combination of topical treatments or combine them with antibiotic tablets. At the start of your treatment, you may not notice an immediate improvement in your condition. Try not to worry as this is normal. It can take several months of treatment before acne symptoms improve so persistence is key with acne treatment.
If you would like to find out more about body acne, you can visit Boots Online Doctor. Alternatively, you can speak to your pharmacy team or GP for further advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘anxiety acne’ look like?
From whiteheads and blackheads to papules and pustules, there are several different types of acne spots which may all look different. There isn’t one set type associated with feelings of anxiety, but experiencing long-term everyday stress can lead to an increase in a hormone called cortisol which, in turn, can increase the amount of sebum (oil) your skin produces. For some people, this can trigger acne or make it worse.
How do I know if my acne is hormonal or related to everyday stress?
It can often be hard to determine the exact cause of acne, but both hormonal changes and everyday stress are known to be triggers. Acne in teenagers is most commonly linked to hormonal shifts during puberty. Women can also be affected throughout the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Persistent stressful feelings can lead to an increase in sebum production in your skin, possibly triggering acne or making it worse.
The best way to help determine the possible cause of your acne is to speak to a GP to discuss your symptoms and any current lifestyle factors or hormonal changes, that could be contributing to your breakouts. They can help provide advice and treatment options for managing your acne.
What age is acne the worst?
Acne can affect people of any age, however, it’s most common in teenagers and young adults. According to the NHS, it’s thought to affect around 95% of people aged 11 to 30 and most often seen in girls aged 14 to 17 and boys aged 16 to 19. That being said, it can affect adults beyond the age of 30, too, with contributing factors ranging from hormonal shifts to genetics or lifestyle factors.
What time of year is acne the worst?
Acne can affect people at any time of year and there currently isn’t enough evidence to say whether acne is worse in one season compared to another.
For some, hotter weather during the summer months can lead to an increase in sweat which can contribute to blocked pores and may trigger more acne breakouts. For others, winter can lead to drier skin which can disrupt its protective barrier, allowing more bacteria to enter and trigger breakouts.
What is the white stuff coming out of my skin pores?
If you’ve noticed a white substance coming out of your pores, usually on your nose or chin, you’re not alone. This is known as a sebaceous filament and is made up of sebum (the oil produced by your skin) and dead skin cells. It’s important not to squeeze this out and instead take care of your skin by using a consistent skincare routine with non-comedogenic (non pore-blocking) products.
Certain types of inflammatory spots, including papules, pustules, nodules and cysts contain fluid known as pus which can sometimes leak out and other times remain trapped under your skin. This is made up of sebum, dead skin cells, debris and bacteria. As with sebaceous filaments, it’s important not to squeeze the pus out as this can lead to further inflammation and infection which can spread around your face and under your pores. Learn more about why it’s important not to pop your spots.
