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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
- Best Overall: The Inkey List Glycolic Body Stick, $17
- Best for Hyperpigmentation: First Aid Beauty Acne Clearing Pads, $39
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Byoma Smoothing Body Serum, $14
- Best for Bacne: Glytone Acne Back & Chest Treatment Spray, $44
- Best Exfoliating Lotion: CeraVe SA Lotion, $20
- Best Exfoliating Body Wash: Panoxyl Acne Treatment Bar, $16
- Best for Redness: Topicals Clearly Clarifying & Calming Mist, $26
Frequently Asked Questions
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- What is body acne?
- What is the best way to treat body acne?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review our products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick
The Inkey List
Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
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.
Tester feedback from shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
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"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
More to know
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- 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
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
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
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“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
More to know
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- 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
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
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.
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“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
More to know
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- 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
Amazon
Dermstore
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.
More to know
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- 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
CeraVe
SA Lotion
Amazon
Walmart
Ulta Beauty
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.
More to know
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- 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
Amazon
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.
More to know
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- 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
Amazon
Sephora
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.
More to know
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- 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.
For our list of the best body acne treatments, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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