Best Body Washes for Clearing Up Body Acne Breakouts

Choosing the Best Body Wash for Fighting Acne

Dealing with body acne can be just as frustrating as facial breakouts. The best body washes can help combat acne on the chest, back, shoulders and other areas by removing oil, bacteria and dead skin cells while soothing inflammation. Harsh soaps can actually worsen body acne, so choosing a gentle wash formulated for acne-prone skin is important.

What Causes Body Acne?

Body acne forms for many of the same reasons as facial acne. Contributing factors include:

• Excess sebum oil production
• Pores clogged with dead skin cells and debris
• Bacterial overgrowth of Cutibacterium acnes
• Inflammation and irritation

Areas with many oil glands like the back, chest and shoulders are often most susceptible to breakouts. But acne can develop anywhere, even on the buttocks, arms and legs.

Acne-Fighting Body Wash Ingredients

The best body washes for treating acne contain acne-fighting ingredients that can help unplug clogged pores, kill acne bacteria and reduce inflammation. Helpful ingredients to look for include:

• Salicylic acid Clears pores, reduces swelling
• Benzoyl peroxide Kills acne bacteria
• Glycolic & lactic acids (AHAs) Exfoliate dead skin cells
• Sulfur Absorbs excess oil, kills bacteria
• Tea tree oil Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial
• Niacinamide Reduces inflammation
• Natural extracts Soothe and calm irritation

How to Choose the Best Body Wash

With all the body washes available, it can be tricky finding one that will really help clear up body acne instead of making it worse. Here are some tips for choosing an effective product:

• Look for acne-specific formulas made for body or back skin
• Choose gentle cleansers without harsh sulfates
• Seek lightweight gels or exfoliating washes
• Ensure any exfoliants are small, smooth beads only
• Opt for rich, creamy washes if your skin tends very dry
• Use lukewarm rather than hot water when bathing

Reviews of the Best Body Washes for Acne-Prone Skin

Wondering which body wash will help tackle your body acne? Here are some top products to consider:

1. PanOxyl Acne Cleansing Bar

This maximum-strength acne body wash contains 10% benzoyl peroxide to kill acne bacteria across your shoulders, back and beyond. It also exfoliates away dead skin with tiny jojoba beads andClean & Clear Continuous Clear Acne Cleanser Body Wash gently unclogs pores.

Users say this medicated body cleanser often helps clears body breakouts faster than facial acne washes. It does contain some sulfates though, so dryness or irritation is possible if skin is very sensitive.

2. Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash

Neutrogenas oil-free body wash combines 2% salicylic acid with naturally-derived grapefruit and orange extracts. Together, these ingredients help eliminate existing zits in problem areas while helping prevent new body acne from forming.

This dermatologist-recommended body cleanser lathers well but rinses clean without leaving residue. Reviewers praise its pleasant grapefruit scent and ability to make skin feel clean yet soft, not dry or stripped.

3. Murad Acne Body Wash

Murad is well-known for their effective facial acne treatments, but their acne body wash also works well. A powerful blend of salicylic, glycolic and lactobionic acids deeply exfoliate while date seed powder provides antioxidant protection.

In addition to smoothing rough skin, users say this acne wash leaves skin feeling nourished yet clean. The creamy lather rinses cleanly without residue buildup. And a little goes a long way, making the price reasonable.

4. Proactiv Deep Cleansing Body Wash

Proactivs legendary 3-step acne system also includes a Deep Cleansing Body Wash packed with acne fighters. Tiny jojoba beads polish skin as the cleansers 2% concentration benzoyl peroxide eliminates acne bacteria.

Designed for acne-prone body areas like the chest, back and shoulders, this wash helps remove excess oil and prevent new breakouts. Its creamy lather rinses clean without irritation thanks to nourishing rice proteins and antioxidants.

5. Clean & Clear Continuous Clear Acne Cleanser Body Wash

Containing hydrating glycolic acid, purifying salicylic acid and acne-fighting benzoyl peroxide, Clean and Clear Continuous Clear body wash tackles body breakouts three ways. The rich lather unclogs pores while calming irritation.

Many reviewers confirm this affordably-priced body wash quickly makes body acne, keratosis pilaris bumps and related redness and irritation vanish. Its tingly sensation fades fast while its skin-clearing effects keep working.

Using Other Acne Treatments With Body Wash

While medicated body washes help curb breakouts, pairing them with leave-on acne treatments can enhance results. Helpful options include:

Acne Body Wipes

Convenient pre-moistened wipes like Neutrogena Clear Acne Body Wipes make treating body acne on-the-go easy. Swiping tough-on-acne ingredients like salicylic acid over problem areas after workouts or whenever helps stop zits.

Acne Body Spray

Following your acne body wash with Clean & Clear's Continuous Control Acne Body Spray can continue fighting body acne for hours. Its alcohol-free salicylic acid/glycolic acid spray penetrates pores to eliminate acne bacteria and oil on contact.

Body Acne Light Therapy Devices

Red and blue LED light body wands like Tria Beautys Acne Clearing Blue Light kill p. acnes bacteria to calm inflammation fast. Using for just 5 minutes daily alongside acne washes brings clearer body skin.

Body Acne Creams

When you need extra care for those stubborn body breakouts, reach for a treatment cream like Differin Body Acne Treatment Cream. Rubbing its prescription-strength adapalene formula into flare-ups helps prevent new acne.

Body Acne Pads

Wiping problem areas with medicated pads really helps drive acne fighters into skin for maximum absorption. Humanes Clarifying Acne Pads combine exfoliating salicylic and glycolic acid with soothing botanicals to reduce body acne fast.

Home Remedies: Natural Body Acne Treatments

In addition to medicated body washes and creams, some all-natural remedies can also help tame those annoying body breakouts. Useful home treatments to try include:

Apple Cider Vinegar

This natural astringent kills bacteria, balances skins pH and absorbs excess oil leading to body acne. Mix it with equal parts water and use cotton pads to apply to breakouts. Rinse after 5-10 minutes.

Green Tea

Green tea's antimicrobial antioxidants help reduce inflammation and control acne. Steep green tea bags in water, chill, then wipe solution over acne using soft cloths or cotton pads.

Honey

With antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, raw honey makes an ideal natural home treatment for body acne. Gently rub a thin layer over breakouts, wait 15-20 minutes then rinse.

Aloe Vera Gel

This soothing succulent is naturally antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and rich in healing vitamins. Break aloe leaves open and apply the gel inside directly onto body acne twice a day.

When to See a Dermatologist for Body Acne

Mild to moderate body breakouts often respond well to over-the-counter washes, creams and home treatments. But if you have severe, persistent body acne or painful cysts/nodules that won't clear with typical care, seeing a dermatologist is wise. A doctor can prescribe stronger retinoids and treatments like antibiotics or cortisone shots to help.

Body acne caused by certain underlying conditions may also require a dermatologists expertise. This includes acne flares linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or hormone imbalances. So if your body acne seems unusual or wont improve, professional care can help uncover any underlying issue.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.