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Back Acne (Bacne)

How to tackle stubborn back acne

Bacne, aka back acne or 'jerawat punggung', is just as annoying as face acne! The difference is, your back is harder to reach and often covered by clothes, which can trap sweat. But don't sweat it (pun intended 😉), with the right care, a smooth back isn't just a dream!

Affected Areas

Upper backBahuMid-backSometimes even your butt

Common Causes

  • Sweat trapped in clothes, especially after working out
  • Friction from backpacks or tight bras
  • Hair products (conditioner, hair oil) dripping onto your back when rinsing
  • Not changing clothes after sweating
  • Clothing fabric that doesn't absorb sweat
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Infrequent exfoliation of the back area

Signs

  • Red bumps on your back that sometimes hurt
  • Blackheads or whiteheads on the shoulder area
  • Large, inflamed acne (cystic)
  • Dark acne scars on your back
  • Rough back skin texture

Recommended Active Ingredients

Salicylic Acid

A BHA that can penetrate pores and cleanse from within

Benzoyl Peroxide

Kills acne-causing bacteria, effective for body acne

Tea Tree Oil

Gentle natural antibacterial

Niacinamide

Controls oil and reduces inflammation

Glycolic Acid

Exfoliates skin surface and prevents clogged pores

Zinc

Anti-inflammatory and aids healing

What to Avoid

  • ⚠️Body lotions that are too heavy and occlusive on acne-prone areas
  • ⚠️Products with virgin coconut oil (comedogenic)
  • ⚠️Fragrance that can irritate inflamed skin

Care Tips

What To Do

  • Shower immediately after working out or sweating
  • Use a body wash with Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide
  • Rinse conditioner with your head tilted forward so it doesn't get on your back
  • Change clothes and bras daily, especially those that directly touch your skin
  • Wear clothes made of cotton or sweat-wicking material
  • Exfoliate your back 2-3x a week with a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliant
  • Wash bed sheets and towels regularly

What To Avoid

  • DON'T wear tight, non-breathable clothes in hot weather
  • DON'T let sweat dry on your body without showering
  • DON'T pick or squeeze back acne - it's hard to reach and has a high risk of infection
  • DON'T wear a backpack directly on your skin without clothes
  • DON'T skip your back area when showering

Suggested Routine

  1. 1Shower with a body wash containing 2% Salicylic Acid
  2. 2Use a back scrubber or brush to reach tricky areas
  3. 3After showering, spray a toner with Niacinamide or BHA onto your back
  4. 4For active breakouts, apply a Benzoyl Peroxide spot treatment
  5. 5For acne scars, use a body lotion with AHA at night

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