Back Acne — The Shower Routine That Could Be Making It Worse

Back acne is one of the most common things I treat, and most of the time, it isn't the products causing it. It's the shower routine around them.

1. Skip the scalding hot water

I find this is a big proponent to causing "bacne." A hot shower feels incredible, especially on your back, but water that's too hot dries out your skin and pushes it to overproduce oil to compensate. More oil means more clogged pores. So just remember to keep it luke warm, not scalding.

2.Wash your hair before your body

Shampoo and conditioner often contain pore-clogging ingredients, and when you rinse them out, they run straight down your back. If your breakouts cluster along your shoulders or upper back, this is frequently why. Washing your hair first, then your body, keeps that residue from sitting on your skin. If you want an acne-safe haircare line, I recommend SEEN. I'm particular with my haircare, and this shampoo and conditioner surprised me with its quality. If you buy a product with Skin Therapy, complimentary samples are given with each in house purchase.

3.Put the loofah and scrubs down

Harsh loofahs and physical scrubs feel like they're doing something, but on active acne they just cause more irritation and slow down healing. Gently massage your cleanser but do not over scrub your exisitng acne.

4.Choose the right body wash, and give it time to work

Look for a body wash with mandelic acid, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide (I often recommend PanOxyl 10%). The key is to use this like a mask and let it sit on your skin for 5 to 8 minutes before rinsing. That contact time is what actually allows the active ingredient to work, rinsing it off right away wastes most of its benefit.

5.If you sweat a lot, add an antimicrobial spray

Working out or sweating heavily creates the kind of environment acne-causing bacteria thrive in. An antimicrobial spray directly after your workout, before you even get to the shower, helps a lot. Hydrinity and Magic Molecule are both great options. Face Reality aslo created one, which Skin Therapy carries.

6.Hydrate with a hydrating moisturizer that's non-comedogenic

Skipping moisturizer isn't the answer. Look for a body lotion labeled non-comedogenic so you're hydrating your skin without re-clogging the pores you just cleared.

7.Don't forget your sheets and towels

Your skin touches your sheets and towels more than almost anything else you own. Wash them often, skip the fabric softener (it can leave a residue that irritates skin), and use a gentle, fragrance-free detergent.

8.Use a water filter, not a water softener

Hard water and chlorine can strip your skin's natural barrier and leave residue that irritates already-inflamed skin. A shower water filter removes chlorine and heavy metals before they touch your back. A water softener does something different: it swaps calcium and magnesium for sodium, which can actually feel drying to skin, but it doesn't filter out chlorine or the other irritants that make acne worse. If you've already dialed in your routine and back acne is still stubborn, this is worth looking at next.

Back acne usually responds well once the full routine is dialed in, not just the products, but the habits around them.

Want a plan built around your specific skin? [Book a consultation] and we'll figure out exactly what your routine needs.