Best Bacne Treatments & Products, Plus, The Causes And What To Avoid
It’s a beauty topic that is rarely given airtime, yet bacne (AKA, acne on the back) is a skin issue many of us have experienced – and it’s far harder to hide or ignore in the summer when more skin is on show. We spoke to Paula’s Choice Education Manager, Heather Wish, to get the lowdown and reveal the products that will help zap your blemishes and boost your skin confidence.
What causes bacne?
The main cause of bacne is bacteria in the pores which cause inflammation. “This inflammation leads to visible redness and excess oil, and then tiny hairs and debris get backed up in the pore lining,” explains Heather. “The oil serves as a good ‘food’ source for more bacteria which allows it to flourish, leading to various sizes of red, often uncomfortable breakouts which appear on your back.”
Contrary to popular belief, bacne is not caused by dirty skin, “eating chocolate or fried foods, or just being a teenager (as adults can also experience acne-prone skin on their backs too),” adds Heather. “Hereditary acne and bacteria are the main causes.”
How to get rid of bacne
The best way to treat bacne is with breakout-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid. “Start by cleansing your back with a gentle, non-irritating body wash,” Heather says. “Then apply a leave-on product formulated with salicylic acid to fight existing breakouts and help prevent new ones. Salicylic acid can also help minimise the look of post-breakout marks, making it an all-round superstar ingredient for fighting acne-prone skin.”
Avoid skincare products that contain all forms of mint, including “menthol, citrus oils, eucalyptus, lavender, sulphur, and alcohol which often irritate bacne, acne and keratosis pilaris,” adds Heather.
The Best Products For Treating Bacne
Cleansers
Scrubs
Treatments
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
