Learn how to get rid of bacne in a couple of easy steps. From washing your hair first in the shower to letting your skin breathe, it actually is pretty easy to clear your back for you to sport your favourite backless dress.
Want to know how to get rid of bacne so you can finally wear your favourite tube top or strappy dress? There are tons of tutorials and guides on how to deal with pimples on your face but we are here to stop your back from scarring. From the wrong hair product to a lack of hygiene you didn’t even realise, bacne can plague you especially if you have sensitive skin.
Bacne basics
Back acne aka bacne is the pimples that end up forming on your back. Just like the skin on your face, it can be formed due to clogged pores. Yes, yes, except for your palms and soles, your skin is covered with pores. That means chest acne and bacne are more common than you can imagine. So, it is a given that the pores on your back can easily clog especially since it is hard to reach and clean. Harsh hair products or hair conditions can also be another reason. Just apply the same logic - if dandruff can form acne on the face, why not the back? Harsh shampoo can also irritate the skin on the back and make it prone to acne.
Guide on how to get rid of bacne
While it may seem hard to wash your back let alone pamper it, it is actually not that difficult to quickly and naturally remove the acne and its scars on your back. Well, here are some quick and easy steps on how to get rid of bacne fast.
Promise to exfoliate
Clogged pores and skin ridden with grime and pollution is one of the biggest causes of bacne. This is why you need to exfoliate and deep cleanse your back at least twice a week. The St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub helps remove extra oil from the skin—the deep-rooted monster behind bacne. It contains apricot that deeply purifies and improves skin texture. It also contains salicylic acid to control the oiliness leaving your skin looking visibly better after a wash.
Shower daily
The sweat and dirt on your back are one of the main reasons for bacne. Never skip a bath and make sure you spend a few minutes every day on your back. We suggest opting for a natural, paraben-free body wash like the St. Ives Soothing Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Wash. This dermatologically tested body wash is gentle on your skin and made with oatmeal and shea butter. The natural ingredients soothe and calm your body while moisturising it deeply to give you fresh and soft skin.
Use mild shampoos and conditioners
Shampoo or conditioner residue can also add to your bacne woes. The silicone in them can clog the pores in your back and lead to acne. Switch to silicone-free products like the Love Beauty & Planet Coconut Water & Mimosa Shampoo and Conditioner. They are made with Moroccan mimosas and coconut water and are also free from parabens and dyes. With the sweet scent of coconut and mimosa, they are made with all-natural and ethically sourced ingredients that will neither harm your hair nor your skin.
Treat dandruff
Dandruff is one of the most common reasons for acne on the forehead, shoulders and back. If you’re struggling with dandruff, chances are you also have back acne, as excess oil from the scalp transfer to your back through your hair and clog pores. Medicated shampoos like the Dove Anti Dandruff Solutions Shampoo, which is formulated using a micro-moisture serum should be your go-to. It hydrates your locks while soothing your itchy scalp. Regularly using this shampoo will keep your hair free of dandruff and will help prevent hair fall as well as bacne.
Don't skip the lotion
When you dehydrate your skin by skipping a lotion, your sebaceous glands start producing excess oil leading to further acne. This is why you need to rely on a mild lotion with the right acne-fighting ingredients like the Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Fresh Lotion. It has a non-sticky formula that contains pure aloe to soothe your back and Vaseline jelly that deeply moisturises the skin and aids the natural healing process.
Keep your hair up
Did you know that your lovely, flowing tresses could be contributing to the irritating bacne? The oil and dirt from your hair rub onto your back. So, it is advised to always keep your hair clean and away from your back as much as possible. You can tie them up in a high ponytail or gather them in a bun particularly when you’re travelling.
Avoid fitted outfits
Did you ever think your love for bodycon dresses might also be the reason behind your back acne? Fitted clothes don’t allow your skin to breathe and trap excess sweat in your skin aggravating your clogged pores and acne. This is why you need to stick to easy breezy clothes if you’ve been suffering from bacne for a while. Cotton or linen fabric also lets the sweat evaporate easily.
Eat healthy
Your diet can make a big difference to your skin. If healthy foods can keep your skin glowing, a poor diet can cause acne, excess oil production and more skin woes. Limit your intake of foods that are rich in carbohydrates, oily food and sugar as they raise blood sugar levels and cause your skin to produce more sebum which ultimately leads to flare-ups.
Tea tree oil to the rescue
Tea tree oil is also a helpful ingredient if you want to know how to get rid of acne fast. It has several properties that’ll help you get rid of germs and bacteria resting on your skin. Mix in a few drops of tea tree oil with water and use a cotton swab to apply it to the affected area. For better results, follow this process twice a day to get rid of back acne.
Pamper with a sea salt bath
If you’ve been suffering from bacne, you should take a sea salt bath once a week. Sea salt is known to reduce bacterial buildup as well as suck out the excess oil and grime from your pores. Just add 2 cups of sea salt to your bathing water and wash your body with it.
Use a soft towel
Bacne can be rather irritable and itchy and you might involuntarily rub a towel over your back after a shower. While you need to ensure that your skin is dry, avoid using a cloth as rough as a towel. Use a cotton cloth or a soft microfiber towel that doesn’t irritate your skin further.
Visit a dermat
If you’ve tried everything under the sun to get rid of bacne with no success, then perhaps there are underlying medical conditions to be blamed. Fluctuations in hormones and hereditary factors could be why you have acne on your back. It can also be a side-effect of a particular medication you’re taking. But don’t worry; it doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. See a dermatologist and find out the real cause, so you can deal with it the right way.
Showering mistakes
Have you ever considered that the correct showering method just might be the way on how to get rid of bacne? From the water temperature to rough scrubbing, there are tons of shower mistakes that may be irritating your back.
Cold water messes with the oil glands while hot water opens pores making them prone to clogging. Lukewarm water is your best option.
Harsh chemicals in shampoo can irritate your skin. Opt for a silicone and paraben-free shampoo and conditioner.
Don’t skip out on a shower after a workout. Air drying or wiping the sweat after exercising is not enough.
Make sure to wash your hair before washing your body. This way you can make sure to get rid of the residual hair products off your back.
Over exfoliating can irritate your skin. Be gentle with the loofah and only exfoliate twice a week.
Now that you know how to get rid of bacne, what are you waiting for? Remember, don’t forget to exfoliate and be mindful of the clothes that you wear regularly if you want your back as smooth as your face.
Written by Lopa K on Aug 19, 2022