Be gone, body acne.
Acne and pimples can emerge, angry and inflamed, virtually anywhere on the body, including your back, chest, and yes, even your butt. While the causes behind body breakouts vary from person to person, lifestyle factors often play a role: Sitting around in sweaty workout clothes, reactions to detergent, and even the shampoo you’re using can contribute. However, a body wash with chemical exfoliants, such as alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs), can treat and prevent body acne says Dennis Gross, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and founder of the eponymous skincare line. These ingredients help increase skin cell turnover and reduce clogged pores, a major culprit in body acne.
We tested more than 50 body washes over six weeks, using them once a day to assess how well they cleansed the skin, and how effectively they reduced breakouts, bumps, and roughness. Then we combined the results with insights from a board-certified dermatologist before creating this definitive list of the best blemish-banishing body washes.
Best Overall
Nécessaire The Body Acne Wash
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, zinc PCA, niacinamide, glycerin | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 8.4 oz
Nécessaire’s acne wash is packed with the same powerful skincare ingredients found in top face-focused formulas. Salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant, clears pores and tackles breakouts, zinc PCA and niacinamide work to calm inflammation and reduce redness, and glycerin helps to draw much-needed moisture into the skin without leaving it greasy.12 The brand gets bonus points for the metal bottle and pump dispenser, which are easy to use and look chic in the bathroom.
This body wash thoroughly cleansed the skin without stripping it at all––our skin always felt nourished and hydrated after showering. The formula helped calm one tester’s hormonal back acne and left their skin feeling smooth and refreshed. It reduced stubborn pigmentation left behind after past breakouts. Our skin was even glowing after using this formula for a few weeks.
Alexa, age group 25-34 with combination skin
“I have hormonal acne which is hard to control, but I think this wash did help calm it. It also smoothed my skin and reduced pigmentation.”
Best Budget
PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash
Key Ingredients: 10% benzoyl peroxide | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 5.5 oz
This budget buy is a dermatologist-recommended favorite for clearing body acne. The formula’s star ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, a topical antibiotic that helps treat mild-to-moderate acne by reducing inflammation and killing acne-causing bacteria.3 With regular use, it can help banish body breakouts, but one word of warning: benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics, so reach for an old or white towel after using this body wash.
Because this formula is medicated and not hydrating, we only used it on specific acne-prone areas instead of the entire body. It seemed to prevent breakouts during periods when we would normally experience them (for example, after working out and while traveling) and helped reduce underarm shaving bumps. This formula left skin clean and clear, although it might be too harsh for those with very dry or sensitive skin. Our tip is to follow this body wash with your favorite moisturizer to prevent that taut, stripped feeling.
Tester, Mollie, in the 25-34 age group with hormonal acne
“I definitely recognized that some of my hormonal acne, and breakouts I usually get from working out, were not appearing like they normally would.”
Best for Dry Skin
Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycerin, shea butter, soybean oil | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 20 oz
Acne-fighting formulas are known for their drying effects––not ideal if your skin already lacks hydration. But this body wash from Cetaphil is designed to go easy on dry and sensitive skin. The main blemish-busting ingredient is salicylic acid, a gentle exfoliant that effectively unclogs pores. Moisturizing glycerin, shea butter, and soybean oil add a hefty dose of hydration that lasts up to 24 hours.
You can use this wash daily without ever overdrying the skin. Thick and creamy, it glides on like a body lotion and leaves the skin nice and hydrated without any oiliness. At the beginning of the testing period, one tester’s skin went through a purge phase, where she experienced more breakouts, but by week three the formula had cleared her acne completely, even eliminating her keratosis pilaris.
Kristin, age group 18-24 with combination, acne-prone skin
“My skin wasn’t stripped or tight which is how salicylic acid can often make it feel. I did like that it still maintained a hydrating feeling even with the acne-fighting abilities.”
Best Foaming
Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycerin | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 8.5 oz
You can’t beat an ultra-foamy formula when you’re seeking that deep-clean feeling. Neutrogena’s Body Clear Acne Wash froths up beautifully, clearing breakouts with salicylic acid and hydrating the skin with glycerin––two trusty skincare favorites known for being gentle on all skin types. Use it head-to-toe daily and you’ll see incremental improvements in the clarity and texture of your skin.
We appreciated the simplicity of this foaming body wash, which did a good job of clearing up hormonal acne breakouts. Our skin felt good after each use––fresh and clean without being stripped of natural oils. That said, it’s not the most hydrating formula, so we would recommend using a lotion afterward.
Madison, age group 25-34 with occasional hormonal acne
“When used consistently the body wash definitely helps with acne-prone skin. In the areas of concern, I did notice a difference after the testing period. I still get hormonal zits, but the body wash keeps them in check.”
Best for Cystic Acne
Murad Acne Control Body Wash
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, date seed powder, glycolic acid, green tea extract, licorice root extract | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 8.5 oz
If you’ve ever experienced a cystic acne breakout––the kind that erupts in painful, sometimes pus-filled pimples deep in the skin––you know it can be hard to focus on anything else. This effective formula from Murad can offer some welcome relief. It’s enriched with salicylic acid to treat breakouts, date seed powder and glycolic acid to slough off dead skin cells, and green tea and licorice root extract to soothe inflammation and reduce redness.456
We liked the grainy texture of this body wash, which did a good job of exfoliating the skin and opening up pores for a deep clean. One tester’s body not only felt cleansed after using it, but hydrated and nourished, too; the dry spots and peeling she usually experiences noticeably decreased during the testing period. It also worked like a charm on her acne, preventing breakouts and even reducing pigmentation on her chest and back. Her skin was so smooth she started getting compliments.
Chantia, age group 18-24 with combination, acne-prone skin
“This is better than zinc soap! The body wash definitely helped to eliminate and prevent acne. There were less breakouts than usual, specifically on my back and chest.”
Best for Sensitive Skin
Curology Acne Body Wash
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, tea tree, glycerin | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 6.8 oz
Sensitive skin types will appreciate this dermatologist-designed body wash from Curology. The lightly foaming formula helps curb acne and body pimples using our old pal salicylic acid, plus a splash of antibacterial tea tree oil and hydrating glycerin. Used daily, it helps keep pores squeaky clean without being harsh on skin that’s easily irritated.
This creamy body wash lathered well (once we could get it out of the finicky bottle, that is) and left our skin feeling clean and fresh. We appreciated that it was gentle and didn’t irritate our skin or leave it feeling tight and dry. We opted to use the formula a couple of times a week and noticed a reduction in body acne––especially problem areas like the chest, back, and butt.
Tester Elizabeth, age group 25-34 with combination, acne-prone skin
“While using this body wash, I do feel that I got fewer breakouts on my problem areas. Though the errant pimple didn’t completely disappear, it seemed to help blemishes go away more quickly.”
Best for Redness
ZitSticka Silkshake Body Wash
Key Ingredients: Probiotics, tea tree, omegas 3, 6, and 9 | Skin Type: All | Size: 10.14 oz
Packed with pre, post, and probiotics, this body wash is as nutrient-dense as it gets. It balances your skin’s microbiome, helping good flora thrive while melting breakout-causing ones. We love that this formula contains tea tree and omegas 3, 6, and 9 to diffuse the appearance of redness and irritation while ensuring a deep cleanse. During testing, we noticed a reduction in the number of pimples we had at any given time. And the ones we did have were way less painful and tended to be on the smaller side. Best of all, it helped calm redness and made our skin appear less blotchy and more balanced.
The only caveat: It requires a bit more water than you may be used to using while cleansing. If the skin wasn’t wet enough, the cleanser was very creamy (as opposed to sudsy) and harder to spread across the body. When there was enough water, however, it lathered really nicely.
What to Look for in an Acne Body Wash
- Ingredients: If you have congested skin, Joshua Zeichner MD, associate professor of dermatology and the Director of Clinical and Cosmetic Research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, recommends reaching for a formula with salicylic acid. It’s a beta-hydroxy acid that’s oil-soluble, meaning it’s great for unclogging pores and dislodging whiteheads specifically.1 Zeichner also recommends benzoyl peroxide, which is ideal for larger blemishes that are red, and/or inflamed. “Benzoyl peroxide lowers levels of acne-causing bacteria to reduce inflammation,” he says. “I typically recommend cleansers that contain the maximum strength of 10% benzoyl peroxide to allow for the best chance of penetration into the skin.”
- Type of Formula: Zeichner says those dealing with body breakouts, who are generally oily, or already use other acne treatments should opt for a foaming or exfoliating formula. “These remove certain oils and keep the pores clear,” he says. This will not only help address current blemishes but can prevent future breakouts.
- Size: Size matters here. Since you’ll likely use a decent amount of product each time to cover your back, chest, and/or arms, look for a body wash that comes in larger sizes and//or offers the most bang for your buck.
FAQ
How do you use an acne body wash?
Zeichner stresses the importance of treating acne body wash as an actual treatment, not just a traditional body wash that you quickly lather and wash away. “No matter what cleanser you’re using, think of it more like a short contact treatment rather than just a cleanser,” he says. “It needs enough contact time on the skin to allow for penetration of the active ingredient for it to do its job.”
Can you use acne body wash on your face?
“The active ingredients in acne washes are the same, whether they’re made for your body or your face, so you can use an acne body wash effectively on your face,” says Zeichner. “My only caution [is with] body scrubs, which may be a bit too harsh for the face.” In addition to scrubs, be wary of anything that’s heavily scented as that can potentially cause irritation or trigger a breakout.
Can body wash cause acne?
Some body washes—even those formulated to target acne—can trigger acne or exacerbate existing breakouts when they include irritating ingredients such as heavy oils or fragrances. Look for hydrating products formulated without heavy soaps or fragrances to keep your skin happy and zit-free.