Body Acne Prevention and Care | Featured in Marie Claire

While the warm weather we crave brings fun and memories, it also equals sweat and clogged pores. Ultimately this leads to the struggle no one wants to deal with, body acne. However, there are ways that can make fighting those struggles a lot easier. Learn from Dr. Mona Foad, featured in Marie Claire, the best tips and products to support your body care routine in keeping away body acne.

Why can your body care routine be beneficial when fighting body acne?

Your body care routine can make a significant difference because body acne develops for many of the same reasons as facial acne: excess oil, clogged pores, bacteria, sweat, and friction. The skin on the back, chest, and shoulders is often exposed to workout clothing, prolonged sweat, and friction, all of which can contribute to clogged pores and breakouts. A consistent routine with the right cleansers and treatments helps keep pores clear, reduce inflammation, and support a healthier skin barrier over time. Like facial acne, improvement doesn’t happen overnight, so consistency is key.

Are there any ingredients to look out for or avoid?

When treating body acne, I recommend looking for ingredients with well-established evidence behind them. Salicylic acid is excellent for unclogging pores and exfoliating inside the follicle, while benzoyl peroxide helps reduce acne-causing bacteria and inflammation. For those dealing with post-acne marks as well, ingredients like azelaic acid or niacinamide can help calm inflammation and improve overall skin tone. It’s also a good idea to be mindful of heavily fragranced body products and thick lotions if you’re prone to body acne, as they can sometimes irritate the skin or make breakouts worse.

Will exfoliating help fight body acne?

I also encourage patients not to over-exfoliate. It may seem like scrubbing more will clear acne faster, but using multiple exfoliating products or harsh scrubs can actually strip the skin and cause more irritation. A gentle, consistent routine is almost always more effective than an aggressive one. Also, don’t forget a lightweight, non-comedogenic sunscreen to decrease post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne.  

What are your favorite products for fighting body acne?

I tend to recommend products based on the individual’s skin type and the severity of their acne, but there are several over-the-counter options that consistently perform well.

A benzoyl peroxide wash, such as PanOxyl, is a great choice for inflammatory body acne because it helps decrease acne-causing bacteria.

For patients with clogged pores or rough, bumpy skin, a salicylic acid body wash like CeraVe SA Body Wash can be very effective.

Furthermore, if the skin is sensitive or becoming dry from acne treatments, I also encourage using a fragrance-free moisturizer to support the skin barrier, because healthy skin tolerates treatment much better.

Do you have any other body acne tips?

One of the most overlooked factors is what happens after exercise. I encourage patients to shower as soon as possible after sweating and change out of damp workout clothing promptly, since sweat, oil, and friction can all contribute to breakouts. If you can’t shower right away or in the middle of a sports event, consider using an over-the-counter salicylic acid wipe such as Stridex body wipe. The wipe helps to get the sweat off, and the salicylic acid helps with fighting acne.  It’s also helpful to avoid picking or squeezing blemishes, which increases the risk of scarring and post-inflammatory pigmentation. If body acne is persistent, painful, or leaving scars despite a consistent routine, it’s worth seeing a dermatologist. Sometimes prescription topical or oral medications are needed, and treating acne early can help prevent long-term skin changes.

Schedule an appointment now if you are looking to prevent or treat.