Body acne, often called “bacne”, is a common skin concern that affects millions of people in the UK. From spots on the back and shoulders to redness and post-acne marks, body acne can impact both skin confidence and comfort. Understanding the causes of bacne and how to treat it effectively can help improve skin clarity and reduce future breakouts.
Spots on the back develop in much the same way as facial acne. Hair follicles become clogged with excess sebum (oil), dead skin cells and acne-causing bacteria, leading to blemishes and inflammation. The back contains a high concentration of sebaceous glands, making it especially prone to congestion and breakouts.
Hormonal fluctuations, particularly during adolescence and early adulthood, can increase oil production and trigger acne flare-ups. In the UK, acne affects up to 95% of people aged 11 to 30 to some extent, with the back involved in more than half of cases. This highlights how common truncal acne is and why Bioderma is committed to helping patients manage body acne effectively.
Several everyday lifestyle and environmental factors can contribute to body acne and bacne breakouts:
This type of friction-related acne is often referred to as “acne mechanica” and commonly affects active individuals.
Bacne can appear in several forms, ranging from mild congestion to more severe inflammatory acne. Common symptoms of body acne include:
Because the back is a larger and less visible area, body acne can sometimes go unnoticed until it becomes more widespread.
Body acne is a form of acne vulgaris, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that commonly affects the face, back and chest. The back is involved in around 60% of acne cases, making it one of the most frequently affected areas after the face.
Several factors contribute to the development of bacne, including:
These factors can lead to persistent blemishes, inflammation and acne marks if left unmanaged.
Managing body acne successfully often requires a combination of targeted skincare, lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medical advice.
High-performance skincare ingredients such as salicylic acid are especially effective for treating bacne. Salicylic acid works deep within the pores to exfoliate dead skin cells, reduce congestion and visibly refine skin texture.
When combined with keratolytic and sebum-regulating ingredients, salicylic acid can help promote clearer, smoother-looking skin over time.
The Sebium range from Bioderma is specifically formulated for blemish-prone skin. It helps rebalance sebum quality at the source while respecting the skin’s natural barrier, delivering effective results without compromising comfort.
For larger or hard-to-reach areas like the back and shoulders, Bioderma’s Sebium Kerato+ Body Spray offers a targeted and convenient treatment option for body acne.
Bioderma’s Sebium Kerato+ Body Spray is specially designed for blemish-prone body skin. Its lightweight, fast-drying formula helps purify the skin without leaving residue or stickiness.
Key ingredients include:
Clinical Results
The convenient spray format encourages consistent daily use, which is essential when managing persistent body acne.
Alongside targeted skincare, simple lifestyle habits can help reduce body acne flare-ups:
Consistency is key when treating bacne and preventing future breakouts.
For persistent, painful or severe body acne, it’s important to consult a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist. Prescription acne treatments may be recommended for more advanced cases, particularly where scarring or cystic acne is present.
Please find more information on the BSF website here: What’s the best way to treat bacne? | British Skin Foundation
Gentle purifying cleanser. Removes impurities and controls shine.
Combination to oily skin
Visibly effective on pimples, blackheads and marks within 2 days. High tolerance.
Acne-prone skin
3-in-1 body spray for spots, redness and marks – instantly soothes and clears the skin.
Acne-prone skin
(1) Clinical study, 21 subjects, self-assessment, 21 days.
(2) Clinical study, 34 subjects:
