Here’s Why You’re Getting Acne On Your Body
Stress shows up everywhere—even our backs. Here’s a guide on why you’re getting acne on your body—and what you can do about it.
In times of stress, the cherry on top usually comes in the form of a cyst. Or a whitehead. Or a blackhead. As many people already know, periods of stress can lead to an increase in a stress hormone called cortisol, which in turn causes breakouts—and not necessarily on the face.
Most people experience some form of stress regularly, and as a result of that, a rise in body acne seems to be occurring parallel to the new bumps on our faces.
“Body acne is a common complaint in my practice,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Claire Chang. Whether you’ve recently spotted the unpleasant surprise of a pimple in a brand new place or have long been dealing with body acne, dermatologists say that there are plenty of ways to eradicate breakouts on the chest, back, butt, and legs.
What is body acne?
Body and facial acne have similar underlying causes, explains Chang. Zits pop up as a result of excess oil production, clogged pores, and inflammation, among other factors, which are caused by things like individual genetics, hormones, and stress.
But just because you get cystic acne on your chin or whiteheads around your nose doesn’t necessarily translate to the type of breakouts you’ll see on the body. “Body acne tends not to show up as frequently as blackheads, but instead can be whiteheads, pimples, and cysts,” says board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman.
Body acne often occurs in areas that can get oily, like the center of the chest and upper back. “Higher oil levels make an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, leading to inflammation and subsequent acne,” says Chang. “The buttocks are also a common area due to irritation from sweating and tight-fitting clothes. Legs can be prone to acne after shaving due to irritation around hair follicles.”
Acne on the chest and back is called folliculitis, and it comes from pores that are clogged with oil, dead skin, or other debris, resulting in inflamed hair follicles that appear as small red bumps. Dermatitis, an irritation of the skin sometimes caused by clothing friction combined with sweat, can also lead to breakouts.
And just because you get facial breakouts doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll also see bumps elsewhere on the body, and vice versa. “Body acne can be completely separate from acne on the face,” explains Engelman.
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Why are you breaking out all of a sudden?
For one, there’s your lifestyle—particularly if it’s on the stagnant side. “You’re sitting, and there’s more friction on your butt, which can lead to butt breakouts,” Mona Gohara, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. All that rubbing of butt on couch can irritate the skin and lead to breakouts.
But then, an active lifestyle and a schedule of workouts can contribute as well. Time spent in sweaty clothes, and then not changing immediately, can cause clogged pores.
Diet is also contributing to newfound body breakouts. “If you are grabbing for those donuts, ice cream, and wine. Poor diet may be exacerbating your acne,” says Chang. “Studies show that high glycemic diets (high sugar and carb foods) and dairy may worsen acne.”
Lastly, there’s stress and the emotional toll it brings. “Stress may contribute to acne flares,” Chang continues. “Stress induces the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and elevates cortisol levels in the body. Stress has been shown to promote oil production and increase inflammation in the skin, in turn, causing acne flares.”
How to treat body acne
Dermatologists offer a multi-step process for tackling body acne: “Find ways to de-stress. Yoga and at-home exercises can be a great way to relieve your stress while staying in shape,” says Chang. She also suggests balancing any takeout or highly processed foods with a dose of fruits and vegetables. As for all that couch friction, Chang offers a simple solution: wear loose-fitting clothes.
Meanwhile, make a few changes to your skin care routine. “The good news is that body acne can be treated with the same products and ingredients that you use for your face,” says Engelman.
As for body wash, opt for a cleanser that contains acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Each of these options is available at local drugstores, so you can experiment with new body care products without dropping a ton of cash. And if none of those options improve the situation, head to your dermatologist for specialized recommendations and treatment.
Originally published in Allure US.
Frequently Asked Questions
Body acne consists of whiteheads, pimples, and cysts that develop from excess oil production, clogged pores, and inflammation — triggered by genetics, hormones, and stress. It most commonly appears on the chest, upper back, and buttocks, and can occur independently from facial acne.
Sudden body acne can be triggered by a sedentary lifestyle causing friction on the skin, sweaty clothes worn too long after workouts, a high-glycemic diet with excess sugar or dairy, and elevated cortisol levels from stress. Each of these factors promotes oil production and inflammation in the skin.
Body acne responds to the same acne-fighting ingredients used on the face, such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, available in body washes at most drugstores. Lifestyle adjustments — managing stress, eating more fruits and vegetables, wearing loose clothing, and changing out of sweaty clothes promptly — also help reduce breakouts.
Body and facial acne share the same underlying causes, but they do not always occur together. The type of breakouts also differs — body acne tends to appear less frequently as blackheads and more often as whiteheads, pimples, and cysts, particularly in areas prone to oil buildup and friction.
The chest and upper back are prone to acne due to higher oil levels that create an environment for bacterial growth. The buttocks are susceptible to irritation from sweat and tight clothing, while the legs can break out after shaving due to inflammation around hair follicles.
