Pimples don’t just pop up on our faces, they can appear on any body part — and that includes our bottoms in the form of butt acne (or buttne as some like to call it). As annoying as it may be, the good news is, it’s possible to treat butt acne.
Identifying the cause of your breakouts is the first step towards successfully treating butt acne. Board certified dermatologist Dr. Karyn Grossman says bum acne can be caused by hormonal surges. It can also be linked to external factors, such as heat, humidity and staying in sweaty workout clothes. There are even certain types of butt acne that form from hot tubs. Additionally, Dr. Carolyn Jacob, board certified dermatologist and director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, says that bum acne can be caused by friction, sweating and not bathing enough.
[ Expert Tips for Getting Rid of Bacne for Good ]
Once you’ve figured out why you’re breaking out, it’s time to get a good butt acne-fighting regimen in place, and that begins with the right products. There are tons of products to treat facial acne and the good news is, there are many formulated specifically for body acne as well. There are body washes, sprays and scrubs that contain pimple-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid.
The key thing to remember with any acne treatment is that it takes time. As effective as the best body acne products are, they won’t give you back your beautiful booty overnight. That’s why it’s important to develop a proper routine and stick with it.
We’ve rounded up some of the best butt acne products available. Choose your favorite, use it regularly and your cheeks will be looking smooth in no time.
How to Get Rid of Butt Acne (SEO)
-
Body Scrub
This is more than a body scrub, it's an acnedote. Get it? Those cheeks will be cleared up in a flash thanks to the scrub's zit-busting formula. Aloe, chamomile, willow bark extract and 2 percent salicylic acid reduce inflammation and get grime out of pores for a clear bum. The maximum strength formula is so effective that it continues to fight acne even after it's rinsed off. Impressive, eh?
Alba Acnedote Face & Body Scrub, $6.29 at Target
-
Body Scrub
Get those butt cheeks clear and help them stay clear with this body wash. Dirt, oil, grease and grime are removed from pores thanks to maximum strength 2 percent salicylic acid. The effective body wash targets blackheads as well as zits, so butts will be crystal clear. And unlike some astringent acne products, this one has a sweet, subtle scent.
Asepxia Medicated Acne Body Scrub, $8.99 at Target
-
Body Wash
When you find a good anti-blemish product, stock up. Luckily, this one already comes in a pack of two, so there's no need for frequent trips to the store. The body wash tackles buttne without irritating cheeks thanks to a combination of salicylic acid and naturally soothing extracts. The gentle formula is also free of soaps and dyes.
Phisoderm Anti-Blemish Body Wash (Pack of 2), $16.33 at Walmart
-
Body Wash
This noncomedogenic formula has been specially designed for acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid targets pimples and helps stop new ones from popping up. The medicated wash froths up as well as any other body wash and it can be applied with a loofah or washcloth. Best of all, it washes away clean without leaving a greasy residue.
Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment, $5.19 at Target
-
Body Wash
Sitting around will not clear up bum acne. Body acne requires the right treatment. And this medicated wash is one brilliant option. It's suitable for use on sensitive skin and even faces. With continued use, there will be fewer zits on backsides. The alcohol-free wash unclogs pores and helps eliminate excess oil and dirt.
Zapzyt Acne Wash Treatment for Face and Body (2 Pack), $15.33 at Walmart
-
Body Cleanser
There aren't many products that are suitable for faces and bodies, but this one is. The inky black cleanser is packed with rhassoul mud, black sugar and charcoal to absorb excess oil. And unlike a lot of acne products, this one is gentle. It contains cold-pressed organic avocado oil to hydrate skin and it even helps calm redness. Take a small amount and mix it with a bit of water until it forms a paste. Then apply all over.
Lush Dark Angels Face and Body Cleanser, $13.95 at Lush
-
Body Beads
Finding gentle acne products can sometimes be as elusive as finding the perfect red lipstick. The search is over on the pimple product front. This scrub has an ultra gentle formula that's OK for faces and bodies. It contains a mix of zit-zapping ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid plus jojoba beads to exfoliate. Apply a small amount to bums as often as needed to keep the area pimple-free.
Peter Thomas Roth Blemish Buffing Beads for Face and Body, $38 at Sephora
-
Body Soap
A clear bum starts in the shower with the right body wash. Fresh fruit extracts exfoliate dead skin cells from pores to keep them clear. Then ginseng and oat protein calm skin. Try the soap on chests, backs, stomachs or anywhere else that's prone to spots. The body wash doesn't leave a heavy residue, so it's OK to apply it all over.
Mario Badescu A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap, $8 at Ulta
-
Body Soap
The black soap has major Instagram appeal, but it's the formula that really makes it. The bar gets its signature color thanks to detoxifying activated bamboo charcoal. The hero ingredient gently cleanses and exfoliates, which makes it an ideal treatment for stubborn buttne. It's also vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free and 100 percent natural.
Herbivore Botanicals Bamboo Charcoal Deep Cleanse Detoxifying Soap Bar, $12 at DermStore
-
Body Bar
A regular bar will get skin clean, but it won't fight pesky pimples the way this one will. It's free of soap, surfactants and sodium laurel sulfate, but it's packed with salicylic acid. The acne-fighting ingredients deep clean pores, clear up existing pimples and help stop new ones from forming. The bar has also been ergonomically designed, so it won't slip out of wet hands when sudsing up. The set comes with two bars, so there's no need to keep hitting the shop.
Proactiv Cleansing Body Bar Duo, $25 at Ulta
-
Body Bar
That body wash may smell lovely, but it cannot compete with this bar when it comes to fighting butt acne. The medicated soap contains encapsulated salicylic acid, which unclogs the dirt and oil trapped in pores. It's gentle enough that it can be used on faces and bodies. And the solid formula is perfect for traveling. We can't say that about liquid body acne products.
Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar for Face and Body, $16 at Clinique
-
Body Spray
Lazy girls will want to add this handy spray to their acne-fighting arsenals ASAP. Salicylic acid and glycolic acid clean out pores and help prevent them from getting plugged again. There's also no waiting around for the spray to dry. It absorbs quickly into skin without leaving a residue. So users can apply it, get dressed and get out the door on time.
AcneFree Body Clearing Acne Spray, $10.99 at AcneFree
-
Body Spray
Some body acne products can ruin clothes because of their harsh ingredients. This nonstaining spray fights body acne, but it won't ruin your favorite jeans. Spray the formula when standing up, lying down or performing downward-facing dog. The convenient bottle will dispense the product at any angle. And only a small amount is needed to fully cover bottoms.
Nature's Cure Body Acne Treatment Spray, $9.60 at Walmart
-
Body Spray
Sprays are a popular format because they require practically zero effort to apply. The spray bottle is especially good for targeting hard-to-reach pimples on butt cheeks. And it works no matter what angle it's sprayed at. Simply spray and rub in with hands to ensure the entire area is covered. The fast-drying mist contains 2 percent BHA — the maximum strength — so pimples don't stand a chance. It may be tough on pimples, but it's gentle on bodies. It's fragrance-free, nonirritating and suitable for all skin types.
Paula's Choice CLEAR Acne Body Spray, $25 at Paula's Choice
-
Body Spray
Get that high-cut bikini ready because you'll want to show off that clear booty after using this body spray. The 360-degree acne spray delivers a lightweight mist no matter what angle it's sprayed at. A trifecta of menthol, salicylic acid and blue lotus work together to purify pores, calm irritation and tackle buttne. Use it after cleansing skin or spray it on at the gym when there's no time to shower.
Murad Clarifying Body Spray, $40 at Sephora
