These Body Washes for Acne Will Kick Your Body Breakouts to the Curb Fast

Body acne looks just like the acne on your face. It can appear as a whitehead, blackhead, or cystic breakout and can develop anywhere on the body but is most commonly found on the chest, arms, and back (this type is often nicknamed "bacne").

Two of the most common active ingredients you’ll find in acne body washes are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. “A 10 percent, benzoyl peroxide cleanser is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and keratolytic (pore declogging),” says Dr. Tzu. “Meanwhile, a 2 percent salicylic acid cleanser is primarily just keratolytic.” With that, let's get to discussing a few of the best body washes for acne. We've listed 10 of our favorites below.

1. Best For Severe Acne:

MURAD Acne Body Wash

This shower gel fights body acne by exfoliating, cleansing, and moisturizing. The primary acne-fighting ingredient here is one percent salicylic acid. It’s paired with glycolic acid, a non-drying alpha hydroxy acid that chemically peels away dead skin cells and unclogs pores. Coarsely ground date seed powder acts as a physical exfoliant while green tea and licorice root extract soothe any irritation.

2. Best For Moderate Breakouts:

THEORIE Nourishing Body Scrub

If your breakouts are relatively minimal, this body cleanser could be a great product to use a few times a week. While this formula doesn't contain any active acne-fighting ingredients, it is an effective exfoliant thanks to specks of finely milled pumice stone. Regular exfoliation minimizes your chances of developing future breakouts by removing dead skin cells and excess oil that can clog pores. Keep in mind though that unless you have particularly oily skin, you should only exfoliate a few times per week. It's a good idea to also have a body wash for non-exfoliating days.

3. Best Gentle Exfoliation:

CÉLA Seed to Skin Scrub Natural Grain Polish

This gentle scrub uses finely milled Amazonian cupuaçu seeds to exfoliate skin, minimizing any opportunity for blemishes to form. Abyssinian oil and shea butter are also both included in this formula. These moisturizing agents won't clog pores in acne-prone skin. This scrub can be used on the face or the body. Either way, the exfoliated seeds will stimulate that body's lymphatic system and increase blood circulation. Don't be surprised if you step out of the shower and notice an all-over glow.

4. Best Charcoal Formula:

CLARISEA Super Detox Charcoal Body Scrub

Here is an acne wash that combines finely ground grains of sea salt with activated charcoal powder, an ingredient proven to be an effective acne treatment for body breakouts. This formula also includes witch hazel, an antibacterial astringent and rose water, an anti-inflammatory that helps to reduce redness, minimize swelling, and control oil production. Finally, lavender essential oil gives this scrub a naturally soothing smell while also assisting with the body scrub's mission to clear acne.

5. Best Containing AHAs:

KOSAS Good Body Skin Exfoliating Wash

You use AHAs in your skincare routine, adding them to your full body routine can only help give you a full-body brightening effect. Lactic and mandelic acids help exfoliate, while tropical fruit enzymes help naturally turnover dry, flaky skin without stripping skin of its natural oils. This product rounds out with added allantoin, which helps condition and soothe sensitive skin. Using this will help unclog pores and fight blemishes to reveal a smoother texture all over your body.

6. Best For On-The-Go:

DR. DENNIS GROSS Alpha Beta® Exfoliating Body Treatment Peel

Okay, so this isn’t exactly a body wash, but it’s a perfect on-the-go wipe for your full body that will help exfoliate and improve imperfections over time. Of course, this begins with helping to clear acne, but it will also improve ingrown hairs, keratosis pilaris, and transform and revitalize dry or sagging skin. Use one cloth all over the body twice a week.

7. Best Scent:

MARIO BADESCU A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap

Whether you have surface blemishes or dry, bumpy skin, this soap is the perfect starting point to cleanse and refresh skin. Plus, the intense grapefruit scent will make you feel like you’re having a luxe day off at the spa; not actively trying to fight off your acne. For surface breakouts, MARIO BADESCU has a cleansing lotion to follow this step of cleansing for a powerhouse duo to help you fight breakouts.

8. Best For Daily Exfoliation:

GLOSSIER Body Hero Oil Wash + Exfoliating Bar

This body wash duo is both dermatologist tested and gynecologist tested, so it’s truly safe for your entire body. If you don’t like having excess products around, this is perfect for you. The oil wash transforms into a frothy soap as it cleanses, and since it’s formulated with grapeseed oil, it can actually help reduce excess oil on your body that causes breakouts. How? Grapeseed oil is a non-greasy oil that’s filled with antioxidants, so even though putting an oil on oily skin sounds counter-intuitive, it can actually help clear bacteria that causes acne over time.

9. Best With Benzoyl Peroxide:

SLMD BP Body Acne Cleansing Wash

This product was created by Dr. Pimple Popper herself, to help kill acne causing bacteria that causes inflammatory breakouts, and helps manage future body acne by keeping inflammation at bay. It’s gentle enough to use daily, and it’s packed with maximum strength benzoyl peroxide. Since the skin on your body and back is thicker than your face, the maximum strength of BP shouldn’t dry out your skin.

10. Best Universally Loved:

KIEHL’S “Ultimate Man” Body Scrub Soap

One of the best ways to keep acne away is to keep up with your exfoliation. The oat kernel meal in this soap acts as a natural exfoliant, to slough off dead skin and stop acne-causing bacteria before it has the chance to build up and clog pores.

Want in on all the IPSY Glam Bag fun? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.

Like this article? Share it with your friends by clicking the icons below!