Solved! The Pretty Obvious Reason Your Back Acne Just Won’t Quit

Unlike the massive spot that rears up on your chin the morning of that Tinder date, back and chest acne are a bit easier to keep hidden.

Cover up with a t-shirt or jumper and you’re all set, right? Right. Except some days, you don’t want to cover up.

If you’ve had to relegate one too many backless dresses and sheer tops to the rear of your wardrobe due to an unwelcome case of bacne, it might be time to rethink your skincare routine.

Yes, some back and chest breakouts are hormonal – if you’ve just started or come off the Pill, for example – but others are very preventable.

Like this article? Then you’ll love this: 7 Unexpected Things That Happened When I Came Off The Pill After Four Years

Chief among the surprising culprits behind bacne is something you wear every day… your bra.

Yup, that lacy pink Victoria’s Secret number could be the thing that’s messing up your skincare, thanks to a little thing called acne mechanica. And if you work out on the regular, your sports bra could be to blame too.

“Tight clothing mixed with friction and excess moisture, such as sweat, can lead to the development of acne,” dermatologist Dr. Jeremy Fenton tells Byrdie.

Even if you’re not a fan of tight tops, bra straps are one of the main causes of acne mechanica, says Dr Jeremy.

“The friction can irritate the skin and disrupt the surface, which can clog the pores with dead skin cells and lead to inflammation.”

His advice? Shower as soon as you can after exercise, and be sure to change to a clean bra every 2 – 3 days.

“The most important treatment is to avoid leaving moist clothing pressed against the skin for long periods of time and to promptly remove clothing and shower immediately after exercise,” he emphasises.

As for skincare, some gentle exfoliation two or three times a week will go a long way, too.

And there you have it, our fast track to a (more) beautiful back. Now, to find the perfect backless dress to go with your bacne-free skin…

• back acne
• bacne
• bad skin
• skincare
• spots