Struggling with body acne? We’ve got your back. These are some of the best soaps, shower gels and drying lotions that can help control those annoying breakouts — not just on your shoulders, but your chest and arms too!

Best Soaps for Body Acne

best soaps for body acne

Medicube Red Body Bar

$24, Guardian

This contains tea tree oil, red bean powder, basil extract and other plant extracts. These natural ingredients help dry out existing back acne while purging dirt, sweat and oil.

Unlike many soaps for body acne, Medicube doesn’t dry out your skin. It has glycerin and macadamia nut oil, which leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.

Dr. Kaufmann Medicated Sulfur Soap

$15 for 2, Carousel or Q0010

One of the most affordable yet most effective soaps for body acne. “It cleared my teen son’s terrible body acne in just a month! It also helps with body odour, even if he’s out playing sports all day,” says one review.

However, the soap can be very drying. Use it only on the affected areas, and be sure to apply a non-comedogenic body lotion after.

VMV Hypoallergenics Id Clarifying Body Soap

$18, Redmart/Lazada

This soap doesn’t just fight pimples — it can fade blemishes and dark spots, and make your skin look smoother. It contains salicylic acid, virgin coconut oil, and glycerin.

Since it’s a gentle body soap, you can use it from head to toe! “I even use it on my face, and I think it works even better than my old face wash,” says one beauty review.

Incredible by Nature African Black Soap

$14.95, Amazon

This body soap has over 400 five-star reviews on Amazon! You can use it on your face and your body. It can help treat acne, rashes and burns. It even fades scars and heal dry, irritated skin.

This natural body soap for body acne is made of unrefined shea butter, cocoa butter and palm oil. It’s very potent and concentrated, so don’t rub it directly on the skin. You just need to lather it in your hands and apply — so one tiny bar lasts forever!

“It’s been 8 months of continued use, and I couldn’t be happier. I haven’t had a new blemish in over 2 months and I used to break out every other day!” says one Amazon review.

Best Shower Gels for Body Acne

Mario Badescu A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap

$20, Sephora

This shower gel clears and rejuvenates your skin. It has papaya and grapefruit extracts that help clear out dead skin cells. It aso has ginseng extract and oat proteins, which can heal the skin.

This is one of the best shower gels for both sensitive and acne-prone skin. We also love the fresh, subtle scent!

Murad Acne Body Wash

$65, Shopee

While pricey, this body wash clears backne really quickly! It contains 1% salicylic acid to end breakouts and prevent new ones, too.

“I got this for my boyfriend who doesn’t have terrible back acne but he still gets small little breakouts that are constant. This has been his holy grail. He loves it. This has helped control his minor breakouts on his back/chest and a bit on his neck too,” says one beauty review.

One bottle can last long, too. One reviewer suggested using it only on the affected areas. “Itypically use this twice a week with exfoliating gloves to prevent a breakout, and every day to get rid of those random pimples that come out during my period. One bottle generally lasts me 2 to 3 months.”

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash

$24.90, Lazada

Not ready to pay more than $60 for a body wash for your body acne? Then you’ll love this. It’s just a few dollars more expensive than the best soaps for body acne, but with the convenience of a shower gel. “I bring this to the gym or on weekend trips. I can transfer it to a smaller bottle, too — so easy to carry around!” says Alice.

Beauty reviews also applaud its fresh scent and how it gently clears back acne without drying out your skin. It has vitamin C, salicylic acid and grapefruit extract. Plus, it has Neutrogena’s patented microclear technology, which breaks down oils and declogs pores.

Best Drying Lotions for Body Acne

Pixi Glow Tonic

$9, Sephora

One of our favourite toners for the face also doubles as an amazing back acne treatment! It has 5% glycolic acid to fight zits. If your back is red and itchy too, this one’s got soothing aloe and ginseng extracts. Your skin will be smooth and clear in no time!

COSRX One Step Original Clear Pad

$22.90, Insider Mall

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These very popular scruffing pads gently exfoliate your face — and can be used on your back acne too! They contain BHAs, which clear out pores and help lighten acne marks. (By the way, some people love using them to lighten armpits too. Is there anything these pads can’t do?)

Find More Tips and Treatments for Body Acne

Why stop at finding the best soaps for body acne? Check out tips from dermatologists on how to fight back acne, treatments for acne scars and blemishes, best products for adult acne, and more!