The Dermatologist Regimen
- Wash with benzoyl peroxide — a foam or wash — and leave it on your back for two to five minutes before rinsing; the American Academy of Dermatology notes it works best that way.
- Add adapalene 0.1% gel after you shower or before bed. Used along with benzoyl peroxide, it can improve your results.
- Wear sweat-wicking clothes when you work out.
- Shower and change as soon as you can after exercise or anything that makes you sweat.
- Give it time, and see a dermatologist if breakouts are deep, painful or scarring, or have not improved after a few months.
Which Ingredient Does What
| Ingredient | What it does | On this page |
|---|---|---|
| Benzoyl peroxide | Kills the bacteria that cause acne | PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash |
| Adapalene 0.1% | A retinoid sold without a prescription; improves results alongside benzoyl peroxide | Differin Gel |
| Salicylic acid | An oil-soluble exfoliant that clears clogged pores | Neutrogena Body Clear, Paula's Choice 2% BHA |
Trapped sweat also matters, which is why the clothing and showering advice sits inside the regimen rather than beside it. For more on the two main actives, see salicylic acid vs benzoyl peroxide and retinol vs adapalene; for facial breakouts, our acne guide.
Picking at body acne is as tempting as picking at your face, and just as counterproductive: the American Academy of Dermatology notes that picking, popping or squeezing makes acne take longer to clear and raises the risk of scarring and dark spots.
