Acnes do not only occur on the face but there are other places those breakouts can pop up, your back included. Back acne also called bacne happens when dead skin cells and oil from the sebaceous glands block the pores on your skin that can cause inflammation. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age as it does not have a specific age for breakouts to happen. If you have a bad hygiene habit or have been stressing out, expect a few zits to come out on your body. The difficulty to reach to treating those nasty zits is understandable. Worry not because there are a few ways to treat back acne. Here are the top 10 ways to treat back acne in Malaysia.
What Are The Causes Of Back Acne?
There are fair amounts of reasons as to why acne can happen on the back of your body but some of them are your genetics, how much you sweat and your stress level.
- Genetics
There is no such thing as an acne gene. Regardless of that fact, genetics can be the cause of whether or not you are prone to acne.
- Sweat
Sweat can trap oil and sweat close to the skin so choose your clothing correctly before working out.
- Stress
Research has shown a connection between stress and acne flare-ups.
10 Best Ways To Treat Back Acne
1. Pick A Suitable Clothing

Tight gym clothes can trap sweat and oil close to your skin so wearing a suitable material is crucial to avoid the forming of back acnes. Some such fabrics include polyester, lycra, bamboo, and wool are suitable. Hit the shower as soon as you can after working out and remember to bring fresh clothes to the gym!
Specifications:
- Material: 80% Polyester Fiber, 20% Spandex
- Sizes Available: S-XXL
- Colours Available: Pink, Black, Purple, Blue
Pros:
✅ Sweat-resistance
✅ No trace and embarrassing line
✅ Good ventilation
Price: RM18.99 – RM39.99
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
2. Take Care Of Your Diet

It has been found that the foods you eat can be one of many causes of back acne. Avoid or completely cut down on foods with a high glycemic index, like white bread and potatoes because they cause your blood sugar to spike. Eat foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead!
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Organic Pumpkin Seeds
- Weight: 200g
Pros:
✅ Rich in B vitamins
✅ Gluten-free
✅ Essential fatty acids, protein and zinc.
Price: RM9.69
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
3. Exfoliate As Much As Possible

Body scrub acts as a dead skin cells remover and they allow your skin to absorb moisturiser better. It will help to unclog pores and also prevent ingrown hairs. Apply a salicylic acid-based body scrub on your back two to three times per week to get rid of back acne.
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Jojoba Esters, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Fragrance, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 40, Red 33, Blue 1
- Skin Type: Acne Prone
- Sizes Available: 250ml
Pros:
✅ Oil-free
✅ Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
✅ Available in Body Wash and Body Scrub
Price: RM59.00
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
4. Lightly Moisturise Your Skin

Using a lighter touch while applying moisturiser on your back area is important because the area has more oil glands than your extremities. An extra moisturiser may not be needed.
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Aqua / Water / Eau, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Methylparaben, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Disodium Edta, Dipotassium Phosphate, Propylparaben, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
- Skin Type: Normal to Dry Skin
- Sizes Available: 90ml, 355ml, 562ml
Pros:
✅ Lightweight and non-greasy
✅ Rebuilds skin’s protective barrier
✅ Accepted by the National Eczema Association
Price: RM29.90 – RM124.60
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
5. Use Tea Tree Oil

Not only helpful with dealing with back acne, but tea tree oil can also treat a variety of skin issues. It will help in killing extra bacteria so as to reduce acne. It is a good option if the medications you buy over the counter are not showing any improvements on your skin.
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Organic Tea Tree
- Skin Type: Oily, Blemished Skin
- Sizes Available: 10ml
Pros:
✅ Purifying facial oil
✅ Perfect for oily and blemish-prone skin
✅ Feels super refreshing
✅ Vegan
Price: RM44.00
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
6. Change Your Bedsheets

Clean everything that frequently touches your skin like bedsheets. To get rid of back acne, change and wash your sheets weekly to prevent the exposure of dead skin cells and body oils that have been rubbed off on them.
Specifications:
- Material: Cotton
- Sizes Available: Single, Queen, King
- Designs Available: Variety
Pros:
✅ 100% cotton
✅ Breathable
✅ 360-degree fitted sheet
Price: RM16.06 – RM44.70
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
7. Choose A Good Sunscreen

Exposed or not, your back needs a layer of protection from the blaring sun as much as your facial skin. Choose a sunscreen that is oil-free and feels like to the skin to prevent clogging your pores.
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Water, Homosalate, Benzophenone-3, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Silica, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Behenyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, BHT, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Ethylparaben, Trideceth-6, Propylene Glycol, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate
- Skin Type: All skin type
- Sizes Available: 88ml
Pros:
✅ Oil-free
✅ Dry-touch sunscreen
✅ Mild fragrance
Price: RM30.59
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
8. Bath In Epsom Salt Water

Do not get confused between Epsom salt and sea salt because the former is not actually salt. It is a mineral found in water that contains magnesium and sulfate at high levels. Epsom salts help relax your muscles and also improve your skin conditions. Wash off properly to avoid drying.
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Magnesium, Sulfate
- Skin Type: Normal
- Sizes Available: 375g, 1.2kg
Pros:
✅ Water-soluble
✅ Reduces swelling
✅ Help to produce Serotonin
✅ Draws toxins from the body
Price: RM7.50 – RM15.90
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
9. Use A Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

Apple cider vinegar is also known as AVC has a long history and had been used way back. It is a fermented apple cider that is shown to kill different types of bacteria and prevent infections which can lead to clearer and healthier skin.
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, Filtered Water (diluted to 5% acidity)
- Skin Type: Oily, Acne-Prone
- Sizes Available: 50ml, 100ml
Pros:
✅ Anti-ageing
✅ Detoxing
✅ Boost immune system
✅ Helps reduce acne
Price: RM5.04 – RM7.60
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
10. Switch Your Hair Products

There are many factors that can contribute to back acnes so it is difficult to pinpoint a single culprit. Switch your shampoo to a non-comedogenic shampoo instead to get the benefits out of its natural ingredients that contain antibacterial properties to clear pimples.
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Aqua (Water, Eau), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamide MIPA, Parfum (Fragrance), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Panthenol, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Menthol, Hedychium Coronarium (White Ginger) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Algae Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract Glycerin, Oleamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Glycol Stearate, PEG-150 Distearate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-7, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl PG-Propyl Dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, CI 42090 (Blue 1), CI 19140 (Yellow 5).
- Hair Type: For all type
- Sizes Available: 300ml, 1L
Pros:
✅ Natural ingredients
✅ Moisturising
✅ Pleasant aroma
✅ Vegan and paraben-free
Price: RM83.00 – RM235.00
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.