Why *Everyone* Needs These Products for Body Acne & Keratosis Pilaris In Their Shower
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
Hi, my name is Amy and I'm about to tell you, a complete stranger, about what's going on in my undies.
Honestly, I felt I'd be doing a national disservice if I didn't shed some light on a 'cringey' but common beauty thing you're probably thinking about, too.
I'm talking about body acne.
Some people get back-ne (pimples on their back). In my case, it's specifically pimples on my bum and backs of thighs.
I've noticed an increasing number of pimples, spots, bumps and blackheads on the backs of my thighs and butt lately.
What causes this, you ask?
Sitting on your backside doing absolutely nothing, and wearing the same pair of pyjamas, track pants or activewear tights for God knows how many days.
Butt-ne, bum-ne and pimply thighs are completely normal and quite common. It's also fairly easy to get rid of (if you want to).
All you need are are few products that take zero effort to use in the shower.
Even better, you can use the same method to help manage keratosis pilaris (also known as chicken skin) on the backs of your arms, and pimples on your back and chest.
Keep scrolling for a step-by-step guide to getting rid of pimples on your back, bum and the backs of your thighs...
Including a certain cult 'bump eraser' product that went viral on TikTok.
You can learn more about skincare for your body in our YouTube video below.
Why Do I Get Pimples on My Bum?
Great question, and here's a quick refresher on body acne and pimples.
The pimples on your bum, the backs of your thighs and under your bum cheeks (we agreed, no judgement, yeah?) are different to the pimples on your face.
When you spend a lot of time sitting down, the hair follicles on the backs of your thighs and bum can become blocked and inflamed due to sweat, heat and friction, wearing tight clothing, and all of the above.
The result? Sore, painful pimples.
Times this by 1,000 if you add in warm weather, a humid climate, not showering and changing after exercising, and/or thighs that rub together.
That last one is also completely normal.
Listen to this ep of the Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast below for more exfoliation and keratosis pilaris tips.
How to Get Rid of Pimples on Your Bum. Or Back.
Firstly, figure out what type of situation you're dealing with back there.
If you've got a rash or rash-like irritation, or what looks to be an infection, head to your GP for treatment options including antibiotics or a steroid ointment.
The rest of you, come with me.
Instead of hectically scrubbing your poor bum with a physical scrub, use a chemical exfoliant like an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta hydroxy acid (BHA) to loosen the dead skin cells clogging up hair follicles on the affected areas.
These ingredients are also great for smoothing the appearance of keratosis pilaris.
The Best Body Exfoliator Products.
I've tried a heck of a lot of products for body acne, bum pimples and chicken skin over the years.
These are the genuine winners for reducing body acne, and refining the texture of the skin on my thighs, back, arms and bum. These are the best products for back acne, bum acne or any body acne you may have.
1. FIRST AID BEAUTY KP Bump Eraser with 10% AHA.
I'm calling it. Everyone needs the FIRST AID BEAUTY KP Bump Eraser with 10% AHA 226g in their shower.
The chemical and physical body exfoliator is one of those cult TikTok-famous products that genuinely lives up to the hype.
You've got 10% combined AHAs lactic and glycolic acids, and pumice buffing beads to physically smooth rough areas and bumps.
The creamy base and fine grain texture ensures you won't scrub your skin red raw. That said, ensure your skin is wet before application, and go light on with pressure to let the formula do the work.
Most importantly, Bump Eraser is super effective. I saw a noticeable result in the texture of my skin after one use.
2. Skinstitut Glycolic Cleanser 14%.
That's right, I'm telling you to use a face scrub on your bum.
I've been using the Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% to gently exfoliate the skin on my lower body, back and upper arms - heyyy, keratosis pilaris - for years.
It's super affordable and packed with active ingredients that actually get the job done.
The 14% glycolic acid in a creamy scrub base effectively eats away the gunk clogging your hair follicles and helps renew skin texture to treat any dark spots (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) that pimples leave behind.
I use this product on my body in the shower every day and it's as normal as washing my face or leaning up against the shower wall contemplating life's big questions.
3. Medik8 Smooth Body Exfoliating Kit.
Cosmeceutical skin care isn't just for your face now.
Medik8 Smooth Body Exfoliating Kit is a three-step cosmeceutical body care system, which sounds like a lot of work but really isn't.
The kit comes with an exfoliating mitt you can use dry or wet like a dry body brush, or to prep the skin for fake tan, but it's the Smooth Body Scrub and Lotion that've impressed me the most.
They both contain lactic acid (an AHA) and salicylic acid (a BHA) to thoroughly exfoliate the inside of blocked pores, plus deeply hydrating ingredients like squalane, glycerin and urea.
I'm trying to use this every night on my upper and lower body, even though moisturising your body has to be the most boring of all beauty tasks.
4. CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser & Cream.
This affordable skincare brand do two different exfoliating face and body products:
Because salicylic acid is oil-soluble, it's particularly great for managing blemishes and pimples.
Think of it like an excavator, but for your clogged pores.
Both CeraVe salicylic acid products are cheap, cheerful and effective.
I prefer the SA cleanser because it's quick and easy to use in the shower. My partner uses it as his nightly cleanser for his oily skin and visible pores.
Prefer a body moisturiser that'll hydrate and exfoliate? Apply the SA cream all over and you're done!
Finally, the last product I'm going to recommend is another face wash you can buy at the supermarket.
It's called Phisohex and it's an antibacterial wash that'll kill bacteria on the area likely to cause infection.
Regardless of whichever product you pick, use it consistently and pimples, be gone.
And that brings us to the (rear) end of this tale.
God, I love a happy ending.
Want more great body care product recommendations? Check out these stories from our Adore Beauty staff below!
