Whether you deal with frequent breakouts on your back and shoulders or become more prone to zits after sweating through a tough workout, the best acne body washes can help remedy some of the most extreme flare-ups. These highly effective cleansers use ingredients like salicylic and glycolic acids to gently exfoliate the skin while minimizing congestion.
“If your body acne is related to retained sweat and oils on the skin, then getting into the shower after sweating and using the right body wash can help to combat these breakouts,” Courtney Rubin, board-certified dermatologist and chief medical officer of Fig.1 Beauty, tells Bazaar.
Shop the Best Acne Body Washes
- Best OverallProactiv Acne Body WashRead more
- Best Maximum-Strength TreatmentPanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Maximum StrengthRead more
- Most ViralNaturium The Perfector Salicylic Acid Body WashRead more
There are a lot of soaps and shower gels out there, which is why we sifted through customer reviews and asked expert dermatologists about the best acne body washes to treat breakouts without drying out your skin. Scroll through for the top cleansers—from tried-and-true picks like PanOxyl’s Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Maximum Strength to newer favorites like Nécessaire’s The Body Acne Wash—that reduce acne while fading existing marks and pigmentation.
Best Overall
Proactiv Acne Body Wash
$36 at Ulta Beauty$26 at Amazon$49 at WalmartCredit: Ulta
Pros
- Contains two percent salicylic acid
- Gentle cleanser
Cons
- Over $35
While just looking at this tube might mentally take you back to your hormonal high school years, Proactiv is a foolproof choice for treating body acne. It contains salicylic acid and glycolic acid to reduce current flare-ups, prevent future acne, and help lingering marks from older breakouts fade. Plus, its formula also nicely features vitamin E and aloe to soothe and hydrate skin.
One satisfied customer writes: “Definitely seen a noticeable difference after using this product. My back acne is clearing up like never before.” —Shanika J.
Best Maximum-Strength Treatment
PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Maximum Strength
$12 at Ulta Beauty$10 at WalmartCredit: Ulta
Pros
- Contains highest over the counter benzoyl peroxide wash available
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- High-concentration of benzoyl peroxide may stain bath towels
Another beloved cleanser option experts love is PanOxyl’s Acne Foaming Wash. Since the wash contains 10 percent benzoyl peroxide, its formula is best for treating stubborn body acne on skin that’s not super sensitive. Pro tip from board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian: Benzoyl peroxide can lighten the color of your towels, so make sure to rinse off this cleanser thoroughly.
One satisfied customer writes: “This is the one staple product that’s never not in my bathroom. I use [it] to wash my whole body and could never live without it. It leaves no pimples on your back arms, or anywhere else, and removes all smell. It is the perfect body wash.” —Jen
Most Viral
Naturium The Perfector Salicylic Acid Body Wash
$16 at Amazon$16 at Ulta Beauty$23 at us.spacenk.comCredit: Amazon
Pros
- Works for all skin types
Cons
- Some reviewers say the formula can make skin feel dry
Bazaar editors are big fans of Naturium’s beauty staples, including this time-released salicylic acid body wash, which is safe for daily use. To fully reap its acne-clearing benefits, let the wash sit on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing it off in the shower.
One satisfied customer writes: “Absolutely loved this body wash! A 10/10 for sure. Had my chest area smooth and great results.” —KeyAmirra
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Best For Face and Body
Dr. Loretta Dr. Loretta Micro-Exfoliating Cleanser
$38 at Revolve$35 at Amazon$26 at WalmartCredit: Revolve
Pros
- Features a sulfate-free formula
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Over $35
If you’re looking for a gentle in-shower cleanser that can be used on your face and body, consider this one by Dr. Loretta. It contains the highest concentration of salicylic available in a cleanser without a prescription and is packed with hydrating actives to leave skin soothed and moisturized as it fights acne.
One satisfied customer writes: “I have really sensitive skin, which makes finding a cleanser difficult. This is both gentle and super effective, my skin has cleared up so much!” —Melissa
Best for Your Top Shelfie
Nécessaire The Body Acne Wash | 2% Salicylic Acid
$20 at necessaire.com$20 at Sephora$16 at WalmartCredit: Nécessaire
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Features a non-comedogenic formula
Cons
While some of the best acne body washes can look medicinal in your bathroom, this streamlined option for Nécessaire won’t stick out like a sore thumb. Its aluminum packaging is refillable, with a formula that combines salicylic acid with zinc to regulate sebum production, along with niacinamide to fade post-acne hyperpigmentation.
One satisfied customer writes: “I love the packaging and gentleness of the formula. perfect to use post work out!” —Nancy G.
Best for Dry Skin
Doctor Rogers Body Wash
$46 at Joanna Czech$46 at DermstoreCredit: Joanna Czech
Pros
- Dermatologist-approved
- Helps boost hydration
Cons
- Cream formula may be too heavy for oily skin types
Sometimes, treating body acne with a highly medicated salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide wash can dry out the skin and increase inflammation. This creamy cleanser formula, created by dermatologist Heather Rogers, prioritizes ingredients like antioxidants, emollients, and humectants to cleanse and soothe the skin without leaving it feeling like sandpaper.
One customer writes: “Dr. Rogers body wash has reduced dryness in my skin—my skin has become so much smoother.” —Linda H.
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Best Drugstore
Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash
Now 25% Off
$27 at AmazonCredit: Amazon
Pros
- Oil-free
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Some reviewers say formula can be drying
Not only is Neutrogena’s Body Clear Acne Wash dermatologist recommended thanks to its combination of salicylic acid and hydration-boosting glycerin, but it’s also nicely sold in a three-pack on Amazon which makes it easy to stay stocked up for months.
One customer writes: “This is my favorite body wash. It is a good value and has been super effective in clearing up my body acne. The packaging is simple as are the ingredients and scent.” —Crystal J.
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Best for Beginners
Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash
Now 12% Off
$9 at Amazon$10 at WalmartCredit: Amazon
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Contains fragrance-free formula
Cons
This budget-friendly wash from Cetaphil combines salicylic acid to treat zits, plus, shea butter and soybean oil to offset dryness post-shower. Its fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula is also dermatologist-tested and formulated for sensitive skin.
One customer writes: “Both my boyfriend and I have been using this! It’s a creamy, moisturizing body wash. I typically don’t like using body wash on my back and instead I use face wash however, I feel comfortable enough to use it everywhere: body and face.” —Briana V.
Best with Physical Exfoliants
Murad Acne Body Wash
$48 at Ulta Beauty$48 at Amazon$48 at NordstromCredit: Ulta
Pros
- Paraben-free formula
- Sulfate-free formula
Cons
- Over $45
Sometimes it’s nice to have a body wash containing physical exfoliants to help slough away dead skin (or self-tanner) while fighting acne. This is a great choice, with salicylic acid, green tea, and physical exfoliant in date seed powder, which is much gentler and less abrasive than walnut shells of the past.
One customer writes: “I have been using this product for about a week and my body acne is almost fully cleared up. Would absolutely recommend.” —Miley
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Best Value
Differin Acne-Clearing Body Wash
$16 at CVSCredit: CVS
Pros
- Features a sulfate-free formula
Cons
- Must be applied to dampened skin
Differin’s Adapalene Gel is one of the best OTC acne medications available, and the brand’s clarifying cream-to-lather body wash is just as popular for fighting breakouts. Its two-percent salicylic acid and blue tansy formula is ideal for treating zits on your back, chest, and shoulders.
One customer writes: “This product is great in the shower to help heal my body acne. It is silky and doesn’t leave a residue or dry my skin. The scent is a clean fresh smell and doesn’t linger for long. You get a big tube of product for a good price.” —Em
Meet the experts
• Courtney Rubin, M.D., F.A.A.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and chief medical officer at Fig.1 Beauty.
• Heather D. Rogers, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and founder and CEO of Doctor Rogers Skincare.
• Rachel Nazarian, M.D., F.A.A.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
• Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., F.A.A.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare.
• Robyn Gmyrek, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm in New York City.
Can body wash help get rid of acne?
They can be effective, for sure. “Washes with active ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide help treat acne by removing debris and dead skin cells on the surface, unclogging the pore, destroying bacteria, and decreasing oil production,” explains Gmyrek. Of course, with acne, there’s no magic bullet solution. “While these washes will help improve acne in almost all patients, they may not be enough to ‘get rid’ of acne for good, especially if there is a hormonal, dietary, medical, or genetic reason that the acne is occurring and that situation not addressed.”
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Is vitamin C a key ingredient for minimizing body acne?
Vitamin C is not a key ingredient in the treatment of body acne, according to dermatologists. However, “If you have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from body acne or uneven texture with some depressions, a vitamin C body wash can help these issues,” explains Ciraldo. For active acne, she prefers salicylic acid. “Salicylic acid is an FDA-approved active ingredient for the treatment of acne — so it would be best for active acne or to prevent new body acne,” she explains.
Other effective acne-fighting ingredients include benzoyl peroxide, which Rogers explains “is an antibiotic that can help with bacterial overgrowth that contributes to acne.” Glycolic acid may also be effective in helping the skin stay clear. “It effectively removes dead skin and activates cell turnover,” explains Rogers. You may have to experiment with a few cleansers to see which active ingredients, or combinations, are best tolerated on your skin.
