Got Blackheads on Your Back? This Will Help

When you think about spots and blemishes, it’s usually related to your nose, chin, your forehead, and the area around your lips.

But what about those stubborn blackheads and whiteheads on your back that pop up unannounced and uninvited?

Not limited to any one part of your body, blackheads on your back can hide for a while before you ‘spot’ them (yeah, groan on that pun).

Whether you’re dealing with bacne or even ‘buttne’ (yep, that's actually a thing; blemishes on your backside happen), we’ve listed some highly rated products below for you to check out on how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from coming back.

What Causes Blackheads on the Back?

Before we discuss how to get rid of blackheads on the back, we must first understand what causes them. The truth is, blackheads on your back can spring up for several different reasons.

Your back is actually a super-common place for blemishes to hunker down. Bacteria, excess oil, and dead skin cells can all work their way in and cause the clogged pores on the back to spread quickly.

Watch dermal therapist, James Vivian explain why blackheads form, how to treat them and how to avoid making them worse in the video below

Back acne and infected pores on the back can become irritated by the clothes you wear. If you love to work out but don’t wash your activewear as often as you should, you could encourage something called acne mechanica to form on your skin.

When sweat and heat are combined with pressure and friction on the skin (like when your clothes feel too tight and you start to sweat), you might notice and think there are more blackheads on your back than usual.

There’s more! You know when you wash your hair and let the conditioner rinse away like a glamazon goddess bathing in a waterfall? Where do you think that conditioner lingers? You got it: on your back. Hair products not thoroughly rinsed off your skin can clog the pores, causing enlarged pores on back problems. Le ‘sigh’ ...

Skipping the grubby gym showers (don’t blame you) and walking around with sweaty skin could cause a blackhead or two. As will tight clothing and even the straps on your bra or backpack.

We’ll always (always!) encourage you to wear sunscreen. But to prevent painful blackhead on back issues, pick the best physical sunscreen for acne-prone skin plagued with blackheads.

To help reduce this kind of acne and prevent big pores on the back from forming, it’s important you (a) wash your clothes frequently and (b) treat the skin on your back to a cleansing routine of its own.

How To Get Rid of Blackheads on the Back?

Even now that you know what causes them, stubborn blackhead removal can be quite involved. A professional can extract those on your back for you, or you can instead use body products containing vital AHAs and BHAs to get rid of them.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) help to remove dead skin cells and other debris by working as an exfoliator. As clogged pores are generally what causes blackheads on the back with all kinds of oil, debris, and dead skin cells, this is an excellent tool for those looking how to get rid of them (for good).

Additionally, Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) can offer deeper penetration of the skin. This means they can clear out pores and stabilise the skin’s lining to reduce acne and promote greater cleansing.

Together, these products make for an excellent blackhead removal treatment for your back (as well as a method to prevent them from returning).

Even now that you know what causes them, the removal of stubborn blackheads can be quite involved. A professional can extract those on your back for you, or you can instead use body products containing vital AHAs and BHAs to get rid of them.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) help to remove dead skin cells and other debris by working as an exfoliator. As clogged pores are generally what causes blackheads on the back with all kinds of oil, debris, and dead skin cells, this is an excellent tool for those looking how to get rid of them (for good).

Additionally, Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) can offer deeper penetration of the skin. This means they can clear out pores and stabilise the skin’s lining to reduce acne and promote greater cleansing.

Together, these products make for an excellent blackhead removal treatment for your back (as well as a method to prevent them from returning).

Here’s our list of recommendations to help you with blackhead removal:

The asap revitalising bodyscrub 200ml is made with a concentrated combination of oils, antioxidants, vitamins, and AHAs, this scrub soothes the skin and helps tease away annoying blackheads on the back. Cruelty-free, vegan, Australian-made, and completely artificial fragrance-free, this scrub polishes the skin to a new smoothness.

A derivative of Salicylic Acid, 0.06% LHA also helps you fight back blemishes and more. Perfect for all ages and all skin types to enjoy,La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro Peeling Cleanser 200ml also contains Zinc. Zinc helps regulate oil production and promotes healing in the skin, which will prevent more blackheads from popping up on your back if you consistently use this formula. Plus, Thermal Spring Water calms the skin and keeps it smooth. Use as often as you need to help bring some balance back to the skin on your body.

Made with an impressive Prebiotic Moisture Complex, Dermalogica Active Moist 100ml provides the skin with long-lasting hydration. Non-comedogenic and great for acne-prone skin, this formula suits both face and body. PETA-accredited and completely cruelty-free, this natural, vegan formula evens out the skin’s tone and helps keep oily patches and blackheads at bay. Silk Aminos boost the skin’s natural barrier. Lemon and Burdock Extracts help refine the skin’s texture. And Cucumber Extract soothes and hydrates the skin.

Made for skin that’s a little bit older, Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 200ml also helps tackle fine lines. In fact, it’s great for use on any textured parts of your face and body that need smoothing.

Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% is a great treatment for ingrown hairs, and the hydrating formula won’t leave your skin feeling tight and uncomfortable. But it’s great for oilier skin types too! Just squeeze a small amount of the formula between your palms. Smooth it all over your body to begin your clear-skin journey.

Cruelty-free and vegan, SALT BY HENDRIX Body Buff with Coffee + Marula Oil is an Australian-made formula to help make your skin feel and look softer and smoother after just one use. Dead skin cells, dirt, and impurities drift away from your skin, leaving you feeling soothed and moisturised. Suitable for all skin types, this luxury vegan scrub goes into the shower with you to tend to your skin with a caring, smoothing treatment.

All you need to do to feel the full benefits of this gentle cleanser is to wet the skin with warm water, before massaging the product into the skin using circular motions. Finally, rinse gently and pat the skin dry, ready to continue with the rest of your skin care routine.

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Resurfacing Body Cloths have all of the radiance-boosting, exfoliating effects of Alpha-H’s bestselling Liquid Gold, in travel-friendly cloths. The disposable wipes smooth over your body easily and help improve uneven skin tone, keratosis pilaris, ingrown hairs, blemishes, blackheads, and anything else that’s troubling your skin.

How to Prevent Blackheads on the Back

The best defence is a good offence, so knowing how to prevent blackheads on the back is just as worthwhile as their initial removal. Here are some more accessible ways to tackle back acne head-on!

·   Use a cleanser with salicylic acid to break down oil and debris before it can clog pores, along with gentle exfoliators containing AHAs and BHAs.

·   Warm the skin to open up pores, ready to release oil and dead skin cells. You can use the heat from a washcloth, leaving it in contact with the skin for around fifteen minutes, to see results.

·   Make a green tea paste using water and green tea leaves and apply it to your back. This has been suggested to help reduce sebum production, leaving less oil on the skin.

·   A chemical peel may help with the removal of any dead skin cells and debris that could cause stubborn blackheads on the back.

·   Exfoliating the skin with microdermabrasion can remove the top layer of the skin, relieving it of built-up skin cells and ideally preventing the occurrence of blackheads.

·   Wear loose-fitting clothing when working out or experiencing warmer, humid climates to avoid sweat and sebum build-up trapped in pores.

·   Always shower and change after exercising to refresh skin and prevent the build-up of impurities.

Want more tips on how to get rid of blackheads and clogged pores? Check out these helpful guides...

• What Causes Blackheads?

• Best Products for Blackheads

• Our Top Products for Removing Clogged Pores

• How to Decongest Your Clogged Pores With Skinstitut

• How to Unclog Your Pores with Alpha-H Clear Skin

• The Best Pore Minimsers

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