Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million people annually, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. And it doesn’t discriminate — anyone can get acne at any age. Severe acne, which can appear on both the face and the body, can also lead to scarring and even depression in some people. When it comes to body acne treatment and prevention, washes are often a first-line measure as they are inexpensive, readily available, and perfect for at-home use. But just how do you know which one is the best? When shopping for the best body wash to keep acne at bay, it’s important to remember that not all products are created equal.
What to Look for in an Acne Wash
Active Ingredients Sandy Skotnicki, MD, founder of Toronto’s Bay Dermatology Centre and author of the skincare book Beyond Soap, says people should look for body washes that contain active ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. “The best for body acne is benzoyl peroxide,” says Dr. Skotnicki. “Just make sure you wash it off well with a face cloth, or it can bleach your towels and even sheets.”Formulated for Body Skotnicki says that, in general, body and face washes for acne should not be interchanged. “The ingredient concentrations are regulated differently. Companies can use higher concentrations of detergents for body,” says Skotnicki. “Typical benzoyl peroxide washes for face are around two percent to five percent and body washes for acne are often around 10 percent.”Avoid Too Many Products Skotnicki also says that people who use acne medication — either over-the-counter or prescription — should not use an acne wash. “The combination of both is too much, and often dries the skin out,” she says.Fragrance-Free Another recommendation is to use products without any added fragrance that could irritate sensitive skin. “Over-foaming cleansers with lots of bells and whistles like lovely smelling orange blossom, for example, are not necessary, and are just satisfying consumer need for something different or fun,” says Skotnicki. “Fragrances both natural and synthetic can lead to irritations. This includes botanical or plant-based fragrance.”Non-Comedogenic Other ingredients to look for include oils that can help to moisturize skin — but make sure the package says non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores.
If you’re looking to treat “bacne,” try these options.
Bioderma Micellar Cleanser
See price on Jet.com
Aprilis Dead Sea Mud Mask
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
See price on Walmart
Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
See price on Jet.com
