How to Get Rid of Butt Acne, According to Dermatologists

Anyone who’sacne-proneknows benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid for their pimple-busting properties. Dr.Sandra Lee, a.k.a. Dr. Pimple Popper and the founder ofSLMD Skincare, describes these as “maximum-strength ingredients,” especially useful since your butt skin tends to be thicker than that on your face. All of the dermatologists we talked to recommended a wash with either ingredient, but benzoyl peroxide was the more popular of the two.

PanOxyl’s benzoyl peroxide washes were the most mentioned among our experts — Kikam, Gonzalez, Dr. Heidi A. Waldorf ofWaldorf Dermatology Aesthetics, and Dr. Marisa Garshick ofMDCS Dermatologyname-checked the brand. This cleanser contains a higher than average amount of benzoyl peroxide (4 percent versus the usual 2.5). But it’s not the highest concentration you’ll see — PanOxyl makes a wash with10 percent benzoyl peroxidethat Garshick says you could build up to if needed, though she points out that some studies have shown that a higher concentration doesn’t equal more effectiveness.

Benzoyl peroxide can cause itchiness, redness, and dryness, but this creamy cleanser features emollients and humectants like glycerin to reduce those side effects and “boost tolerability,” Garshick adds. Just make sure to rinse it off completely to avoid bleach stains on towels, robes, and sheets. (And if you want a double-duty cleanser that works on your face, Gonzalez okayed thisfoaming face washfrom CeraVe.)

Salicylic acid — a staple in many medicine cabinets already — is helpful for unclogging pores and sloughing away dead skin cells. “For this reason, larger red bumps tend to be best treated with benzoyl peroxide while smaller breakouts will often do well with a salicylic-acid-containing cleanser,” Garshick says. (You can alternate between the two depending on what’s popping up on your skin.) This CeraVe recommendation comes courtesy of Garshick and Jaliman, who both praise its pore-clearing abilities without causing dryness or irritation. There’sniacinamideandhyaluronic acidin there too — the two work together to strengthen the skin barrier, making it “excellent forsensitive skin,” according to Jaliman. We’ve also heard good things aboutNeutrogena’s Body Clear washfrom Kikam and New York City-based dermatologist Dr.Michele Green, who recommends using it twice daily.

Butt acne is sometimes the consequence of not showering after sweaty workouts, so you might want to introduce an antibacterial soap to take care of bacteria. Waldorf likes this folliculitis-focused CLn SportWash; its standout ingredient is sodium hypochlorite, which she describes as a “less potent relative of hypochlorous acid.” (Hypochlorous acid healsour skin from bacteria.) That means there’s a lower chance of irritation compared to benzoyl peroxide, though Waldorf says the BP may be a better choice if you have very active acne.

After cleansing, you’ll want to apply a toner with exfoliating acids to help even out texture — either salicylic acid (a BHA or beta hydroxy acid) or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic and lactic acids. Despite the “peeling” in its name, this toner has a low percentage of glycolic acid, which keeps it gentle yet effective in unclogging pores, Jaliman explains.

Garshick likes these on-the-go-friendly salicylic acid wipes because they’re easy to use, especially on hard-to-reach affected areas. These remove excess oil, dirt, and buildup to prevent future breakouts, and the antioxidant-rich green-tea extract calms red and irritated skin.

If you want something even more convenient, Garshick gives a thumbs-up to thisGlytone treatment spray. Besides salicylic acid, its other star ingredients are gluconolactone and glycerin; the former is a gentle exfoliator, while the latter helps with scarring. There’s aloe in the formula, too, which has antibacterial and redness-reducing properties. Caution: Choose either the padsorthe spray as using them consecutively can be too irritating.

Whatever you do, don’t pick your buttne. Dark spots, or post-inflammatoryhyperpigmentation, can result from poking and prodding, according to New York City–based dermatologistDr. Hadley King. If you have marks already, this King-approved toner-tonic will help brighten those areas withvitamin C, while lactic acid mildly exfoliates and hydrates. King particularly likes this for those who have melanin-rich skin.

Adapalene falls under the category of retinoids, which are best explained by our skin-care-expert-slash-contributor Rio Viera Newton as an “umbrella term for any cream derived from vitamin A”, including radiance-boostingretinol. Formerly prescription-only, adapalene is the strongest retinol you can get over the counter to treat mild to moderate acne; Kikam and King both approve of its use for buttne. There’s a long list of benefits, but King and Kikam highlight adapalene’s ability to decrease discoloration and reduce healing time. Heads up, though: An exfoliating acid (like those above) can “deactivate” a retinoid, so instead of applying one after another, space them out at different times of the day or on alternate days. The other caveat that we get more intohereis that, though retinoids and retinol are the gold standard for acne woes, those with darker skin should consult a derm before applying as it can lead to even more hyperpigmentation.

If your booty just has a blemish here and there, a more targeted application method is your best bet. This spot treatment from La Roche-Posay (a longtimeStrategist favorite) comes recommended by Garshick, Green, and Gonzalez. The breakout-reducing benzoyl peroxide attacks acne-causing bacteria, while the tiny percentage of lipo-hydroxy acid “micro-exfoliates,” Gonzalez says. When applying, make sure to rub it in completely so it doesn’t come off on clothing.

Good: anoncomedogenicmoisturizer. Better: one that exfoliates. “With butt acne, the pores are clogged so that’s why an exfoliating cream is important,” Jaliman explains. AmLactin creams feature lactic acid, which smooths skin (especially after something like a salicylic or glycolic toner). Jaliman is partial to the Rapid Relief lotion, which features a generous amount of lactic acid as well as hydrating ceramides.