We are all familiar with acne; who didn’t suffer from pimples, whiteheads or blackheads in their lives, but did you know that bacne – you guessed correctly, we mean acne that appears on your back – is equally as common?

Read more to learn what causes bacne, what you can do to get rid of it, and what skin-care is more recommended for it.

The science behind bacne

Cutibacterium acnes bacteria within the pores cause inflammation → The inflammation leads to visible redness → Sebum, peach fuzz and debris get stuck in the pore lining → The oil serves as a food source for C. acnes, allowing it to flourish → You'll soon see various sizes of red, often uncomfortable, breakouts dotting your back.

But is this all? Unfortunately it’s not. Many other factors play into our backs developing acne, like hereditary predisposition to acne, friction with clothes against sweaty skin, certain drugs – like corticosteroids –, excessively oily skin-care products, stress and anxiety – which make the body produce more of the hormone cortisol –, and sweat that get trapped under the skin if pores are already clogged. 

The problem is that bacne tends to be more stubborn than acne on the face but if you stay on top of it with a consistent routine, you can banish bacne.

 

 

How does bacne can present on the skin

Whiteheads: Also referred to as closed comedones, whiteheads develop when a plugged follicle stays closed and underneath your skin, forming a white bump.

Blackheads: When a plugged follicle located on the surface of your skin opens, it forms a blackhead, also referred to as an open comedone. The black-tip appearance of blackheads is due to oxidation of the sebum when it surfaces the skin, not because dirt has filled your follicle.

Papules: Acne lesions that appear as small pink bumps on your skin, and are sometimes tender, are called papules. This type of acne doesn’t contain pus and forms when a clogged hair follicle becomes inflamed.

Pimples: These lesions also result from inflammation in a clogged hair follicle. A buildup of white blood cells causes the pustule to fill with pus.

Nodules: This type of acne forms when bacteria also becomes trapped in a hair follicle. These lesions develop deep below the surface of your skin, where it hardens and forms a large, painful nodule. The deeper location of the lesion causes tissue damage, resulting in an inflammatory response.

Cysts: Cysts are larger, pus-filled acne lesions that also form when bacteria becomes trapped in a hair follicle. With cystic acne, the infection extends deeper into the skin, resulting in a painful lump that can cause a permanent scar.

 

Start with these four simple tips

1. Avoid popping pimples: you can damage or scar your skin by popping zits. Popping pimples in an unprofessional setting will push bacteria and dirt deeper into the skin tissue.
2. Keep your skin clean from sweat and dead skin cells and make sure to use an oil-free body wash that’s “non comedogenic,” which means it won’t clog your pores.
3. Benzoyl peroxide, retinoid and salicylic acid products can help you.
4. Apply these products and leave them on the skin for a few minutes before rinsing them off. 
5. Use clean linens: change your bed sheets every week or twice per week to avoid bacteria build up.

 

 

Naturalia Beauty products that can help you

If your case of bacne is not severe try Body Soft Scrub: with salicylic acid and high quality plant oils, Body Soft Scrub removes dead skin cells sweat to reveal a smoother and polished skin.

If you find yourself requiring something more gentle, take a look at Gentle Scrub, suitable for sensitive skin too, it deeply hydrates the skin thanks to cucumber and prickly pear extracts.

After shower, don’t forget to hydrate your skin to keep it elastic and healthy. Use Body Moisturizing Lotion: suitable for every skin type. Especially recommended in summertime, for dry and dehydrated skin and for sportspeople.