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Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
There are no ifs, ands, or buts (pun intended) about it—breakouts occur all over your body, not just on your face. Pimples can pop up on your back, chest, yes, even butt, and be just as difficult to treat as facial acne. As with your complexion, there are a variety of culprits behind the blemishes, and lifestyle factors play a major role. Think things like sitting around in sweaty workout clothes for hours on end, pore-clogging detergents you wash your clothes in, even the shampoo you’re using can contribute to breakouts on your body.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick is Proactiv's Deep Cleansing Body Wash, a dermatologist-developed formula with exfoliating beads and salicylic acid to clear and prevent acne. For a more affordable pick, consider Neutrogena's Body Clear Body Wash, which also contains salicylic acid plus hydrating ingredients to calm inflamed skin.
To eliminate below-the-neck pimples (and stubborn blackheads) calls for a body care routine that minimizes excess dirt, oil, and the resultant skin inflammation. For this, you'll want to reach for body washes with chemical exfoliants, such as alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, says Dennis Gross, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and the founder of the eponymous skincare line. “Avoid products with heavy oils, as they can lead to further breakouts,” he adds, though is quick to note that you do still need some moisturizing ingredients—otherwise you risk overdrying your skin and ultimately exacerbating oil production. Two of his favorites to seek out? Ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
To find the best acne body washes worthy of a spot in your shower routine, we tried out a few of the highest-rated products. Our testers used them for weeks at a time, rating how well they cleansed in addition to targeting skin concerns like body breakouts, bumps, and roughness. Our team then combined these results with our own research to compile our list.
Add any of these the best acne body washes to your line-up, and they'll help heal and prevent body breakouts.
Best Overall
Proactiv Deep Cleansing Body Wash
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Physical and chemical exfoliation
Gentle
Top doesn't have applicator
Who else recommends it? Today and Bustle both picked the Proactiv Deep Cleansing Body Wash.
What do buyers say? 88% of 3,600+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
This derm-developed brand is well-known for its facial offerings, but don’t miss their body wash. It gets top points from users for working to prevent pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Credit a combo of gently exfoliating beads combined with 2% salicylic acid, which has the ability to break up excess oil.
Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Exfoliates | Size: 16 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Budget
Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
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Dermatologists love it
Affordable
Scent can be polarizing
A staple in our shower for years, one we reach for this cleanser time and time again. Like many of its counterparts on this list, it too boasts salicylic acid and is a favorite of New York City dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD for that very reason. “The beta-hydroxy acid helps remove excess oil and dead cells from the surface of the skin to keep the pores clear. It can dry out pimples you already have and prevent new ones from developing,”’ he says. This formula also incorporates hydrating glycerin and aloe to prevent over-drying and comes in a yummy-scented pink grapefruit variant, both options ringing in at a super affordable price.
Price at time of publish: $9
Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Skin Type: Acne-prone, sensitive | Benefits: Exfoliates | Size: 8.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Sensitive Skin
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
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Amazon
Gentle
Affordable
Can be used on face and body
Creamy consistency rather than foamy
The main drawback of many zit-zapping ingredients is that they can sometimes end up over-drying your skin. Happily, there’s no need to worry about that with this guy. Yes, it boasts salicylic acid to battle breakouts, though the addition of three ceramides (one of Gross’s top recommended moisturizing ingredients if you’re prone to body breakouts), along with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, ensure it’s still plenty moisturizing. The fact that it’s both fragrance- and paraben-free just makes it all the more gentle, an especially great pick for anyone with sensitive skin.
Price at time of publish: $13
Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Skin Type: Balanced, sensitive | Benefits: Exfoliates, softens, and smooths skin | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Exfoliating
Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash
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Chemical exfoliation
Fragrance-free
Doesn’t contain any salicylic acid
Everyone should be exfoliating the skin below their chin on the reg, but this is an even more imperative step when you’re prone to body breakouts. (It’s one of the easiest ways to both keep pores clear and ensure any leave-on treatment products penetrate better.) Sure, you could use a separate body scrub—or you could make your life easier and reach for this two-in-one exfoliating wash, a go-to for Byrdie’s Commerce Editorial Director Jessica Magherefteh. An 8.8% concentration of glycolic acid goes to town, dissolving dead skin cells and other pore-clogging grime.
Price at time of publish: $34
Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid | Skin Type: Dry | Benefits: Exfoliates and softens skin | Size: 6.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Extra Strength
Murad Acne Control Acne Body Wash
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Sephora
Physical and chemical exfoliation
Higher concentration of salicylic acid than others
Expensive
Yes, this formula is another option that is salicylic acid-based; what sets it apart is that it contains the ingredient in a 1% concentration—you don’t need to stress about irritation. (And even more so because it also boasts soothing green tea and licorice extracts.) Date seed powder and glycolic acid also up the exfoliation, yet this is still gentle enough to be used daily.
Price at time of publish: $46
Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Skin Type: Balanced, oily, combination | Benefits: Exfoliates, clears pores, treats acne, smooths skin | Size: 8.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best With Benzoyl Peroxide
Humane Acne Wash
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Rare option that uses benzoyl peroxide
Reduces inflammation and redness
Can be irritating
As you may have noticed, the majority of the products on this list use salicylic acid. But there’s another top acne-fighting ingredient that, for some reason, doesn’t make its way into body washes that often. We’re talking about benzoyl peroxide, which has the ability to specifically target the bacteria associated with acne and is an effective anti-inflammatory. Here, it’s in a powerful 10% concentration that can be a bit too intense for the face but is ideal for the thicker skin on your body.
Price at time of publish: $25
Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide | Skin Type: Oily, combination, acne-prone | Benefits: Clears pores, reduces oil production, reduces inflammation | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Scent
Mario Badescu A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap
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Amazon
Smells good
Gentle
Fragrance isn’t naturally-derived
One wash was all it took to get Byrdie Editorial Director Hallie Gould hooked on this formula, which she relies on to ward off breakouts on her chest. The refreshing citrus scent makes every morning more pleasant, according to her, though those ingredients do more than just smell good. Papaya and grapefruit enzymes act as gentle exfoliants, and there’s also soothing oat protein in the mix.
Price at time of publish: $8
Active Ingredients: Alpha hydroxy acids | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Exfoliates, softens, and smooths skin | Size: 16 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Gel
Kosas Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash
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Clean and natural formula
Lathers nicely
Gentle
Doesn’t contain any salicylic acid
The star(s) of the show in this newbie are four different alpha hydroxy acids: lactic, mandelic, glycolic, and citric. According to Gross, AHAs are one of the top ingredients he recommends looking for in an acne body wash: “They give you an even exfoliation while also clearing pores,” he says. Here, there are also gently exfoliating natural fruit enzymes in the mix. Still, everything from the luscious lather (the gel formula suds up surprisingly well) to the clean, spa-like scent (which is naturally derived) makes this feel more like a luxurious bath product than any kind of acne treatment.
Price at time of publish: $22
Active Ingredients: Alpha-hydroxy acids | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Clears pores, smooths, and soothes skin | Size: 9 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Bar
DermaHarmony 5% Sulfur & 2% Salicylic Acid Body Bar Soap
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Rare option that contains sulfur
Can be used on face or body
Sulfur has a very particular smell
We get it—some people just prefer the experience of washing with a solid soap rather than a sudsy liquid wash. If that sounds like you, try this bar. Not only does it contain salicylic acid, but it also combines that with 5% sulfur (a great, anti-inflammatory acne-fighting ingredient) to give even the most stubborn of blemishes a one-two knock-out punch.
Price at time of publish: $14
Active Ingredients: Sulfur, salicylic acid | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Reduces itchiness, flaking, and irritation | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Scrub
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub
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Physical and chemical exfoliation
No artificial fragrance
Can be intense
If you love the body wash you’re currently using, but still need to incorporate some extra blemish-busting into your routine, consider adding this scrub into the mix once or twice per week. While technically it’s meant to help treat keratosis pilaris (the red bumps that tend to pop up on the backs of your arms and thighs), it has many of the same ingredients that are good for addressing pimples, too. Namely, glycolic and lactic acid for gentle chemical exfoliation, plus pumice buffing beads to help mechanically slough off dead skin. Just FYI, this is best for those who don’t have sensitive skin; scrubs can be too harsh and irritating for those that do, cautions Gross.
Price at time of publish: $30
Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Exfoliates, clears pores | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
What Our Editors Say
"This stuff is intense. I've never tried anything else like it. After one use, my skin was smooth and my blemishes were smaller—but I have to be careful not to use it more than twice a week, otherwise, my skin gets irritated." —Kathryn Vandervalk, VP Content Strategy
Best Spray
Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray
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Amazon
Easy to reach tough spots
Effective leave-in
Adds a step to body care routine
While this is technically a leave-in product and not a wash, we think it deserves a spot in your body breakout-fighting arsenal. Let’s face it, those pesky pimples in the middle of your back or top of your butt can be hard to reach, which is where this spray comes up huge. It’s easy to mist on anywhere, even those touch-to-tackle spots, delivering a 2% concentration of salicylic acid to help zap zits. Spray, let it dry for a few seconds, and go; there’s no need to rinse. If acne body washes alone don’t seem to be cutting it (or you just have a body wash you’re super loyal to), consider picking up this guy.
Price at time of publish: $28
Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Reduces redness and inflammation | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Subscription
Curology Acne Body Wash
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Subscription model
Lathers nicely
Can be hard to dispense
Never run out of body wash again. This subscription-based brand recently moved into the bod category, launching this standout sudser we love. This formula helps keep pores clear, and the wash lathers beautifully and rinses completely cleanly.
Price at time of publish: $9 per month
Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Clears pores | Size: 6.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
What Our Editors Say
"My back and shoulders are prone to awful cystic breakouts. It's tough to spot-treat these areas, but a body wash makes things immensely easier. This refreshing cleanser is thick and rich and is supposed to sit on the skin for a minute before rinsing off to let it do its thing and sweep out congestion. I can see visible results from consistently using this wash." — Lindsey Metrus, Director of Commerce, People and Entertainment Weekly
Best Natural
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Soothing Body Wash
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Target
Soothing
Hydrating
Good for fading marks
Contains natural fragrance
This natural formula is made with Fair Trade shea butter and vitamin E to hydrate in a base of African black soap, which has clearing and exfoliating properties. Reviewers note that the extra-moisturizing formula is especially good at fading blemishes and dark marks on skin.
Price at time of publish: $12
Active Ingredients: African Black Soap, coconut, shea and palm oils, vitamin E | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Clears and calms skin | Size: 13 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is Proactiv's Deep Cleansing Body Wash, a dermatologist-developed formula with exfoliating beads and salicylic acid to clear and prevent acne. For a more affordable pick, consider Neutrogena's Body Clear Body Wash, which also contains salicylic acid plus hydrating ingredients to calm inflamed skin.
Meet the Expert
- Dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD is an associate professor of dermatology and the Director of Clinical and Cosmetic Research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He specializes in multiple areas of cosmetic and medical dermatology, including acne.
- Dennis Gross, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and the founder of the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare line, which focuses, among other things, on acne treatment and prevention.
What to Look For in an Acne Body Wash
Salicylic Acid
Zeichner recommends reaching for a formula with salicylic acid, which is a beta-hydroxy acid if you have congested skin. It's oil-soluble, meaning it’s great for helping to unclog pores and combat blackheads and whiteheads specifically.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Another ingredient Zeichner recommends looking for in an acne body wash is benzoyl peroxide, which is ideal to use if your blemishes are larger, red, and/or inflamed. "Benzoyl peroxide lowers levels of acne-causing bacteria to reduce inflammation," he says. "It can also help open up pimples themselves. I typically recommend cleansers that contain the maximum strength of 10% benzoyl peroxide to allow for the best chance of penetration into the skin."
Foaming or Exfoliating Formulas
For those dealing with body breakouts who are generally oily or are already using other acne treatments, Zeichner recommends opting for a foaming or exfoliating formula. “These remove certain oils and keep the pores clear,” he says. This will not only help to address current blemishes but can prevent future breakouts.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She considered dozens of products for this roundup, evaluating them on their active ingredient list, results, and value. She researched dermatologist-recommended picks and consulted our testing insights to help her compile this list.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any acne body washes from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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