Acne on the back can be a troublesome issue for many people, especially for those who are physically active or have sensitive skin. Factors such as excessive sweating, oil buildup, and irritation from clothing or body care products can trigger the appearance of acne on the back. Therefore, it is important to understand the causes and find effective solutions. Choosing the right body soap can be an important first step in addressing acne on the back. Read the explanation below!

There are some differences in acne between the face and back, where excessive oil is rarely a trigger for body acne. This is because the sebaceous glands in the body are not as active as those on the face. However, acne still often appears in areas with higher sebaceous gland counts, such as the chest, back, and upper arms. Among these three areas, acne on the body tends to appear more frequently on the back. Papular acne, which commonly occurs on the back, often causes itching due to friction from clothing, which can irritate the surrounding skin.

There are several ingredients that can help address the four causes of back acne. Choose a soap that contains the following combination of active ingredients:Salicylic acid: Works to reduce inflammation and skin keratinization.Sulfur: Acts as an antibacterial agent.Allantoin: Functions as a healing and soothing agent.Activated charcoal: Acts as an oil absorber and anti-inflammatory.AHA: Works as an exfoliating agent that reduces the buildup of dead skin cells.Menthol: To relieve itching and provide a refreshing effect on the skin.

For those who have sensitive skin and are prone to acne, consider using products with active ingredients that are less likely to cause irritation, such as niacinamide and allantoin. Niacinamide is known for its anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce acne inflammation and soothe sensitive skin. Meanwhile, allantoin is an agent that helps alleviate acne and reduce irritation reactions on sensitive skin. Thus, the risk of irritation due to certain ingredients can be minimized.

It is important to understand that acne on the body can leave various types of scars, including black spots, scar hypertrophy, and keloids. To reduce black spots from acne scars, it is recommended to choose a soap that contains brightening or exfoliating agents. Some ingredients that can help in this process are niacinamide, AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), BHA (beta hydroxy acid), and PHA (polyhydroxy acid) such as lactobionic acid and gluconolactone, as well as licorice extract that can help improve skin pigmentation.

Dry skin can worsen acne conditions because there is a possibility of accumulation of dead skin cells that trigger pore blockage, which ultimately can cause new acne to appear. Therefore, it is important to choose soap carefully, especially in terms of moisturizing content contained in it. When looking for body soap for back acne, paying attention to moisturizing content and skin type will help in choosing a product that suits the skin's needs.