You’re either reading this and thinking, “butt acne? As if,” or ”OMG, I’m not the only one with random pimples on my bum.”
Well, we’ve got good news for both camps. We’re here to inform you on both how to prevent butt acne and how to treat it. And we’re going to do it right now before beach season rolls around and those little red blemishes on your butt cheeks have nowhere to hide.
Calling on cosmetic chemist and founder of Synergie Skin, Terri Vinson, we got to the bottom (excuse the pun) of why these pesky pimples keep rearing (sorry, we can’t help it) their heads on our bums of all places.
Why do some people get acne on their bum?
Terri: Acne on this area is very similar to other parts of the body. It can be related to hormonal fluctuations, particularly with testosterone in both men and women, stress, nutrition and environmental issues.
How do we know that the red bumps aren’t actually just ingrown hairs?
T: Ingrown hairs are usually isolated single lesions whereas acne on the buttocks is generally more widespread with a number of acne lesions that may appear as whiteheads, blackheads, papules, which are red irritated bumps, and pustules, which are infected red bumps with a pus-filled centre.
Cute! So what are the best ways to treat these butt breakouts?
T: Chemical exfoliation, particularly with salicylic acid and lactic acid is perfect. A spray formula is best to reach inaccessible areas. Use once daily immediately after showering. The acids will exfoliate the dead skin from the surface and clear out oils and debris trapped in pores and follicles. Salicylic and lactic acid will address both pimples and ingrown hairs. Try physical exfoliation with a light scrub in the shower twice weekly but consult a dermatologist for widespread painful infected acne on the buttocks as this may require short term use of antibiotics.
Another thing to try is to avoid synthetic underwear. Bamboo is ideal as it is breathable and antibacterial, and avoid wearing synthetic or tight underwear to bed. Work on reducing stress levels as elevated cortisol directly impacts oil production and improve your gut health – prebiotics and probiotics both internally and topically restore balance in the gut and skin which reduces body acne. Lastly, say no to sugar and refined carbs – these guys are enemy number one for our skin.
And how do we avoid scarring?
T: Dark brown pigmented scarring results from inflammation and can be treated with ingredients that reduce hyperpigmentation like niacinamide, retinol and anti-pigmentation peptides – Synergie Skin Enlighten ($139 at Synergie Skin) is ideal.
Apply to dark pigmented areas twice daily. Clinical treatments to address pigmented scars include chemical peels, IPL and certain laser treatments.
Pitted textural scars should be treated clinically. Medical skin needling or fractional laser resurfacing is recommended for reducing the appearance of pitted scars. These clinical treatments should be accompanied with products to support scar healing and collagen production.
Want to build your anti-butt acne kit? Here are some of our favourite products…
- Alpha-H Vitamin B ($71.95 at Adore Beauty)
2. Paula’s Choice Clear Acne Body Spray with 2% Salicylic Acid ($33.15 at Paula’s Choice)
3. tbh Skincare acne hack cream ($29.95 at tbhskincare.com)
Have you ever encountered butt acne?
Great article! Keen to see if I can get rid of all this scarring!
Great to exfoliate twice a week in this area
I had butt acne since I was young. I’m now 37 and after a year of it getting really bad, I decided to try everything I could. Most of the typical suggestions didn’t work for me. In the end the best solution was daily application of AmLactin. And for a month I also used a Retinoid cream. Now 2 years on I’ve stayed bump free and the old scars have faded 🙂 I didn’t think I’d ever had a smooth butt! I conintue to use AmLactin every day.
I blogged about everything I tried here: http://clearupbuttacne.wordpress.com/
I’m guilty to doing most of these. Especially wearing tight underwear. No wonder this happened.
Cannot stand body acne, one of my biggest insecurities along with the amazing cellultie and stretch marks. But I’d have to say the pimples on the body are just the worst
Youre lucky you don’t get it! It sucks bad. I hate when I get a couple on my butt, doesnt make you feel good about yourself either and takes a while to get rid of, if that :S
Cant remember the last time Ive had a butt pimple and so grateful never had acne any wear.
Thankfully I’ve never experienced this.
I’ve never had butt acne, thank goodness!
While the subject of this is serious and must be awful if you have an issue, I’m horrified with the lead photo which I find completely irresponsible. Sunbathing as these models are doing is not something sensible.
I remember having something like this as a teenager but it turned out to be a boil which was worse. I can’t say that I have ever had bum acne in my life and certainly not at my age now.
I think I have gotten one bump on my bum in my lifetime.
I hardly ever look at my naked butt (I may go blind or have a nervous breakdown). I avoid any G stringy things in swim suits or undies. Too much info for a big girl – I’ll leave the half naked butt twerking to Lizzo ( bless that girl’s confidence!) I’m a full brief type of girl so what I don’t know or care about..you get the drift. I do exfoliate with a body scrub or brush occasionally to keep pimples or ingrown hairs at bay.
Acne anywhere is horrible!
I’ve marked jamesr83 & Billie Swift, several posts below as spam.
Not something that ive ever had to worry about thank goodness
Thank goodness I don’t have to worry about butt acne glad that there are treatments available if I do find acne there.
I have never heard of this and luckily not been afflicted – Good to bring up the sensitive issues as I imagine it is hard to discuss
BH are good at explaining sensitive issues. These articles are helpful as it’s a topic that’s not particularly easy to raise if you need help.
They might be wearing 50+ broad spectrum SPF? (Non oily cos can’t be a model with butt acne!).Having worked on outdoor shoots with models, it is OH&S to make sure these shots are taken out of peak UV times 10-2pm and high SPF to be used. The models are also ‘rested’ to rehydrate and more sun protection applied. Their skin is their income – not even in the 80s – 90s when I worked as a make up artist has any model been allowed to be burned. If they refused SPF they were not used. They often brought their own preferred brands. Put your mind at ease- no models where harmed in the taking of this photo. Personally my doctor advised 10 min of sun exposure a day as I have very low vitamin D. It feels great to get out of the chilly house with a bit of sun on my skin!
Interesting, I wasn’t aware of this at all.
I do get them on my butt but very rarely. I don’t wear skimpy things (anymore) so how it looks isn’t a issue for me, the problem is that they are painful and hard to avoid hurting them lol.
Oh I definitely want to give these ago. I get a lot of ingrown hairs ! not so much pimples though.
Thanks for responding, Frenchy. It just didn’t look good to my eyes – appreciate your comments.
Thankfully not an issue here! I do like to exfoliate all over though regularly and maybe that helps prevent it?
I have never heard of butt acne, until now.
It’s not something I’ve ever had to worry about – probably because I never suffered from any sort of acne.
I’ve heard of back acne, but not butt acne. Always something new to learn.
I’ve had buttne since my teenage years, I think due to genetic keratosis pilaris. It definitely affects my body confidence! The moisturising cream called Lanate helps greatly with the texture of my skin, but I’ve found that no products or routines can make the buttne go away completely. Any scars I get are purple and take ages to fade on my fair skin. Unlucky 🙁
Not a problem for me, thankfully!
Could also be hygiene
I really dont know what this is
Good to know.
Not a problem for me.
You’re one of the lucky ones!! I’ve had the occasional but acne and always been a bit weirded out by it but it normally only happens in the hotter months
Not an issue for me.
Thankfully I haven’t suffered from this. It sounds painful.
OMG Trish_D I thought it was just me. I am glad you spotted that too.
A good scrub is good all over
Luckily I don’t have an issue in this department and I hope that it stays that way.
Great tip about the carbs and sugar, thanks
Oh wow. I didn’t realise bum acne was a thing!
I can’t say I’ve ever had butt acne, but these are great tips for the unlucky ones that do
I wasn’t even aware there is such a thing as bum acne!
Cityglenda, thank you! I don’t care whether it’s just staged for a photo shoot it isn’t a good look in my opinion.
Good to know…
Thankfully, not a problem for me
I use dry body brush to clean all over my body. It help to unclog pores and improve blood circulation.
Luckily I don’t. Good article for those who do
I used to get acne on my butt from wearing too tight underwear, sweating in my clothes, and not showering enough when I was depressed. I find that wearing g-strings/styles of underwear that don’t cut into your skin and give you VPL never causes any issues. Mine just went away on it’s own now that I shower regularly. A good hack is to get in the ahower and use a bit of your leftover face wash with salicylic acid on your butt just before you rinse off! Lol no need to buy extra products unless you have a serious case of acne.