How can I get rid of back acne at home?

Keep the back clean and dry, shower after sweating, use neem bath water and a weekly clay pack, and wear loose cotton clothing.

Why do I get acne on my back and shoulders?

Sweat, friction from tight clothes and bags, hair products and hormones commonly contribute to back acne.

Is multani mitti good for back acne?

Multani mitti is traditionally used to absorb excess oil. Rinse it off before it dries hard and follow with a light moisturiser if skin feels tight.

Skin10 min

Home remedies for back acne: neem bath water, a multani mitti pack and breathable cotton

Pimples on the back and shoulders flare up with sweat, tight clothes, heavy hair oil and humid weather. These home remedies for back acne keep the skin clean and cool with neem bath water, a weekly multani mitti pack, a quick shower after sweating and loose cotton clothes.

What causes back acne

The back has many oil glands. Sweat trapped under tight synthetic clothes or backpack straps, hair oil and conditioner running down the back, and infrequent sheet changes can clog pores. Hormones and some medicines also play a part.

Neem leaves in bath water and multani mitti (fuller's earth) packs are traditional Indian ways of keeping oily, pimple-prone skin clean and cool.

Ingredients

A handful of neem leaves
2 tablespoons multani mitti
Rose water to mix
A soft, clean cotton towel

How to prepare

Boil neem leaves in 1 litre of water for 10 minutes, cool and add to a bucket of bath water.
Mix multani mitti with rose water to a smooth paste.

How to use

Bathe with neem water 3–4 times a week.
Once a week, spread the multani mitti pack on the back (ask someone to help), leave 10 minutes and rinse before it dries completely.
Shower soon after exercise or heavy sweating.

Helpful habits

Wash hair oil and conditioner off before washing your back.
Wear loose cotton clothes and change bedsheets weekly.
Don't pick or squeeze pimples; it can leave dark marks.

Precautions

Patch test neem and multani mitti; stop if the skin becomes dry or irritated.
Avoid harsh scrubbing, which can make acne worse.
See a dermatologist for painful deep lumps, scarring or acne that spreads despite care.

Frequently asked questions

How can I get rid of back acne at home?: Keep the back clean and dry, shower after sweating, use neem bath water and a weekly clay pack, and wear loose cotton clothing.
Why do I get acne on my back and shoulders?: Sweat, friction from tight clothes and bags, hair products and hormones commonly contribute to back acne.
Is multani mitti good for back acne?: Multani mitti is traditionally used to absorb excess oil. Rinse it off before it dries hard and follow with a light moisturiser if skin feels tight.