12 Butt Acne Treatments to Keep Buttne at Bay
Bumps on your bum? No problem.
ICYMI: Booty beauty is a thing. But not everyone's bum is a perfectly round peach — most of us have cellulite, scarring, and even a little thing called butt acne. To help you get the 411 on all things butt acne, we hit up three board-certified dermatologists who shared everything you need to know about this very common skin problem. They also shared a few of their go-to butt acne product solutions, and we also researched other picks that are aligned with their expertise.
The Best Butt Acne Treatments
- Best Overall: Green Heart Labs Brilliant Booty Kit With Butt Acne Clearing Lotion
- Most Intensive Treatment: Humane Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Acne Treatment Body Wash
- Best Cleanser: Mario Badescu A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap
- Best Retinoid: Differin Adapalene Gel
- Best Spray: Bliss Clear Genius Body Acne Spray
- Best Moisturizer: AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
- Best Mud Mask: Anese Down With the Thickness Collagen Booty Mask
- Best Sheet Mask: BAWDY Bite It Plant-Based Collagen Butt Mask
- Best Body Scrub: Neutrogena Body Clear Oil-Free Acne Body Scrub
- Best Exfoliating Pads: Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads
Is It Normal to Get Acne on Your Bum?
Yes, it is totally normal to experience butt acne. But get this: Those “pimples'' on your booty aren’t actually breakouts, like you experience on your face — it’s a little something called folliculitis. WTF is folliculitis? It sounds funky, but it’s just the medical term for inflammation of your hair follicles. They have a pimple-like appearance, which is why people commonly refer to them as butt acne, or butt-ne.
“Folliculitis does not necessarily reflect poor hygiene — it can happen to anyone,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Farber, M.D., of Schweiger Dermatology Group. Celebrity dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee, aka Dr. Pimple Popper, of SLMD Skincare, adds: "It’s not your fault — you’re not unclean. Some people just get it. You're not alone!"
What Causes Butt Acne?
The inflammation you’re experiencing is either infectious — by bacteria, fungi, or viruses — or non-infectious, which is usually caused by trauma or occlusion of the follicle, explains Farber. For example, an infectious cause is when you experience an overgrowth of bacteria from sweating, notes board-certified dermatologist Dr.Sheila Farhang, M.D. By opposition, non-infectious causes include shaving and irritation from clothing.
- Keratosis pilaris (KP) is common on the upper arms, but it can happen on your butt, too. This condition is caused by skin cells clogging the hair follicles, and it can be genetic or common in those with eczema, according to Farhang. A cheap solution to banishing KP on your butt is to use body scrubs or exfoliating gloves.
- Tight clothing can also irritate your hair follicles and clog your pores — similar to acne on your face or back (backne), explains Lee. A simple fix is to wear loose clothing or opt for garments made from moisture-wicking fabrics, especially while exercising.
- Not showering after exercising can also cause butt acne. Be sure to quickly change out of your dirty clothes and shower in order to wash away grime and acne-causing bacteria. This guidance also applies to wearing wet swimsuits and swim trunks for too long, adds Farber.
How to Treat Butt Acne
If the going gets tough on your rump, Lee has some good news for you: In most cases, butt acne is treatable! Butt acne is treated similarly to how you would banish breakouts on your face or other parts of your body, including your chest and back. “In fact, you can probably be a little more aggressive and use higher-strength anti-acne products, since dryness, redness, and irritation from acne medications is usually more tolerable in that area,” she explains. “Also, the skin is ‘tougher’ in this area, which means it can tolerate higher-strength products.”
Best Ingredients
So, what exactly should you look for in products that treat butt acne? It’s all about the ingredients on the label. Fortunately for you, we got the derms to spill the tea on which ingredients to look out for and why.
For your gluteus maximus, all three dermatologists recommend using classic acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
- Benzoyl peroxide is ideal for getting rid of the bacteria that cause acne and folliculitis. Just be careful: Benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric — like your crisp white pillow case — if left on for a while.
- Salicylic acid, on the other hand, is a gentle chemical exfoliant that decongests pores and balances oil production. It helps improve the uneven tone and texture of your skin.
Farber also suggests glycolic acid, which is classified as an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It’s gentle, and easily penetrates your skin to leave your bum glowing.
Retinoids can also help fade dark spots on your booty, notes Farber. The most common type of retinoid is retinol — you know, that popular anti-aging ingredient typically found in face and eye creams. It exfoliates your skin, promotes cell turnover, treats acne, and clears congested pores.
Worst Ingredients
“More is not more! Using too many ingredients — especially ones that can dry out your skin — often will make things worse,” cautions Farber. The Pennsylvania-based doctor advises against essential oils too, since they’re typically highly concentrated and fragrant: This can further irritate your skin.
You’ll also want to avoid highly comedogenic ingredients like coconut oil and cocoa butter that will clog your pores, she notes. Farhang recommends avoiding “super irritating products” like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol as well.
How We Chose
Jennifer Hussein, our former beauty editor, is the first to admit that she gets the occasional booty blemish that needs some extra TLC. When the going gets rough on your bum, these products are the ones that seem to work best for her butt acne. But don't just take her word for it: These cheeky products for your tush also have rave reviews on Amazon, Dermstore, Sephora, and more.
We also researched a few standout products that are adored by the dermatologists we consulted. From an anti-acne body scrub and cheap retinoid treatment to sprays and masks for your backside, these butt acne treatments are totally worth incorporating into your beauty routine. Bye bye buttne!
