The 9 Best Acne Body Washes of 2025, According to Editors With Everything From Chest To Back Acne
It's time to say goodbye to back and butt pimples once and for all.
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Body breakouts are a whole different beast than the ones that pop up on your face. I mean, it’s tough to treat those hard-to-reach areas, especially when consistent bumps and zits appear on your back, shoulders, or even your butt. That’s why a regular face wash often won’t cut it, and a dedicated acne body wash will be your best bet for handling even the most stubborn breakouts.
The right formula will unclog pores while also boasting hydrating ingredients to soothe and nourish the skin barrier. And with consistent use, a non-comedogenic body wash can help prevent breakouts before they even appear. So, Cosmo's beauty editors tested a range of acne-fighting body washes and put them to the test on real acne-prone skin. We also got expert advice from dermatologists to find the best ingredients for fighting body acne out there and how to choose a body cleanser that actually works for your breakouts.
Our top picks for best acne body washes of 2025:
Below, you’ll find our top picks for clearing up body acne (including picks from Cosmo's very own Acne Awards), from stubborn backne to butt breakouts.
Pros
- Cosmo Acne Award winner
- Fragrance-free
- Has salicylic acid but isn't drying
Cons
- Bottle is hard to open at first
Why we love it: Dry skin and acne are tough to manage together—most acne-fighting ingredients can leave the skin feeling stripped—but this body wash boasts a team of hydrating ingredients. The brand's ceramide complex combined with green tea leaf extract and salicylic acid help strengthen the skin barrier while still clearing pores. No wonder it earned itself a Cosmo Acne Award.
One Cosmo editor says: "My dry, eczema-prone skin is a huge fan of this hydrating body wash. It’s gentle but not drying, cleansing my skin really well while keeping breakouts at bay. It’s so nourishing that sometimes I don’t even need to use body lotion."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, ceramides, green tea leaf extract |
| Size | 15.5 fl oz. |
Pros
- Lathers really nicely
- Cosmo Acne Award winner
- Ideal for sensitive skin types or those using heavy actives
Cons
- Doesn't have any actives, so you might want something stronger if you have active acne
Why we love it: This dermatologist-created formula gently cleanses the skin without ever feeling harsh, thanks to hydrating squalane and glycerin that leave the skin feeling soft and nourished. It’s especially ideal for acne-prone or sensitive skin, since it scrubs thoroughly without clogging pores or irritating the skin.
One Cosmo editor says: “I use a lot of actives, so I like to keep things simple when it comes to body wash. This option from Seen is so gentle that I can use it on my skin and my toddler’s skin without worrying about causing irritation. It is fragrance-free, is sulfate-free, and has just the right amount of lather to get my skin clean without drying it out.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Bisabolol, glycerin, hemisqualane |
| Size | 10 fl oz. |
Pros
- Large bottle size
- Soothing aloe nourishes the skin
Cons
- Sulfur scent is a bit strong, but it works!
Why we love it: Sulfur is a go-to ingredient for tackling acne (derms swear by it), and this formula gives you that deep-clean, detoxed feel without irritating sensitive skin. It's also got aloe to soothe and hydrate, plus willow bark to gently exfoliate. Together, these ingredients clear congestion, calm irritation, and leave skin feeling balanced and soft.
One Cosmo editor says: "My body skin gets super splotchy and bumpy (cute!), so I was blown away when this sulfur-based wash seriously calmed my skin. After one use, I felt smoother and looked a bit brighter. Months later, I'm noticing that my skin doesn't get so irritated either. Big plus."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Sulfur, willow bark extract, aloe |
| Size | 16.9 fl oz. |
Pros
- Smells really nice
- Has salicylic acid
Cons
- Shape of the bottle is a bit difficult to handle when wet
Why we love it: Frank Body’s Everyday Clearing Wash is ideal for keeping body breakouts under control. The non-comedogenic formula lathers softly, and salicylic acid works to combat body acne without that stripped feeling. It makes the skin calm, smooth, and ready for whatever lotion or cream you layer on after the shower (we recommend the coinciding Clearing Lotion that just won a Cosmo Acne award).
One Cosmo editor says: "I use a few pumps of this citrusy body wash during my everything showers when I want some acne-fighting ingredients while also smelling really fresh. The scent lasts far beyond the shower, which is pretty rare for an acne-centric body wash."—JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, aloe |
| Size | 12.17 fl oz. |
Pros
- High dose of benzoyl peroxide to fight acne
- Available at most drugstores
Cons
- If you have super dry skin, you might wanna supplement it with a hydrating wash
Why we love it: If you love an old school body bar but still need to fend off bumps and zits, PanOxyl makes the best one out there (according to Cosmo's Acne Awards!). With 10% benzoyl peroxide, the formula eliminates bacteria and reduces excess oil with just a few scrubs.
One Cosmo editor says: "While this isn't the most fancy body wash out there, it truly gets the job done when it comes to my body breakouts. I especially love it for my upper back because the bar format gets into more of those hard to reach places."—JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Benzoyl peroxide |
| Size | 4 oz. |
Pros
- Cucumber scent is really nice
- Lathers super well
- Large bottle and budget-friendly
Cons
- If you have severe body acne, you might want a stronger dose of actives
Why we love it: While we all prefer indulging in a nice, creamy body wash, most don't rinse clean and end up clogging up pores. Dove's Acne Clear is the exception. It feels super luxe and lathers *just* the right amount—plus it's spiked with 1 percent salicylic acid to deep-clean skin and get rid of excess oil and buildup without causing irritation.
One Cosmo editor says: "I'm a drugstore body wash stan, and this is the crème de la crème of creamy formulas. As someone who does Corepower three or four times a week (the sweatiest workout in NYC) I need a workhorse formula that will deter any and all breakouts—and this is my go-to. It also has a nice soothing scent, a rarity for acne body washes."—JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, glycerin |
| Size | 18.5 fl oz. |
Pros
- Bottle looks super chic in your shower
- Gentle enough to use on the face, too
Cons
- Only available at limited retailers
Why we love it: This cleanser is a super gentle wash that keeps pores clear without leaving the skin tight or irritated. The combo of glycerin and 0.5% salicylic acid gives you a soft, cushiony lather that hydrates while it cleanses. It’s basically the easiest, most low-maintenance way to keep breakouts and congestion in check.
One Cosmo editor says: "It's rare that I will use a cleanser for both my face and body. What I need on my face is not what I need on my body, yk? But this is the exception. This gentle, exfoliating formula helps break down oils and sloughs away dead skin, but still leaves my skin feeling hydrated—even the skin on my body which is much drier than my face."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, glycerin |
| Size | 13.5 fl oz. |
Pros
- We love the scent
- Has a great lather
- 2024 Cosmo Acne Award winner
Cons
- Pump is a tad hard to use with wet hands
Why we love it: Another Cosmo award-winning wash, this body cleanser from iota combats dullness and roughness. It's basically a daily multivitamin for your skin, packed with probiotics, niacinamide, and antioxidant-rich botanicals to strengthen and soothe the skin. It gives you that super-clean, soft feel without stripping your moisture barrier.
One Cosmo editor says: "I'm obsessed with how soft this makes my skin feel. The niacinamide-filled formula helps gently exfoliate and smooth the hell outta my usually bumpy skin without stripping it of any moisture."—BG
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, vitamin D, yuzu |
| Size | 10 fl oz. |
Pros
- Foams up nicely
- The lower dose of benzoyl peroxide is gentle enough for the face
Cons
- Packaging gets a bit messy
Why we love it: Many acne body washes are too harsh for your precious face, but this one from CeraVe (aka the gold standard of drugstore skincare) is the perf balance of gentle and effective for all-over use. The combo of niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, alongside 4 percent benzoyl peroxide makes the formula ideal for tending to acne while simultaneously hydrating and soothing the skin.
One Cosmo editor says: "I'm picky when it comes to what I put on my body, but I'm EXTRA selective when it comes to my face. But this is one of the only cleansers I trust to handle my acne without irritating my skin. When I'm going through a severe breakout, I always turn to this tried-and-true drugstore pick."—JH
| Key ingredients | Benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide, ceramides |
| Size | 5 fl oz. |
Which kind of body wash is best for acne?
The best body wash for acne isn't one-size-fits-all. Everyone's skin is different, and what works for your bestie might not work for you. "I put washes for body acne in two categories: supportive or therapeutic," says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. "If you are using prescription acne medications or leave-on products, then I recommend sticking to cleansers that help support the health and hydration of the outer skin layer," like SEEN's Body Wash. However! If you aren't already relying on topicals to treat body acne, then you'll wanna look for a therapeutic wash that contains active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Can hair products cause acne?
Yes, hair products can cause or exacerbate acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, when haircare products contain oil, it can find its way to your skin, leading to clogged pores and acne. If you've started using a new product (hi, shampoos, conditioners, styling products) and have noticed that your body acne has increased, consider taking the new product out of your routine to see if it clears. It may be worth it to investigate the products you're already using to see if they're highly comedogenic if you've noticed sudden increases in body breakouts.
What do dermatologists recommend for body acne?
In general, dermatologists recommend body washes containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to treat body acne. "Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that removes dead cells and excess oil from the surface of the skin," says Dr. Zeichner. "It is a great option for people dealing with blackheads, whiteheads, small bumps, and even acne scars." Benzoyl peroxide, on the other hand, works by lowering levels of acne-causing bacteria on the skin and reducing inflammation, explains Dr. Zeichner. "It is particularly useful in treating red, angry pimples."
How do I use a body wash for acne?
A great acne body wash doesn't just clean the surface of your skin—it also works to remove built-up oil and unclog pores. That's why you should think of an acne body wash more like a treatment rather than just a cleanser. "It is important to give the cleanser enough contact time with the skin to allow the formula to do its job," says Dr. Zeichner. "Applying it and immediately rinsing it off will help remove soiling from the skin, but won't give the actives enough time to penetrate through the follicles to get to where they need to go to be effective. So I tell my patients to apply a cleanser, let it sit while they sing 'Happy Birthday' to yourself, then rinse off."
Speaking of effectiveness: Board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD, says some manual exfoliation (such as with a Buf-Puf or other body sponge) can help make your body wash as effective as possible. "A big part of body acne is the fact that the body does not exfoliate itself as effectively as a face, which makes it more prone to having clogged pores if you're acne-prone," Dr. Henry explains. "So adding additional exfoliation is really critical to clearing up body acne."
How to choose the best body wash for acne:
Avoid oil-based ingredients.
Since most body acne forms when oil gets trapped in the pores, causing blockages and inflammation, it makes sense that you'd wanna avoid oil-based ingredients that'll only exacerbate the issue, and instead choose a non-comedogenic formula. Some common pore-cloggers to look our for include coconut oil, almond oil, and shea butter.
Consider your skin's sensitivity level.
Got sensitive or dry skin? Be cognizant when selecting a wash with a high dose of benzoyl peroxide (we love CeraVe's with just 4 percent). Make sure the formula is loaded with hydrators like squalane or ceramides to supplement the actives and support the overall skin barrier.
Meet the experts:
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY.
- Michelle Henry, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan in New York, NY.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan where she writes about all the best skincare products. As an acne-prone editor, she takes her skincare routine very seriously, making sure to research, test, and review the most effective formulas out there. She, along with team Cosmo, tested dozens of body washes specifically formulated for acne-prone skin.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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