Clinical strength
body acne wash
Ideal for targeting:
Our topical foaming acne body wash is formulated with medical-grade ingredients to tackle your breakouts.
Exfoliates away dead skin cells
Prevents new pimples from forming
Reduces oil production and calms inflammation
.webp)
.gif)
Create my formula
$108 for 2 months of treatment
Target pesky body acne, from top to bottom
Body acne is incredibly common (and annoying) but it is treatable.
Over 50%
of acne patients have truncal acne, the name for acne involving the chest, back or shoulders. [1]
The most common places for body acne is the upper back, upper chest, lower back, shoulder and neck. [2]
66.9%
of body acne patients found success with a retinoid. [2]
The basics of body acne
How and why body acne occurs.
The basics of body acne
How and why body acne occurs.
Shoulder acne
Shoulder acne lesions are often caused by clogged hair follicles, which become blocked with excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria — much like facial acne.
Acne mechanica, on the other hand, usually appears on the body as a result of heat, friction and pressure related to tight clothing or sweat.
Acne mechanica, on the other hand, usually appears on the body as a result of heat, friction and pressure related to tight clothing or sweat.
Neck acne
Just like the face, the neck also contains pores and oil glands in a high concentration. And, this can lead to clogged pores and in turn, neck acne.
The neck is perfect environment for acne as it’s prone to irritation from clothing, long hair and touching.
The skin here is thinner than the face, so it’s important to take a gentle approach when deciding what products to use — heavy creams used on your face may not agree with your neck.
The neck is perfect environment for acne as it’s prone to irritation from clothing, long hair and touching.
The skin here is thinner than the face, so it’s important to take a gentle approach when deciding what products to use — heavy creams used on your face may not agree with your neck.
Back acne
Back acne, or bacne, is commonplace and is nothing to be ashamed of. But, it can understandably wreak havoc on your confidence, especially in the warmer months.
Bacne often occurs as the result of sebum (oil), dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria clogging your pores. Sweat, friction from items like clothing or backpacks and genetics can also play a part in the formation of back acne.
Bacne often occurs as the result of sebum (oil), dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria clogging your pores. Sweat, friction from items like clothing or backpacks and genetics can also play a part in the formation of back acne.
Chest acne
Acne tends to appear where the oil glands are more active, which happens to include the chest. And, when your pores get blocked with oil, bacteria or skin cells, acne often follows.
Pimples on your chest can also occur as a result of tight clothing, using comedogenic skincare products and sweat.
Pimples on your chest can also occur as a result of tight clothing, using comedogenic skincare products and sweat.
Arm acne
Pimples on your arms are generally caused by the same culprit that causes pimples on your face, which involves your pores (the tiny openings around your hair follicles) getting blocked with dead skin cells, oils and bacteria.
Some people are simply more prone to arm acne because their body produces too much oil. Factors like wearing tight clothing, or sweat can also contribute.
Some people are simply more prone to arm acne because their body produces too much oil. Factors like wearing tight clothing, or sweat can also contribute.
Butt acne
Pimples can pop up on your bum from time to time — it’s just one of those things. But, there aren’t many oil glands located across your bum, which means acne shouldn’t be a common occurrence here.
Instead, pimples on your butt are most probably boils, or a condition such as folliculitis or keratosis pilaris. It’s worth chatting with your healthcare provider about this, to ensure you’re treating these breakouts correctly.
Instead, pimples on your butt are most probably boils, or a condition such as folliculitis or keratosis pilaris. It’s worth chatting with your healthcare provider about this, to ensure you’re treating these breakouts correctly.
Thigh and leg acne
Pimples on your legs and thighs are often triggered by rubbing, pinching or putting pressure on the skin, or blocking your skin from air exposure.
Other factors like wearing non-breathable clothing while exercising, combined with heat and friction, can cause sweat and oil to clog your pores and lead to acne.
In the case of acne inversa, what appears to be pimples on the inner thighs and near the groin, may actually be abscesses. They often pop up here due to the location of sweat glands.
Other factors like wearing non-breathable clothing while exercising, combined with heat and friction, can cause sweat and oil to clog your pores and lead to acne.
In the case of acne inversa, what appears to be pimples on the inner thighs and near the groin, may actually be abscesses. They often pop up here due to the location of sweat glands.
Blemish-busting ingredients
Treat body acne, and prevent it from returning, with a clinical-grade formula from Software.
Retinoid
Stimulates the growth of new skin cells and increases the rate old skin cells are shed, while also reducing the production of oil on your skin — this combination helps to treat acne and prevent further breakouts.
This ingredient is non-comedogenic, anti-inflammatory, and is generally tolerated on the skin over time, so can be used across the body. [2]
This ingredient is non-comedogenic, anti-inflammatory, and is generally tolerated on the skin over time, so can be used across the body. [2]
Niacinamide
Reduces sebum production and helps to balance oiliness, even skin tone and reduce skin irritation and dryness.
Topical niacinamide also has a positive impact on reducing acne severity and inflammation. [3]
Topical niacinamide also has a positive impact on reducing acne severity and inflammation. [3]
How Software works
STEP 1
Share your skin concerns
Take the skin quiz to share your skin history, concerns and goals with our practitioners
STEP 2
Create your personalised formula
Your treatment will be made-to-order at our compounding pharmacy
STEP 3
Achieve your skin goals
We’ll send your treatment every two months, adjusting your formula as your skin goals change
Create my formula
$108 for 2 months of treatment
Questions?
We’ve got answers brought to you by Software’s skincare experts.
Dr. Matt Vickers
General Practitioner
What causes body acne?
Body acne is caused by a number of factors. Most commonly, acne vulgaris, occurs when sebum (oil), bacteria, dead skin cells and dirt clog pores, resulting in breakouts that can occur on your face and across your body.
Acne mechanica, on the other hand, is caused by friction from the rubbing of skin and is often excerbated by heat and pressure. [4] Wearing tight clothing or items like backpacks, when combined with heat and sweat, can rub against the body and result in body acne.
Acne cosmetica can also lead to body breakouts. This happens when products that contain oils and silicones, such as hair and makeup products, clog your pores, leading to acne on your body. [5] Hair products, for example, can clog your pores and cause acne on your hairline and back of your neck. It may also extend to your back, shoulders, and chest if your hair is long.
Hormonal changes and some medications can cause back breakouts, but more often than not, it's caused by lifestyle factors.
Acne mechanica, on the other hand, is caused by friction from the rubbing of skin and is often excerbated by heat and pressure. [4] Wearing tight clothing or items like backpacks, when combined with heat and sweat, can rub against the body and result in body acne.
Acne cosmetica can also lead to body breakouts. This happens when products that contain oils and silicones, such as hair and makeup products, clog your pores, leading to acne on your body. [5] Hair products, for example, can clog your pores and cause acne on your hairline and back of your neck. It may also extend to your back, shoulders, and chest if your hair is long.
Hormonal changes and some medications can cause back breakouts, but more often than not, it's caused by lifestyle factors.
How to get rid of body acne?
There are a few things you can do to keep body acne at bay. The first is to use a topical foaming acne body wash to help exfoliate away dead skin cells, prevent new breakouts from forming and calm inflammed skin.
Secondly, ensure you’re showering every day to help keep your skin clear of excess sweat and oil — this is particularly important after you’ve exercised.
Tight clothing can also irritate the skin and trap bacteria and oil. If you're experiencing acne on certain parts of the body which are usually covered by tight clothing, it might help to try some loose-fitting attire.
And lastly, ensure you’re selective with the skincare products you use as it could be your skincare routine that is working against you and causing acne. Check your moisturisers, makeup and anything else you use on your face, like sunscreen or a primer, and make sure it's non-comedogenic.
Secondly, ensure you’re showering every day to help keep your skin clear of excess sweat and oil — this is particularly important after you’ve exercised.
Tight clothing can also irritate the skin and trap bacteria and oil. If you're experiencing acne on certain parts of the body which are usually covered by tight clothing, it might help to try some loose-fitting attire.
And lastly, ensure you’re selective with the skincare products you use as it could be your skincare routine that is working against you and causing acne. Check your moisturisers, makeup and anything else you use on your face, like sunscreen or a primer, and make sure it's non-comedogenic.
Why should you use clinical-grade treatment for body acne?
Acne is a complex skin condition and often requires medical-grade ingredients to treat it properly — sometimes over-the-counter products simply aren’t strong enough to nip acne in the bud completely.
This is where we come in — Software’s Body Acne Wash is designed by our skin specialists to help you say goodbye to body acne.
This is where we come in — Software’s Body Acne Wash is designed by our skin specialists to help you say goodbye to body acne.
How to use Software’s Body Acne Wash?
Apply a thin layer all over your body, or on the particular areas of concern, once a day. For external use only. Skin patch test prior to use. If sensitivity occurs discontinue use. Avoid contact with eyes. Keep out of reach of children.
How much does Software cost?
It's $54 a month and we bill and ship every two months, meaning you’ll be billed $108 every second month (and you won’t run out).
With all plans, you can cancel, pause, or delay at any time, and there are no cancellation fees.
If there’s anything we haven’t covered here, please email us at hello@skin.software and we’ll be happy to help you out.
With all plans, you can cancel, pause, or delay at any time, and there are no cancellation fees.
If there’s anything we haven’t covered here, please email us at hello@skin.software and we’ll be happy to help you out.
Does Software offer treatment for facial acne as well?
Yes! Software’s custom acne treatment offers customised clinical-grade formulations that have been developed by practitioners for facial skin. Our medical support team provide you with professional advice based on your skin quiz and photos, creating a formula catering to your individual skin concerns.
From here, you can access ongoing follow-up support from your practitioner as you use your treatment.
From here, you can access ongoing follow-up support from your practitioner as you use your treatment.
Need more support?
Email usReferences
- Del Rosso JQ, Stein-Gold L, Lynde C, Tanghetti E, Alexis AF. Truncal Acne: A Neglected Entity. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Dec 1;18(12):205-1208. PMID: 31859617.
- Woo YR, Kim HS. Truncal Acne: An Overview. J Clin Med. 2022 Jun 24;11(13):3660. doi: 10.3390/jcm11133660. PMID: 35806952; PMCID: PMC9267677.
- https://cms.galenos.com.tr/Uploads/Article_32279/jtad-2-0-En.pdf
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/294286053_Acne_Mechanica
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33206430/
.svg)