7 Best Bacne Sprays to Tackle Stubborn Body Breakouts
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When a bout of body acne starts to sprout on your back and shoulders, restore your pores to a clearer state with the best bacne spray. These intensive formulas are spiked with acne-fighting active ingredients (salicylic acid, tea tree oil, witch hazel—you know, the classics) that Allure editors and board-certified dermatologists swear by for clearing up our faces and bodies. Sure, you could always slather on a body lotion or use an in-shower body scrub, but these sprays happen to have the added benefit of mess-free applicators that reach those tough spots you might miss like the middle of your shoulders.
Bonus: These mists can tackle blemishes and uneven texture beyond back acne, including ingrown hairs on your legs and pits, keratosis pilaris on your arms, and even bumps on your bum. But since they can vary, we asked derms to share what they consider to be the best bacne sprays out there.
Best Bacne Spray Overall: Paula’s Choice Clear Back & Body Acne Spray, $29
Best for Sensitive Skin: Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray, $28
Best for Inflamed Acne: Glytone Back & Chest Acne Treatment Spray, $44
Best for Redness: Murad Clarifying Body Spray, $48
Best for Acne Scars: Nécessaire The Body Acne Solution, $25
Best Cooling Effect: Dermalogica Clear Start Clarifying Bacne Spray, $25
Best Budget: Naturium Salicylic Acid Body Spray 2%, $20
How do bacne sprays benefit my skin?
When and how should I use a bacne spray?
How we test and review products
Paula's Choice
Why it's worth it: Multiple dermatologists love Paula’s Choice Clear Back & Body Acne Spray for its 2% salicylic acid formulation that sloughs away excess oil, sweat, and dead skin cells. “This spray gently exfoliates and unclogs pores while calming redness and irritation,” says Kristina Collins, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, Texas. Along with its star exfoliant, this micro-fine mist also treats your skin with barberry and licorice extracts, which are rich in brightening antioxidants to minimize skin discoloration. Dr. Collins also appreciates its 360-degree spray design for its ability to spray hard-to-reach areas.
Key ingredients: salicylic acid (2%), barberry extract, licorice extract, panthenol | Frequency of use: once per day | Fragrance-free: yes
Tower 28
Why it's worth it: Though the Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray is billed as a facial spray, Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist Zoë Indigo, MD, says this soothing spray works wonders as a toner mist for your body, all thanks to one of its star ingredients, antimicrobial hypochlorous acid—meaning it targets acne-causing bacteria. This ingredient can help “soothe and purify the skin, making it suitable for use on the back to address breakouts,” she says. “Its lightweight, non-irritating formula is ideal for sensitive skin and can be easily incorporated into your daily body-care routine.”
Key ingredients: hypochlorous acid | Frequency of use: as needed daily | Fragrance-free: yes
Glytone
Why it's worth it: Glytone’s Back & Chest Acne Treatment Spray has a calming effect on larger bouts of swollen, tender-to-the-touch blemishes, which is why Heidi Prather, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas, recommends it. “Its main active ingredient is salicylic acid, but it is packed with soothing ingredients like aloe to combat irritation while still effectively treating acne,” she says, calling it a “must-have” for inflamed, acne-prone skin. Its 360-degree nozzle can be used upside down for easier application on hard-to-reach spots.
Key ingredients: salicylic acid (2%), aloe vera, centella asiatica extract, gluconolactone (polyhydroxy acid) | Frequency of use: once per day | Fragrance-free: yes
Murad
Why it's worth it: Dial down the look of red, tender pustules with the Murad Clarifying Body Spray, one of Dr. Collins’s go-to sprays for its exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties. “Formulated with salicylic acid and glycolic acid, this spray targets existing blemishes and prevents new breakouts,” she says. “It’s ideal for acne-prone skin as it exfoliates, purifies, and minimizes inflammation." While the chemical exfoliators work their pore-cleansing abilities, a soothing combination of allantoin and blue lotus extract calm sensitivity and acne-related irritation.
Key ingredients: salicylic acid (0.5%), glycolic acid, allantoin, blue tous extract | Frequency of use: up to three times per day | Fragrance-free: no
Nécessaire
Why it's worth it: When an unexpected bout of back, chest, or shoulder acne pops up, break out Nécessaire’s Body Acne Solution. This spray-on exfoliating serum targets pore-clogging sweat, sebum, and oil buildup with BHA salicylic acid while zinc PCA balances oil production. Meanwhile, brightening niacinamide targets hyperpigmentation and post-acne dark spots and irritated patches of skin are neutralized with rosemary oil, extract, and water. “This multitasking mist tackles my chronic shoulder and back breakouts without irritating my sensitive skin,” says Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein. “Its formula has quite a few intensive ingredients, so I spray it on every other night after I shower to prevent irritation.”
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Key ingredients: salicylic acid (2%), niacinamide, panthenol, glycerin, zinc PCA, rosemary leaf water, rosemary leaf oil, rosemary leaf extract | Frequency of use: up to three times per week | Fragrance-free: yes
Dermalogica
Why it's worth it: When itchiness reaches unbearable, can’t-stop-scratching levels, Dermalogica’s Clear Start Clarifying Bacne Spray delivers instant relief with its cooling, soothing mist. While salicylic acid addresses breakouts, blackheads, and blemishes, a combination of witch hazel and tea tree oil provides a cooling sensation and antibacterial effect to minimize future breakouts. And, to keep dryness at bay, Dermalogica’s body spray also contains argan oil, a lightweight moisturizer that smooths skin and reduces redness.
Key ingredients: salicylic acid (1%), witch hazel, tea tree oil, argan oil | Frequency of use: up to twice per day | Fragrance-free: no (essential oil-based)
Naturium
Why it's worth it: Though Naturium’s Salicylic Acid Body Spray 2% contains a high concentration of the exfoliating acid, it’s gentler than other body sprays due to its encapsulated form of the BHA. This technology allows for the active ingredient to be released slowly over time, minimizing irritation in the process. Also featured in its encapsulated form is niacinamide, a brightening antioxidant known for its tone-enhancing effects. Thrown into the tone- and texture-evening mix is galactomyces ferment filtrate, a form of yeast with hydrating effects.
Key ingredients: salicylic acid (2%), niacinamide, galactomyces ferment filtrate | Frequency of use: one per day | Fragrance-free: yes
As you may have already guessed, these sprays are lightweight alternatives to exfoliating body lotions and serums that’ll minimize body acne of any kind. According to Dr. Collins, these light spritzers usually contain intensive exfoliants like salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid that’s small in molecular size, allowing it to penetrate deeper into your pores and remove buildup) to even out skin texture and tone. “Back acne sprays commonly contain ingredients like salicylic acid to exfoliate and reduce clogged pores,” she says.
Another ingredient multiple dermatologists praise for addressing body acne is hypochlorous acid, a gentle antimicrobial that targets bacteria and soothes inflammation without drying out the skin. “It’s perfect for body acne as it reduces redness and irritation while keeping breakouts under control,” says Dr. Indigo.
Mist bacne sprays directly onto clean skin post-shower after drying off—and before slathering on any moisturizer. “Spraying right after showering allows the skin to better absorb active ingredients and improves efficacy,” says Dr. Collins. “Avoid applying other lotions or oils beforehand, as these can create a barrier that limits absorption.”
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To avoid over-drying your skin or causing irritation, always check your product’s label for its usage instructions. However, if it doesn’t happen to have any usage notes, Dr. Collins says one application per day is likely to be effective. Got sensitivity? Proceed with caution: “Those with sensitive skin may want to start with every other day to assess tolerance,” she says. “With consistent use, active ingredients will help manage breakouts without over-drying the skin.”
Kristina Collins, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, Texas
Zoë Indigo, MD, a Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist
Heidi Prather, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best bacne sprays, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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