On the list of the most annoying places acne can appear, the shoulders are right up there next to the back and chest. On the bright side, acne in this hard-to-reach area is not impossible to deal with. Shoulder acne can be addressed similarly to how one would approach facial acne — with a targeted routine. Ahead, we gathered expert tips on how to stop breakouts and get rid of shoulder acne once and for all.

What Causes Shoulder Acne?

 

Not Showering Immediately After a Workout

After working out, be sure to hop in the shower and rinse off within ten minutes. “When you have acne on your body, it’s often caused by waiting too long to shower after working out,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lisa Ginn.

Friction From Sports Equipment

It’s so common for athletes to get acne from their sports equipment that there’s actually a name for it: acne mechanica. Anything that rubs — from backpacks to synthetic uniforms — and traps sweat and heat on your skin can cause irritation. To help prevent flare-ups, try placing clean padding between the equipment and your skin to limit rubbing. It’s also helpful to stick to loose-fitting clothes whenever possible.

Not Washing Your Clothes After Sweating

Sweat, dirt and other bacteria can stick to your clothes if you don’t wash them after a workout. Make a habit of tossing your dirty laundry directly into the wash and also bring a change of clothes with you to exercise, especially if you sweat profusely. Sitting in your sweaty clothing for too long can cause body acne to form. “Get out of gym clothes or anything sweaty as soon as possible,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand. “The faster the sweat evaporates, the less likely you are to develop bumps.”

Bacterial Infection

According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ted Lain, one major cause of shoulder acne is a bacterial infection. This can occur due to a variety of factors, including not cleansing properly, not exfoliating and dirt or impurities getting deep into your pores.

Hormones

Due to an increase in sebum production from hormone fluctuations, adolescents going through puberty are the most prone to a variety of forms of acne, which can include body acne.

How to Clear Shoulder Acne

 

Use Antibacterial Soaps and Body Washes

As far as body wash goes, the fresh smell of lavender is a popular shower pick, but if your skin is sensitive, using products formulated with fragrances may cause irritation. Skincare.com consultant and board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Laura Holsey recommends antibacterial soaps and body washes, instead. “To help clear shoulder acne, I always recommend using an antibacterial soap and an exfoliant such as the SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub,” she says. “If patients continue to have problems, I recommend adding the SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense to their problem areas.”