A Dermatologist's Guide to Beating Butt Acne For Good

A Dermatologist's Guide to Beating Butt Acne For Good
Often referred to as "butt-ne," butt acne is a common form of body acne.
These types of breakouts can be caused by bacteria buildup, sweat, friction, or a handful of other reasons.
Here, we're sharing the best dermatologist-approved acne treatments and tips for your buttocks.
Sitting, spanking, sweating, violently squeezing into too-tight spandex Lululemons — your butt goes through a lot, even if your skin isn't prone to breakouts. If acne is a concern for you (or even if it's not but you've somehow made contact with the subway seat while wearing a dress on a sticky summer day), you might have experienced the mysterious citadel of delight that is butt acne.

If you want to treat your badonkadonk before slipping into a bikini — which, hey, is a lot less restrictive than yoga pants — you have options. Here's what to know about butt acne (including how to kick its ass for good).

What Causes Butt Acne?
Butt-ne is not uncommon, and it has a wide range of potential causes. "Generally speaking, acne on the buttocks may be caused by other bacteria either in addition to, or in place of, p. acnes, as well as a type of yeast, or even a small mite in the skin," dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, says. "Increased butt-ne in summer can be a result of excessive sweating and friction in the area. When the bumps are caused by something other than p. acnes, the condition is called folliculitis, or an inflammation of the hair follicle."

In case you were wondering, this is in addition to the regular culprits of acne, such as hormones, oil production, and dead skin cells caught in the pores. "Compressive undergarments, lack of showering, and other poor hygiene habits could also be the cause," she says.

How to Treat Butt Acne
For a fast-acting approach to beating butt acne, Dr. Nazarian recommends a "combination approach, using products that exfoliate and others that help kill the bacteria." Not sure where to start? Keep scrolling to check out the best treatments and tips — because don't you wanna coddle the one body part that's always 100 percent behind you?