How I Cleared My Back Acne During Pregnancy (Safely)

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Pregnancy glow? Not always. Somewhere between hormonal changes and endless conditioner rinses, my back broke out in ways I’d never seen before. I learned quickly that back acne during pregnancy or “bacne” is incredibly common and often triggered by heat, sweat, and residue from hair products.

After some trial and error (and running every idea by my OB), I finally found a simple, pregnancy-safe routine that cleared my skin without harsh ingredients or complicated steps.

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Why Back Acne Happens During Pregnancy

Hormones can increase oil production and cause pores to clog more quickly. Combine that with thick conditioner running down your back in the shower, and it’s a recipe for irritation.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hair-care residue is one of the most common hidden causes of back acne.

How I Cleared It: Step by Step

1. The “Flip & Rinse” Trick

This one change made all the difference.
Instead of rinsing my conditioner normally, I flipped my head forward so no product touched my back. After rinsing, I clipped my hair up and washed my body last to remove any residue. Within two weeks, my breakouts began to calm down, and by the end of the month, the inflammation had nearly disappeared.

2. Switched to Gentle, Pregnancy-Safe Products

I replaced harsh body washes with mild, fragrance-free formulas like CeraVe Renewing SA Body Wash (low-dose salicylic acid) and avoided anything with strong exfoliants or retinoids.

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Safe Acne Treatments While Pregnant

When you’re pregnant, the acne-care shelf suddenly shrinks, but there are still safe, effective ingredients to use.

Here’s what dermatologists typically consider pregnancy-safe (always double-check with your doctor):

• Benzoyl Peroxide? 5%: reduces acne-causing bacteria.
• Salicylic Acid < 2%: gently unclogs pores.
• Azelaic Acid: soothes redness and helps fade dark marks.
• Glycolic Acid: mild exfoliant, safe in low concentrations.
• Topical antibiotics, such as clindamycin or erythromycin, are used for tougher cases.
  

Avoid: Retinoids (Differin/adapalene, Tazorac, Retin-A) are not recommended during pregnancy.

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A Quick Note on Differin

Before pregnancy, I used the Differin Acne-Clearing Body Spray with great results. It’s dermatologist-developed and powerful, but because it contains adapalene, a retinoid, it’s off-limits while expecting.

If you want to see how I reintroduced it postpartum and what other products I pair it with, check out My Skincare Routine for Acne.

For pregnancy-safe alternatives, I switched to the Paula’s Choice CLEAR Acne Body Spray (2% BHA), a lightweight, quick-drying mist that unclogs pores and calms redness without irritation.

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Postpartum & Maintenance

After giving birth, my back acne cleared within weeks, but I kept a gentle routine to prevent flare-ups. The biggest lesson? Consistency beats complexity. A simple, non-irritating regimen and small shower tweaks go a long way.

Once my skin calmed down, I shifted my focus to treating postpartum stretch marks and the darkened skin on my belly, something I’ve been managing since giving birth two years ago. (Stay tuned, I’ll be sharing that routine soon.)

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FAQs About Back Acne During Pregnancy

Final Thoughts

Back acne during pregnancy can be frustrating, but it’s absolutely treatable. After changing my hair-rinsing routine and focusing on pregnancy-safe skincare, my skin finally calmed down. Gentle consistency, not expensive products, was the real fix.

If you’re currently pregnant and want the perfect way to document your journey, check out my post on Kinnect Memory Book. It’s a beautiful option for creating your pregnancy and baby memory book.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the pregnancy apps out there? I also rounded up my top 3 pregnancy support apps, including how to access free birthing classes through insurance.

If you’re still struggling with oily or acne-prone skin, visit my guide on Dermstore-approved products for oily skin.