How to Get Rid of Butt Acne: A Complete, Dermatologist-Backed Guide

The 30-second answer: cleanse with a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid wash, exfoliate 2–3x a week with a butt-specific scrub, change out of sweaty clothes within 30 minutes, stop picking, and give it 3–6 weeks. Below is the long version, including what to do if that doesn't work.

Step 1: Confirm it's actually butt acne

What people call "butt acne" is almost always folliculitis — inflammation of the hair follicle from friction, sweat, and bacteria. The treatments overlap with true acne but aren't identical. If you're not sure what you have, start with our differential diagnosis guide. The protocol below works for both folliculitis and mild true acne on the butt.

Step 2: Build the daily cleanse protocol

This is the foundation. Get this right and you're 60% of the way there.

Choose your medicated wash

• Benzoyl peroxide 4–10% body wash (PanOxyl is the dermatologist favorite). Kills the bacteria that drive folliculitis. Will bleach fabric — use white towels and white sheets.
• OR salicylic acid 2% body wash (CeraVe SA, Neutrogena Body Clear). Gentler, also exfoliates inside the pore. Good for sensitive skin.
• Hibiclens (chlorhexidine 4%) for stubborn cases — it's the surgical-grade antimicrobial. Use 1–2x weekly only, not daily.

The 60-second rule

Lather, then let the wash sit on your skin for at least 60 seconds before rinsing. This is the single biggest mistake people make — they wash it off too fast, the active ingredient never has time to work.

Step 3: Exfoliate 2–3 times a week

Daily cleansing handles bacteria; exfoliation handles the dead skin and oil that plug follicles in the first place. Without this step, you're treating the symptom, not the cause.

Use Becky's Booty Scrub on damp skin, 30–60 seconds of gentle circular motion, 2–3x per week. The walnut shell physically dislodges the gunk; the rosehip oil helps fade the dark spots existing buttne leaves behind. Two birds, one scrub.

Don't:

• Exfoliate daily — it'll inflame the bumps further
• Exfoliate within 24 hours of shaving or waxing
• Combine with a chemical peel on the same day (one or the other)

Step 4: Hydrate (yes, even with acne)

This is the second-biggest mistake people make: drying out acne-prone skin in hopes the dryness will "kill" the breakouts. It doesn't — it triggers your skin to produce more oil to compensate, making the breakouts worse.

Within 60 seconds of getting out of the shower, apply a non-comedogenic body lotion. Look for: ceramides, niacinamide, lactic acid. Avoid: heavy mineral oils, coconut oil (yes, really — it's highly comedogenic for many people), thick balm-style products.

Step 5: Address the friction triggers

If you fix every other step but keep sitting in damp gym shorts for 2 hours after spin class, you'll never clear it. The lifestyle pieces:

• Change out of sweaty workout clothes within 30 minutes of finishing
• Switch to cotton underwear if you currently wear synthetic. Cotton breathes; synthetics trap heat and moisture
• Avoid all-day tight leggings when you're not exercising. Skin needs to breathe
• Don't sit in wet swimsuits — the chlorine + friction + moisture combo is buttne fuel
• Wash gym leggings and gear after every use, not every third use
• Sleep on cotton sheets, not satin or polyester

Step 6: Stop picking

Picking is the #1 cause of buttne-related dark spots that stick around for months after the bumps are gone. We know it's tempting. Don't. Cover suspicious bumps with a hydrocolloid patch overnight if you need a physical barrier between your fingers and the bump.

The realistic timeline

• Week 1: No visible change. Skin may feel slightly drier as the routine kicks in.
• Week 2–3: Fewer new bumps. Existing ones starting to flatten.
• Week 4–6: Most active bumps cleared. Texture improving.
• Week 8–12: Dark spots fading. Skin looking even.
• Week 16+: Sustainable clearance, assuming you stick with the routine.

If you're not seeing improvement by week 6, see a dermatologist.

If the routine isn't working

Most cases respond to the above. If yours doesn't, here's the escalation order:

1. Try Hibiclens 2x weekly in place of one of your medicated washes for 4 weeks. The bacteria may be drug-resistant or fungal-related.
2. See a dermatologist — they may prescribe topical clindamycin, oral doxycycline, or for fungal folliculitis, an antifungal like ketoconazole shampoo.
3. Check for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) if your bumps are deep, painful, recurring in the same exact spots, or accompanied by tunneling under the skin. HS is a separate condition that requires medical treatment.

What NOT to do

• Don't use harsh apricot scrubs. The jagged particles cause micro-tears that make buttne worse.
• Don't pop bumps. Spreads bacteria, causes scarring.
• Don't use rubbing alcohol on your butt. It dries skin, triggers more oil.
• Don't slather on coconut oil. It clogs pores in many people.
• Don't switch products every 2 weeks. Skin needs 4–8 weeks to respond to a routine. Give it time.

FAQ

Will benzoyl peroxide bleach my underwear?

Yes — and your towels and sheets. Switch to white linens during your wash routine, or rinse extra thoroughly before contact with fabric.

How long should benzoyl peroxide sit on my skin?

60 seconds minimum. Some derms recommend 2–3 minutes for stubborn folliculitis. Set a timer.

Can I use benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid together?

Yes — alternate days, not the same shower. They're not chemically incompatible but together they're aggressive and drying.

What about retinoids?

Topical retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene/Differin) work well on the butt for both folliculitis and true acne, but they cause initial purging and increase sun sensitivity. Best discussed with a dermatologist. Not for pregnancy.

Is butt acne contagious?

No. It's caused by your own bacteria, friction, and skin biology — not transmitted by others.

Why does it always come back after I shave or wax?

Hair removal disrupts the follicle, creating an opportunity for bacteria to settle in. Exfoliate 2–3 days before waxing/shaving (not after), use a clean razor every time, and apply a hydrating, antibacterial oil post-removal.

The bottom line

Butt acne (folliculitis) is one of the most treatable skin issues there is. The protocol is simple, the products aren't expensive, and the timeline is real. Becky's Booty Scrub is the exfoliation step in that protocol — walnut shell + rosehip, vegan, $20.

Read next: The complete butt skincare routine · Buttne vs folliculitis vs KP