Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site.

Keep your skin clear all summer long.

Is there anything worse than body acne, especially in the summer? It doesn't matter how hard you've been working out at the gym, if you've got a few bad back breakouts brewing, you're keeping that t-shirt on at the pool until the very last second.

Body acne is more common during the hot summer months, especially if you happen to live in a hot and/or humid climate. The combination of sweat mixing with the natural bacteria and dirt that accumulates on your body throughout the day can lead to clogged pores. While body acne can happen anywhere, most people will find it no their chest, back, and butt — basically, wherever you might sweat through your clothes. A pimple is a pimple, whether it's on your face or anywhere else on your body, and cleansing is arguably one of the most important things you can do to keep acne at bay.

Like the best acne-fighting face wash, the best body wash for acne features pore-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, and benzoyl peroxide. When use regularly, these specially formulated body washes can treat existing breakouts and prevent new ones from forming. Body acne occurs when the pores get clogged by excess oil (sebum), dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells. To prevent body acne, you want to prevent your pores from clogging in the first place, which means you'll want to shower as soon as you can after you you work out or sweat excessively. You might also want to wear cotton clothing if you know it's going to be a hot one, which won’t trap in sweat.

Read more: How To Get Rid of Acne

To clear and prevent any new pimples from popping up all over your body, switch out your basic boring bar soap for an acne-fighting body wash. These products are basically skincare but for the rest of your body, which means the ingredients do matter. We've done the work for you and found the best body wash for acne to keep your skin clear all summer long.

The Clearing Clay is a multi-use treatment for sweat-related breakouts. It's potent yet gentle enough for every day use, or as a spot treatment. For all-over body breakouts, apply over the affected areas on dry skin, let it dry, and then take a shower. The hero ingredient is sulfur, which smells terrible on its own but is cleverly hidden in this formulation, along with zinc-PCA, which helps with both bacteria and fungus.

Read more: How to Remove Back Acne

This exfoliating body bar from Carbon Theory went viral on the internet when it launched in 2018, with users taking and sharing impressive before and afters of just how effective this charcoal-based bar is at banishing acne. Supporting ingredients include tea tree oil, which is well known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, along with moisturizing shea butter. Believe the hype with this one.

ZitSticka is a skincare brand that specializes in acne, so when they came out with a blemish-fighting body wash, we knew it would be good. It's unique in that it's chock full of probiotics to help keep your skin’s microbiome healthy while also balancing the amount of blemish-causing bacteria on your skin’s surface. SILKSHAKE contains omegas-3 and tea tree oil to help soothe inflammation and reduce blemishes.

The Perfector Salicylic Acid Body Wash from Naturium is formulated with encapsulated, time-released salicylic acid to decongest pores and cleanse while also moisturizing and nourishing the skin. This unique technology allows the salicylic acid spheres to adhere to the skin, where a hydrophobic matrix gradually breaks down and releases salicylic acid slowly over time. Gentle enough to use on the face or body, this body wash maintains a skin-friendly pH level that doesn't dry out or irritate skin.

Read more: Best Face Washes

This multipurpose body wash can treat skin conditions caused by bacteria or fungi, and is especially great for those who have sensitive skin. In a 20 second wash test, it successfully went up against E. coli, stopping this harmful contagion in its tracks. It zaps bacteria without stripping the skin, leaving it feeling soft and hydrated.

The Acne Body Wash from Murad uses a powerful combination of multiple physical and chemical exfoliants to help fight back acne and keep the skin clear and healthy. Salicylic acid goes deep into pores to unclog and clear them, while glycolic acid works to exfoliate the surface of the skin for a smooth and soft complexion. Date seed powder partners up with glycolic acid to physically exfoliate the top layer of the skin.

CeraVe is one of our favorite drugstore personal care brands, especially as it relates to acne. The SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin is an affordable and effective body wash for acne, as it contains a combination of ingredients to tackle breakouts and soothe the skin. The star is salicylic acid, which is as good as it gets in terms of topical ingredients that can help minimize breakouts. It also features three essential ceramides, which help restore the skin’s barrier for soft, moisturized skin.

This ultra-effective face and body wash from Peter Thomas Roth features maximum strength 2% salicylic acid to help tackle acne and prevent future breakouts. It dives deep in the pores to treat acne and blackheads at the source. This deep-cleaning formula also contains soothing ingredients like allantoin, which helps to calm irritated skin, and vitamin B5 to nourish and protect.

Curology is a skincare subscription service beloved by people who suffer from acne. The brand recently debuted a body wash complete with 2% salicylic acid and hydrating glycerin to clear and nourish skin. Designed by dermatologists, it's formulated to be tough on acne but gentle on all skin types.

Body acne doesn't stand a chance against this potent body wash with 8.8% glycolic acid. In addition to treating acne, it also removes excess oils, debris and dirt, leaving your skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. Gentle physical and chemical exfoliators buff away old, dead skin cells that have the potential to clog pores, revealing brighter, smoother skin.

For the past two years, we consulted with Men's Health's Grooming editors and writers on the top body washes for acne. Experts including Grooming Editor Garrett Munce and Senior Commerce Editor Christian Gollayan have tried countless body washes and evaluated their effectiveness, scent, and value. We also considered top-reviewed body washes for acne that have at least 100 five-star customer ratings on e-commerce websites that we trust.

Read more: Best Grooming Products for Men