How to Remove Blackheads on Your Back

Co-authored by R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 References

Blackheads are never fun, but having blackheads on your back is frustrating. Focus on removing the blackheads you currently have by using products designed to clean your pores. These will remove the blackheads and dead skin cells. To prevent your pores from becoming clogged again, wash your back every day to remove oil, sweat, and skin cells.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Skin Care Treatments

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1
Wash your back with over-the-counter (OTC) cleansers. Purchase an acne cleanser that contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or benzoyl peroxide. Squirt some of the cleanser into a soft bath sponge and then rub it over your back. Try to wash your back for at least a minute so the cleanser can penetrate your skin. Then rinse it off.^{[1]
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R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.}^{[2]
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- Keep benzoyl peroxide off your clothes, or it can bleach the fabric.^{[3]
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  R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.}
- It's easiest to wash your back while you're in the shower.
- Wash your back with the cleanser twice a day unless it dries out your skin. If your skin is too dry, wash just once a day.
2
Scrub your back with a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week. Buy an OTC exfoliant and squirt some of it into a soft bath sponge. Massage the exfoliant into your back for at least a minute and then rinse it off. The gentle exfoliant will help to remove the blackheads on your back.^{[4]
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- To make it easier to scrub your entire back, try using a scrubber brush that has a long handle.
- Many products designed to exfoliate blackheads also contain salicylic acid.
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3
Spread OTC retinoid cream or gel after washing your back. Apply the cream once a day. Check retinoid cream or gel products to ensure they contain 0.1% adapalene. This will help unclog your pores so it's easier to get rid of blackheads while preventing them from forming.^{[5]
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- If you have hard to reach blackheads, ask someone to help you spread the cream or gel for you.
- Rub the cream onto your back after you get out of the shower or before you go to bed.
- You can ask your doctor for a prescription-strength topical cream that contains tretinoin if your acne isn't responding to an OTC product.
4
Ask your dermatologist about microdermabrasion. If you have a lot of blackheads that aren't responding to skin care products, talk with the dermatologist about microdermabrasion. The technician will drag a small machine over your back that sprays very tiny crystals over your skin. The machine also sucks up the crystals and dead cells from the surface of your skin.^{[6]
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- Your skin will be smoother and feel softer after the microdermabrasion.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Preventing Blackheads on Your Back

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1
Choose non-comedogenic skincare products. To prevent blackheads from returning, wash your skin and moisturize it with products that won't clog your pores. These non-comedogenic products won't contain dyes, chemical additives, or natural ingredients, such as coconut oil, that tend to clog pores.^{[7]
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- Products might also say they're non-acnegenic or non-pore clogging.
2
Wash and moisturize your hair before you wash your back. If you usually wash your back before shampooing and conditioning your hair, switch your routine. Tilt your head to the side as you rinse shampoo and moisturizer from your hair. This will help the residual hair product drain down your side instead of down your back. Then you can wash your back so it's completely clean.^{[8]
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- Your blackhead treatments will be more effective if your skin is clean and free from oily shampoo residue.
3
Buy a clay or charcoal mask product. Look for masks that will deep clean your pores so they don't get clogged with dead skin cells. Choose a mask that's made with clay, charcoal, or sulfur since these will help to loosen any blackheads that are on your back.^{[9]
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- You can also purchase all-natural ingredients to make the masks yourself.
4
Apply a mask product to your back once a week. Take a shower and wash your back thoroughly. Then turn off the water and rub the mask over your back. Let the mask sit on your skin for 10 minutes so the ingredients can work their way into your pores. Rinse the mask off and pat your skin dry.
- To lock in moisture, rub a moisturizer designed for your skin type onto your back after you dry off. For example, if you have sensitive skin, choose a gentle moisturizer that doesn't contain fragrance.
5
Keep your skin clean and dry throughout the day. If you workout or get sweaty, take a shower as soon as you can and change into a dry shirt. It's important to keep oil and sweat from sticking your back because these will clog your pores and develop blackheads.^{[10]
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American Academy of Dermatology
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- Wear cotton clothing that fits loosely when you workout so the sweat isn't trapped against your back.
- If you can't shower after your workout, wipe your back with a non-comedogenic cleansing wipe. Then change into a dry shirt.

Join the Discussion...

How do I get rid of bacne?

12

WikiOwlDiver608

I've been dealing with bad acne on my back for years now, and it's been making me feel self-conscious. I've tried showering and washing my back m... Read More

R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
Board Certified Dermatologist

If you are using just over the counter products, get a wash with either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which you can buy without a prescript... Read More

WikiCapybaraCaster245

Something that helped me is changing my shirts more frequently. In the summer I can sweat a lot and I think that sweat getting trapped on my skin... Read More

See all 4 Replies and

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Question

Why am I getting pimples on my back?

R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. R. Sonia Batra is a board certified Dermatologist and the Founder of Batra Dermatology based in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Batra specializes in lasers, medical devices, patient and public medical education, and skin cancer research. She received her Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree in Public Health, and her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees from Harvard University. As a Rhodes Scholar, she earned a Master’s degree in Molecular Genetics at the University of Oxford. She completed her residency training in Dermatology at Stanford University. Dr. Batra has contributed and reviewed for the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and JAMA Dermatology. She is also a co-host of CBS’ Emmy award-winning television show, The Doctors.

R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

When you get sweaty or dirty, the oily film can dry on your skin and clog your pores. Regularly use a cleanser and shower after any type of activity that leaves you sweaty.

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Question

How do you wash your back if you can't reach it?

R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. R. Sonia Batra is a board certified Dermatologist and the Founder of Batra Dermatology based in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Batra specializes in lasers, medical devices, patient and public medical education, and skin cancer research. She received her Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree in Public Health, and her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees from Harvard University. As a Rhodes Scholar, she earned a Master’s degree in Molecular Genetics at the University of Oxford. She completed her residency training in Dermatology at Stanford University. Dr. Batra has contributed and reviewed for the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and JAMA Dermatology. She is also a co-host of CBS’ Emmy award-winning television show, The Doctors.

R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Get an applicator for your back. It's basically a plastic wand that has a washable sponge on it, and you can buy them pretty inexpensively.

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