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How does niacinamide help with back acne (bacne)?

3 minutes to read

 

You may be familiar with acne on your face, but back acne is another common, but less discussed, skin problem. Just like regular acne, back acne (or bacne) is identified as spots or pimples covering your back and torso. So, what can help this problem? Niacinamide is an ingredient that can improve the appearance of bacne and help your skin to clear up. Read on to find out more about niacinamide, along with tips on how to get rid of back acne.

What is niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and it’s found naturally in many foods including eggs, fish, meat, milk and green vegetables. It can also be used topically and, these days, is found in a lot of skincare products. It’s particularly effective in treating acne prone skin, bacne dark spots and eczema and it may even improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Topical use of niacinamide is safe and shouldn’t cause skin problems for people with oily or combination skin, however, if you have sensitive skin you may notice mild redness, itching or burning. If this is the case, stop using the product immediately.   

What causes back acne (bacne)?

Back acne happens for the same reasons as facial acne, i.e., your skin’s pores get clogged with dirt, sweat, dead skin cells and sebum (oil from your skin). This can lead to spots, blackheads, whiteheads and, in severe cases, cysts and pustules. If you have particularly oily skin or you don’t wash your body properly, bacne can occur. Here are a few of the most common bacne causes:

  • Acne-prone skin runs in your family.
  • Dirty or sweaty clothes rubbing against your skin. 
  • Using dirty bed sheets or towels. 
  • If you have dirty or oily hair that is frequently touching your back. 
  • Hormones, for example, your skin changes when you go through puberty, pregnancy and menopause. 
  • Some medications cause changes in your skin that can lead to acne.
  • Clogged pores from using certain skincare products. 
  • Stress or anxiety.
  • Excessive sweating. 

How niacinamide works to treat back acne

Niacinamide is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that can reduce the redness and swelling caused by back acne. It can also help to even out your skin tone and works to lighten any discolouration left on your skin by acne. It’s thought to be effective on severe acne and bacne, and if used continuously, over time you may notice fewer spots and an improvement in skin texture. In addition, it can regulate how much oil your skin produces, meaning new spots are less likely to occur.  

Additional benefits of niacinamide

There are many ways your skin can benefit from using niacinamide topically, whether you have acne-prone skin or not. Niacinamide can:

  • Help to keep your skin firm and healthy.
  • Help your skin to grow a lipid barrier that can help to retain moisture. This is beneficial if you have a skin condition like eczema or have mature skin. 
  • Reduce inflammation and redness caused by skin conditions like acne and eczema. 
  • Minimise the appearance of your pores over time, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. 
  • Regulate how much oil the glands in your skin produce. 
  • Be helpful in lightening dark spots and pigmentation. 
  • Rebuild healthy skin cells and protect them from UV damage.

How to use niacinamide for back acne

If you’re wondering how to get rid of back acne, using niacinamide topically can be a good solution. Niacinamide is gentle enough to use every day, and because vitamin B3 is suitable even for sensitive skin, there’s no need to gradually introduce it into your routine like you would with retinol. Use it twice a day on your face for optimal results, or once a day to avoid combining it with other incompatible ingredients. When washing your body, Sanex Skin Therapy Shower Cream with Niacinamide is specially formulated for combination, oily and acne-prone skin. It helps to reduce sebum, leaving your skin purified and clean* – and it can be used when showering every day. 

Other tips for managing back acne

You may not be able to avoid back acne if the problem is genetic. However, if bacne is caused by poor personal hygiene or other lifestyle factors there are a few things you can try that may help to get rid of back pimples:

  • Change your clothes as soon as possible after you sweat or if you’ve been working out. 
  • Keep your skin as clean as possible by showering every day. 
  • Use non-comedogenic products that are less likely to block your pores. 
  • Wear loose-fitting clothes in natural, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. Man-made fibres like polyester cause your skin to sweat more. 
  • Try not to use heavy backpacks or anything that will cause friction to the acne-prone area. 
  • Manage your stress levels. 
  • Use SPF if the area is exposed to the sun. 

FAQs

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about using niacinamide with acne:

How long does niacinamide take to heal acne?

Like most acne treatments, niacinamide takes time to work and you should use it continuously for around 12 weeks before deciding if it’s effective for your skin. 

What shouldn’t you mix with niacinamide?

Niacinamide shouldn’t be mixed with chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs (alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids), for example, glycolic acid. If you combine these two ingredients you may alter the pH level of your skin and cause irritation. Vitamin C is another ingredient you shouldn’t mix with niacinamide as the two may have decreased effectiveness when used together. Either use these products at different times of the day or alternate days of use. 

Can you use niacinamide every day?

Niaciamide is safe enough to use once or twice a day. Use it twice a day for optimal benefits, or once a day to avoid combining it with incompatible ingredients in your skincare routine. 

*After 2 weeks daily use, consumer study, 112 subjects, France.

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