Everything you need to know about BUTT ACNE

For starters, it’s not technically acne!

For God’s sake, universe — acne on the ass?! As if dealing with acne on your face isn’t bad enough, you may have noticed red, itchy bumps that look like acne on your butt.

Sure, butt-acne isn’t as obvious as a chin monster — but it can still make you feel super self-conscious, and you’d probably prefer to keep your bottom pimple-free, especially when it comes to swimwear and the summer season.

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Here’s what you need to know about how to deal with acne on your lower (better?) half…

If it makes you feel better, butt pimples aren’t pimples at all. Pimples occur when pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells or bacteria. But the bumps on your bum are actually folliculitis – meaning, an inflamed or infected hair follicle.

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“Folliculitis is often the result of bacteria or fungus infecting the hair follicle,” says Ronda Klein, MD, MPH, a dermatologist at Modern Dermatology of Connecticut. “They look like small, shallow bumps that can itch or irritate. It sounds gross, but it’s completely normal.

So tempting – we get it – but just assume that the “no squeezing” rule applies to just about anything skin-related.

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Damp, sweaty fabrics can be a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria, so you definitely want to change into dry clothes as soon as possible after your workout.

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“Tight clothing can trap sweat and body fluids against your skin for long periods of time, causing chronic bumps on your back and lower back,” says Kachiu Li, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Brown University.

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And make sure you sanitize all the equipment you use at the gym—especially anything that might touch your hair, like the seat of a spin bike. “Yoga mats, exercise balls, and shared sports equipment can harbor bacteria if not cleaned between each use,” Lee says.

Tight jeans, leggings, and underpants (thongs, too) can rub against your skin throughout the day and irritate your follicles—especially if your skin is already a bit rough from shaving or waxing.

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“Chronic chafing, as a result of tight clothing, can cause folliculitis,” says Klein. So go ahead and wear comfy sweatpants because, you know, it’s for your health. You may even want to go commando for a bit if your skin has been rubbed the wrong way.

Folliculitis will usually go away on its own, but it’s hard to keep your cool when you have itchy bumps all over your butt. Good news? Even if the pimples on your butt aren’t legitimate pimples, your favorite acne products can still help.

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Klein recommends using a skin cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide—it kills the bacteria that can cause pimples and breakouts on the butt. If that doesn’t help, talk to your dermatologist about getting a topical antibiotic.