It’s easy to think pimples only belong on your face. So when they show up on your back, chest, or even your butt, it can feel both surprising and embarrassing. But you’re definitely not alone — body acne is very common during the teen years.

Pimples form when the oil glands in your skin start producing more sebum — the natural oil that keeps skin soft. During puberty, hormones like testosterone (in both girls and boys) increase, which makes those glands more active. When sebum mixes with dead skin cells, it can clog pores, and bacteria that love that environment cause inflammation — that’s what creates pimples.

Your back and chest have a high number of oil glands, just like your face. That’s why those areas often break out, especially if you exercise, sweat a lot, or wear tight clothes. Friction from sports bras, backpacks, or synthetic fabrics can also make it worse.

You can help your skin by showering after workouts, using gentle fragrance-free cleansers, avoiding picking or squeezing pimples, and changing into clean clothes often. Picking can spread bacteria and leave scars.

If you have large, painful pimples or scarring, talk to a healthcare provider — there are effective treatments available, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It just means your body is reacting strongly to hormonal changes.

Alma’s tips:

Think of your skin as something that protects you, not something that needs to be perfect. It breathes, sweats, heals, and finds balance over time. Be kind to it — give it gentle care, air, and patience. Hormones take time to settle, but they will. And remember: you notice your pimples far more than anyone else does. Most people don’t see them at all — they just see you.