For acne covering your face, back, and chest, a combination approach is most effective. For your chest and back, use an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide wash (5% to 10%) in the shower daily, letting it sit for two minutes before rinsing. For your face, apply a topical retinoid like adapalene (Differin) at night. Because truncal acne covers a large area, topical creams can be difficult to apply. If you don't see improvement in 6 to 8 weeks, please consult a dermatologist. For widespread or severe acne, prescription oral treatments like antibiotics or isotretinoin (Accutane) are often necessary.