I feel you buddy because I have had similar issues with acne on my back and shoulders. I have since eliminated my acne by probaly at least 90% and climbing... it is hardly noticeable anymore... I attribute this to a number of things:
1. Try completely cutting out milk- I found this was likely the major cause of my acne. Replace your milk consumption with a low/moderate fat cheese like low fat mozzarella.
2. Sun Tan. Direct sun exposure (tanning) completely reduces the inflammation and acne. I don't know if it helps the underlying problem or if its more just covering it up but it helps massively. It also more or less eliminates acne scarring.
3. Get better sleep. What are your sleep habits like? I've found stress makes my acne worse and makes my skin more oily. I would recommend shutting off all electronics past a certain point before bed... (say 10pm) then have a hot shower, snack, read a boring book in bed until you start nodding off.
4. Wear clean soft cotton shirts at all times to reduce acne on your back. Change your pillow case and sheets often if you don't already.
5. Stay Warm- High metabolism, hot showers, warm clothes, wool socks, lots of blankets in bed etc...
6. Strangely enough I find psychedelics reduce my acne for a few days probaly through decreasing serotonin levels. I particularly like sub visual doses of LSD or AL LAD if you have access to it. (Not necessary but something to note)
Also have you switched to a new shampoo or soap that could be causing skin irritation? Something to think of.
Thanks for the detailed advice, I really appreciate it.
1. I don't drink milk or consume any dairy anymore. My acne did reduce when I cut it out.
2. In my experience I would agree 100% with this. When I was in Thailand in the summer my acne was non existent. I drank a lot of vodka and still it was just completely gone. I've thought about going on the tanning beds to see if I can get the same results, what would you think?
3. My sleep is good. I get a good 9-10 hours nearly every night apart from the nights I might go to a party as I'm young but that's once a week maximum.
4. I don't get any acne on my back at all, the only place I get it is on my face. I would love to get it in my back rather than my face as people can't see my back. My girlfriend has great skin on her face but her back gets lots of pimples. I find it strange the way this happens.
5. I tend to avoid very hot showers due to the drying affect they have on my face. If I wash my face its once a day with Luke warm water and no soap. If I washed it with warm water it gets extremely dry and flaky and becomes irritated.
6. I find that when I drink a lot of alcohol my face clears up a touch. I don't drink beer just vodka with coke or red bull. I've taken some recreational drugs also a couple of months ago and afterwards I noticed a lot of blackheads vanished and my acne cleared for a good week and a half.
No new shampoo or soap as I actually rarely use any.
Thanks again and hope to get more advice from yourself and other extremely helpful people