First and foremost, we need to explain the causes of forehead acne. There are a couple of reasons why you might be breaking out on your forehead - sometimes, it’s a couple of factors combined together.
Here are the most common causes of forehead acne.
One of the most overlooked causes of acne is physical contact with acne triggers, such as the chemicals which can be found in various hair care products on the market. Ingredients that are meant to go on your hair can cause havoc on the skin for various reasons, one of which is their ability to clog pores. The ingredients you need to look out for include pomades, gels, waxes, cocoa butter and various types of oils.
You’ll know that hair care products are to blame for your acne if it appears along the hairline, the part of your neck that comes in contact with your hair and your back (assuming you have long hair).
How can you prevent acne caused by hair care products?
One of the easiest switches to make is to use products that have more natural ingredients. Hair gels are a common trigger, so switching to a natural hair care brand is a good idea if it’s a product you use regularly. Paraben-free shampoos are quite easy to find, so you can try them out for a couple of weeks. Always make sure you wash your face after you wash your hair so that any hair care product that makes its way to your face can be washed off.
Another way in which your hair can be the cause of acne is due to the natural oils which can be found in your hair. If you’re prone to getting oily hair, the oil can transfer onto your skin and clog your pores, resulting in breakouts.
The best way to ensure that the oil on your hair doesn’t transfer onto your skin is to keep your hair away from your face as much as you can. Make sure you tie your hair in a high bun before going to bed. When your hair is down throughout the day, avoid physical contact between your hair and your face, especially when you’re working out. Washing your hair every day isn’t a realistic goal for most people, nor is it recommended if you have oily hair. That’s one of the reasons why avoiding physical contact is a better option.
Similarly to the hair care products we use, clothing and accessories can also be a major reason as to why we’re breaking out on our forehead. Hats, hair bands, and hair scarfs can cause our skin to break out through physical contact. This is because the bacteria that are on the clothing and accessories we use can be easily transferred onto our face, especially if we suffer from sensitive skin.
Another way hats contribute to the appearance of acne is by causing us to overheat and sweat. Sweat can block our pores, which definitely leads to acne. If you wear makeup on a regular basis, it can be even easier for your skin to break out after wearing a hat for a couple of hours.
The good news is that acne caused by clothing and accessories is rather easy to get rid of. All you need to do is either avoid physical contact between your hair accessories and your face when you’re wearing them, or avoid them altogether.
If your acne clears up within a couple of weeks, then you’ll know that your choice of clothing and accessories is to blame for it.
While touching your skin isn’t directly related to a specific area on your face, it’s still the reason behind why so many people struggle to get rid of forehead acne.
Touching your face with your hands is a bad habit in general, but especially so if you have sensitive and acne-prone skin. All kinds of acne-causing bacteria and allergens lurk on our hands, which can easily be transferred on the gentle skin on our faces. These can be easily spread to other pores, not only the area we touch, resulting in various pimples at once.
Luckily for us, this type of acne can be easily avoided if we implement the right precautions when it comes to washing our hands. It goes without saying that you should avoid touching your face without washing your hands first as much as you can. When it comes to washing your hands, make sure you use the right technique. The minimum amount of time your hands should be rubbing against each other with soap is around 20 seconds. Use an anti-bacterial soap and make sure you cover all the areas on your hands.
Getting rid of this pesky habit isn’t an easy thing to do, but it will help you on your journey to get clear skin (and keep it).
As you know already, our bodies undergo various changes when we enter puberty. One of these changes is an increase in oil production.
The so-called t-zone, which encompasses your forehead, nose, and chin, is the area that is most prone to this increase of sebum production.
You know puberty is to blame for your forehead acne if you’re a teen going through puberty and you have noticed that your complexion has gotten oilier all of a sudden. And while you can’t stop this natural process, you can use products that are meant to decrease and control sebum production.
One of the most heated debates within the skincare community is whether or not there’s a correlation between acne and diet. And, even though more research needs to be done on this subject, it turns out that there indeed is a link between poor dietary choices and acne. As we all know, acne occurs when our hair follicles get trapped with a combination of dead skin cells, bacteria, and excess sebum.
High glycemic food, as well as dairy products, has been associated with acne. In order to avoid getting acne from the food you’re consuming, avoid processed and oily food as much as you can. Instead, opt to include as many fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet as you can and swap your dairy milk with a plant-based alternative. Include as many antioxidants in your diet as you can, since they’re crucial to getting healthy skin.
Acne caused by dietary choices can affect many areas on our face, but, as we mentioned, the T-zone is more prone to producing excess sebum, which is a direct result of some types of food.
Increased cortisol levels are also linked to an increase in sebum production. Cortisol is our stress hormone, and while a certain level of cortisol is healthy and normal, being over-stressed can lead to acne as well as some other health problems. We live in an age when it’s harder than ever to keep our stress levels at bay.
Constantly looking to tick off another thing on our to-do list, we’re busier than ever and it takes a toll on our skin. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways you can control your stress levels, such as meditation, working out and getting plenty of rest every night.
There are a couple of ways you can approach forehead acne treatments. The option that’ll be right for you depends on the reason why you’re actually breaking out in the first place, so determining that reason is the first step in treating the acne. Here are a couple of ways you can treat forehead acne.
Perhaps the easiest option of them all, OTC treatments are a quick and hassle-free way to get rid of forehead pimples. These are available in most drugstores and pharmacies, so you definitely won’t have any trouble finding them. On top of that, they’re also quite inexpensive, which is great if you’re on a budget.
OTC treatments oftentimes contain salicylic acid, which is proven to be extremely effective when it comes to treating various types of acne. All you need to do is place the spot treatment on your pimple and leave it to work overnight. Once you get up, wash your face as you would regularly. If you’re a fan of DIY products, consider this article filled with DIY spot recipes.
If your acne is caused by an increase in sebum production, then altering your skincare routine in order to minimize the amount of sebum your skin produces is crucial. Make sure you wash your face twice a day using a gentle, yet effective cleanser. Regardless of the oil, always make sure you moisturize after you’ve washed your face. Remove your makeup before you go to bed in order to ensure that your pores won’t get clogged during the night.
If the acne isn’t going away, or if it’s a case of cystic acne that’s not limited to your forehead, then you might need something stronger than a mere shift in the products you use. This can range from using slightly harsher products on your face such as Retin A to using oral acne medication that will help with your acne overall. Whatever the case might be, visiting a dermatologist is crucial.
Never make such decisions for treatment on your own and don’t attempt to diagnose your skin. Visiting a certified doctor will save you a lot of time and money in the long run, not to mention it’s the safest option.
The question all of us have asked at one point or another. Truthfully speaking, popping pimples is not a good idea, whatever the location might be. You risk spreading acne-causing bacteria, infecting the skin, permanently damaging your skin and leaving behind a scar. Instead, try using a spot treatment directly on your pimple.
Some of the reasons behind why you have forehead acne require a specific approach and treatment, while others can be eliminated by making subtle changes in your day-to-day routine.
If you are somebody who likes to indulge in greasy and sugary food, you can try swapping it with healthier alternatives. For instance, switching from milk chocolate to dark chocolate can do wonders for your face acne. Another option is to include various kinds of fruit in your deserts. If you like the taste of soda, maybe try switching to sparkling water infused with skin-nourishing berries. If you’re a fan of snacking on chips while watching a movie, maybe try some popcorn next time.
Remember that in addition to a healthy diet, you should also pay attention to the lifestyle you’re leading. Experts recommend getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night. Getting plenty of rest will also help curb cravings for unhealthy food, so it’s a win-win situation. Make sure you include some form of exercise each day. Sweating is especially good for cleansing your skin inside out, and exercising on a regular basis is also known to lower stress levels. Drinking plenty of water is crucial for properly hydrated skin.
Getting regular facials can help prevent forehead acne as well. Although this is a slightly pricier option, it will be worth it in the end, so if you don’t mind spending a little extra money on skin treatments - definitely consider getting facials on a regular basis. If you’re on a budget, you could also opt for buying conventional face masks and using them from the comfort of your own home.
Exfoliating your skin is important for preventing clogged pores. When it comes to exfoliation there’s only one rule to follow: always choose chemical exfoliants over physical ones.
Forehead acne can be caused by multiple reasons which have to do with your lifestyle choices, the clothes you wear and the food you eat. Luckily, most of them are easily treatable with the right treatment plan. If you see no improvement in regards to your acne in a matter of weeks, try visiting a dermatologist. They will help you find the right diagnosis and come up with a proper treatment plan.
This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances, and its goal is to offer a general view of the subject. In case you are suffering from a severe case of acne, you should consult with a dermatologist or a certified medical professional.