Forehead Acne: The Complete Guide On How To Treat It According To Dermatologists

Acne issues? If you’re one of those people who suffer from recurring acne, you’re not alone. Some acne may even develop on certain areas only, whether it’s on cheeks, forehead or even jawline. Although it may seem insignificant, forehead acne is one of the skin concerns that most of us experience at some point in life. Especially when puberty hits! Many women who have really great skin can still get horrible forehead acne. These pimples along the hairline just keep coming back. It was bad enough when we were teens (when pretty much everyone got breakouts) but they can rear their ugly heads in our adulthood too. The easiest way to end this vicious cycle is by understanding the type of acne we’re dealing with well as the tips on how to treat it easily. Below, Beauty Insider has gathered all the essential information that you need to know about forehead acne.

What Causes Forehead Acne?

Did you know that the location of your pimples can actually reveal a lot about their causes? This is called acne face mapping.

• Acne on your forehead and T-zone is usually caused by excess oil production. You may have naturally oily skin or combination skin (where you get greasy on your T-zone, but your chin and cheeks are dry). High-carb and high-sugar diets and dairy can also mess up with hormones and increase your oil production.
• Acne on your cheeks and jawline tend to be triggered by hormonal changes, especially if you only get them during that time of the month. However, look into other factors that can play with your hormones: birth control, pregnancy and menopause, or side effects of some maintenance medication. You may also want to look into bacteria: clean your mobile phone and change your pillow cases more often, and stop habits like resting your face on your palms.
• Acne on just your forehead. This is actually the most common place to get pimples, since pores can be clogged by the natural oils in your hair.

Particularly for forehead acne, the usage of hair or beauty products also contribute to such skin concern. In fact, there’s even a word coined after this condition which is known as pomade acne. It occurs when the hair products that are wax or oil-based get into contact with the skin and clog the pores. Among the list of ingredients that have been linked to acne are as below:

• Oils
• Silicone
• Dimethicone
• Petrolatum
• Cyclopentasiloxane

Additionally, forehead acne also happens due to several factors such as excess sebum production, dead skin cells, clothing and even sweating. Hence it is important that you identify the underlying issue to combat it effectively.

What are the Types of Forehead Acne?

Did you notice that your forehead tends to be occupied by these tiny bumps by the time you hit puberty? According to Dr. Craig Kraffert, forehead acne is more prone for those who reach adolescence. However, as soon as puberty progress, it is one of the first areas that will subside. Although they look pretty much the same, there are actually three types of forehead acne, namely milia, comedones or pustules and papules.

Milia

Milia is not a form of acne, but it is usually mistaken for whiteheads considering its size and shape. Unlike acne, milia occur when the keratin is trap under the skin and develop a bumpy look.

Comedones

Comedones can be identified with blackheads and whiteheads on the forehead. Essentially, the type of acne that develops is merely influenced by sebum production. You will most likely find whiteheads on the forehead as they occur due to the clog pores.

Pustules and papules

Apart from whitehead, pustules and papules are also common on the forehead, in which they are types of inflammatory acne. Pustule can be distinguished with its bumpy pimple and white pus. Whereas papule is associated with reddish acne bumps.

Why Am I Getting Forehead Acne Even If I’m Not Acne-prone?

It’s probably hygiene and habits, says dermatologist Anne Matias. She says these are some of the most common habits that lead to forehead acne:

• You touch your forehead when you think, or rest it on the bus window on the way home.
• You push your hair away from your eyes? Well think about all the germs that are on your hand.
• You can’t remember the last time you washed your headbands, sweatbands, or the towel you use to wrap around your wet hair after a shower.
• You have bangs or a fringe.
• You use hairspray, mousse, dry shampoo, or other hair styling products along your hairline.
• You use a thick shampoo or conditioner that’s hard to rinse off or has a very rich lather.
• You don’t use double cleanse or use toner.
• You don’t use cleanser in the morning — even if your face is clean, your sweat and natural hair oils can clog pores along your hairline.

The 3 C’s of Forehead Acne

Dr. Matias says you can beat those pimples just by remembering the 3 C’s: “Clip it, clean it, and (spot) correct.”

Clip it

Wear barrettes or headbands to keep your hair away from your face, especially when your pimples are inflamed. If you’re shy about revealing your pimples for the world to see, cover it with pimple drying stickers or patches. “They treat the pimple while minimizing redness and swelling.”

Spot Correct

if your pimples only appear on your forehead (or other isolated areas of your face) stay away from harsh acne-fighting skincare. “You could be drying out the rest of your skin. For me, it’s better to use a gentle facial wash and then fight pimples with spot treatments or carefully applied serums and creams,” says Dr. Matias.

If you need to use makeup, pick a concealer that has pimple-fighting ingredients. Apply it with a clean concealer brush, not a dirty sponge or your hands.

Clean it

Dr. Matias says you should never touch your face with dirty hands or dirty towels. “I tell my patients who have severe or reoccurring acne to dry their face with tissue instead of towels. It’s more hygienic and gentler on the skin.”

Dr. Matias adds that a lot of women also tend to forget the forehead and hairline during their skincare routine. “Even I make the mistake of carefully removing eye, cheek and lip makeup, but leave traces of foundation on the edges of my face.”

She also says that most women rush through cleansing in general. “You have to gently work the cleanser into your skin. One tip is to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice in your head — that’s how long you should be massaging cleanser so it can really break down dirt or residue.”

Clean makeup tools are a must, but admittedly a hassle to clean. Dr. Matias personally recommends makeup brushes, which are more convenient to disinfect. “Just use a disinfectant spray or soap after applying makeup, or rotate brushes so you always have a clean one.”

Can Diet Cause Forehead Acne?

Strictly speaking, food can’t really cause acne if you weren’t acne-prone to begin with. However, it may worsen an existing breakout — and as a precaution, you can avoid certain food if your pimples aren’t going away.

Acne and Carbohydrates

A study found that a high-carbohydrate and high-sugar diet can increase your risk for acne by 30%. When our blood sugar rises, our body produces insulin — which, in turn, activates hormones that are linked to acne.

If you’re getting bad breakouts, limit:

• Anything made with white flour: bread, crackers, pasta and noodles, cakes
• Rice and rice noodles
• Sodas and juices
• Sweeteners like cane sugar, maple syrup, honey or agave

Acne and Dairy

Some people may also experience more breakouts when they take dairy or dairy products like cheese and butter. A study of the diets of teen boys found that those who drank a lot of milk tend to have the worst breakouts. Skim milk also produced worse breakouts than regular milk, so it’s not the fat. Skin experts believe it’s the hormones in milk — like DHT, testosterone and androgen — that can trigger breakouts.

Best Spot Treatments for Forehead Acne

Dr. Matias likes to take a targeted approach to acne. “If you only have acne on your forehead, then use spot treatments. If you only get acne at certain times of the month, then use two different kinds of facial washes — one for regular days, and an acne wash when you know you’re about to break out.”

CosRX Pimple Master Pad

This cult favorite can treat forehead pimples overnight! The thin patches absorb the pus and oil so that the angry red bumps look less noticeable in the morning. It’s won several beauty awards, and thousands of high reviews in Influenster and Makeup Alley. Even Allure and Vogue editors say they stock up on these pimple patches. “It’s amazing that something so cheap can work so well!”

Why we love it:

• Waterproof
• Contains different sizes
• Treat inflammation

Price: $4.00 (Original price $5.50, saved 27%)

Serene SkinLab Clear Spot Acne Treatment Gel

Serene SkinLab Clear Spot Acne Treatment Gel is formulated with essential ingredients including lactic acid, salicylic acid and camphor to banish acne effectively. This acne spot treatment helps to soothe the irritation and lighten the scars, leaving you with a clearer complexion. It delivers immediate results with its antibacterial ingredients which help to unclog and tighten the pores.

Why we love it:

• Suitable for all skin types
• Oil-free
• Helps to lightens the acne scars

Price: $22.00

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil

One of The Body Shop’s bestselling items, and for good reason. Tea tree oil is a natural anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory, so it can dry up inflamed pimples and prevent tiny bumps from getting worse. This formula also has Vitamin E and Tamanu Oil to heal and moisturize the skin, and minimize dark acne marks.

Why we love it:

• Vegan
• Immediate results
• Suitable for acne prone skin

Price: $20.00

Where to buy: The Body Shop online store

Neutrogena On-the Spot Acne Treatment

Clinical trials show that pimples start drying up after just 1 day of use! It contains benzoyl peroxide — one of the most effective ingredients for acne — that’s specially formulated to go deep into your pores. It’s less irritating than other spot treatments, so try this if your skin has become dry and sensitive.

Why we love it:

• Gentle formulation
• Penetrate deeply into the skin
• Prevent recurring acne

Price: $11.90

Where to buy: Watsons

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Just a few drops of this light serum can help control oiliness, prevent clogged pores, and stop breakouts. It has glowing reviews from beauty bloggers and editors, 150,000 “loves” on Sephora, and was included in Teen Vogue’s Acne Awards.

“I suffer from hormonal adult acne and this incredible little serum with Zinc and Niacinamide has assisted in clarifying my complexion without over drying my skin!” says Sandy in her Sephora review.

Why we love it:

• Hydrates the skin
• Treat acne
• Ultra lightweight

Price: $10.00

Where to buy: Hush.sg

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

If you have really bad forehead acne that gets very red, inflamed and painful, then you need this miracle in a bottle. It has over 1,3000 Sephora reviews on Sephora Singapore alone. “Just dab it on and overnight, your pimple is dried up or easier to pop!” says Nuralisa.

You’ll find even more before and after videos and testimonials online. Check out this Youtube review that shows how the drying lotion helped improve her skin day by day:

Sephora also sells the Mario Badescu Acne Repair Kit for $85, which includes the drying lotion, buffering lotion and drying cream. It also got a lot of five-star reviews, and comes out cheaper than buying the products individually.

Why we love it:

• Gentle and mild
• Immediate results
• Quick drying

Price: $36.00

Where to buy: Sephora

Origins Spot Remover Acne Treatment Gel

Heal forehead acne and prevent dark spots! It reduces inflammation with its natural caffeine and red algae extracts. Since you only apply this to affected areas, a tiny bottle will last a long time.

Why we love it:

• Clean ingredients
• Soothing properties
• Unclog the pores

Price: $34.00

Where to buy: Sephora

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Daily Leave-on Mask

This mask can be used at night, or even during the daytime when you’re just going to stay home. It dries clear — which is great when you don’t want to walk around with pink ointment all over your face.

Why we love it:

Price: $6.00 – $17.99

Where to buy: Shopee

Dry out pimples — not your skin

Acne treatments can be drying, so be sure to use with an oil-free hydrating serum or essence. “You have to be careful when you dry out pimples. Your skin needs moisture and other nutrients to repair itself. I recommend alternating an anti-acne mask with a hydrating mask or soothing mask, especially if your skin stings or looks red,” says Dr. Matias. Try: aloe vera gels, or sheet masks with chamomile, green tea, or marine essences.

She also says that sun protection is doubly important when you have a breakout. “Sun exposure can cause acne marks to become even darker and harder to fade. Also, acne treatments — especially those that claim to renew the skin or fight blemishes — often cause the skin to peel. Your newly exfoliated, bare skin is more prone to sunburn and sun damage.”