Dear Doctor

I keep getting constant acne on my forehead. I’ve tried everything and nothing is working. Please help.

Dear Patient

Forehead Acne Causes

The causes of acne on the forehead include:

Using comedogenic skin care products on your face. These skin care products clog the skin pores and contribute to the development of acne.

 

Hair care products are other common forehead acne causes since by coming in contact with the skin on your forehead they can clog the skin pores. This happens when they contain comedogenic ingredients like coconut oil and cocoa butter.

 

Hairstyles like fringes which keep the hair in contact with skin on your forehead.

 

Wearing tight caps and other types of headgear also contributes to the development of forehead acne. These caps and hats cause acne by mechanically crushing the skin pores. This increases inflammation in the area and the development of acne pustules and cysts (small and large pus-filled swellings).

 

Touching your forehead is one of the often overlooked forehead acne causes. This touching causes breakouts if the hands are dirty since it transfers bacteria, dirt and oils to the area.

Forehead Acne Treatment

The treatment of acne on the forehead includes:

Using noncomedogenic skin care products and makeup

Use makeup that will not clog the pores of your skin like Dermablend Oil-Free Foundation.

 

Removing makeup before you sleep

Use a noncomedogenic makeup remover like Dermablend Makeup Remover each evening before you sleep.

 

Keeping your hair off your face

Style your hair so that it does not come in contact with your forehead by avoiding fringes.

 

Shampooing your hair frequently

Shampoo your hair each week to remove the oils and dirt that can contribute to clogging the skin pores on your forehead. If you have oily hair use shampoos like Degrease Oily Hair Shampoo.

 

Keeping hair care products off your face

Ensure that hair care products like shampoos and conditioners do not come in contact with the skin on your face when you are washing it.

In addition, make sure hair care products like gels, waxes and sprays do not come in contact with your forehead when you are styling it. To do this you can use a Face Shield when spraying the products onto your hair.

 

Wearing hats and caps with soft linings

Wearing hats, caps and other headgear with linings made from cotton, fleece and other soft materials can prevent the mechanical crushing of the pilosebaceous unit (skin pore) that causes forehead acne in some people. A good example is this winter hat with a soft fur lining..

 

Washing your hats and pillows frequently

Wash your hats and other headgear frequently to prevent hair oils from clogging the pores on your face.

Ensure that you also wash your pillows weekly to prevent the reapplication of the hair oils onto your face as you sleep.

 

Not touching your forehead

Avoid touching the skin on your face to prevent forehead acne breakouts. If you touch your forehead subconsciously, for example when you are thinking, train yourself to stop doing it and keep your hands clean by always carrying and using a portable, travel sized hand sanitizer.

 

Use an acne cleanser and moisturizer

Wash your face in the morning and in the evening with a face wash that contains ingredients that treat acne like Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash  which contains salicylic acid.

After washing your face, rinse it thoroughly, pat it dry and apply an acne treatment moisturizer like to  Clean and clear oil free moisturizer  which also contains salicylic acid.

 

Adopting an Acne-Free Lifestyle

Adopt a lifestyle that can prevent acne by doing the following:

*Joining a smoking cessation program if you smoke cigarettes

*Cleaning your mobile phone with antiseptic wipes regularly

*Eating low glycemic index foods like whole grain bread, apples, spinach, and tomatoes. To learn more read How to Treat Acne at Home.

Using prescription medications

If the above measures are not very effective for your forehead acne treatment, you will need to get a consult your nearest Dermatologist for prescription medications like the following which are used to treat acne:

Topical antibiotics which are applied on the skin like Clindamycin.

Oral antibiotics which are takeen by mouth like Doxycycline.

Topical  retinoids which are applied on the skin like Tretinoin and Adapalene.

Oral retinoids which are taken by mouth like Isotretinoin.