Forehead Acne: Causes and Treatments

Want to learn about how to get rid of forehead acne, what causes forehead acne, what forehead acne means, and how to treat forehead acne continue reading...

Acne is a common skin concern that almost everyone experiences. The forehead is a common place for blemishes of all sorts to form especially forehead pimples. It can be extremely frustrating to get rid of acne, so to better understand how to treat it on your forehead you should first determine the cause. From there, you can determine which products and solutions help you address those forehead-specific triggers contributing to your acne. Given that acne can appear anywhere, it's crucial to know how to manage it. You can use natural, over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicine to spot treat the pimples and help them clear up more quickly.

What causes forehead acne?

No matter where acne forms on your face, the causes are similar. The T-Zone is a common area to break out in because the sebaceous glands is more likely to over produce sebum. Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with dirt, excess oil, and dead skin cells. Bacteria grow inside, creating swollen bumps. It causes whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples. Several factors increase oil production and make a person prone to pimples on the forehead.

Fluctuating Hormones: Puberty, Pregnancy, and Aging

Many people start getting acne during puberty. An increase in hormone levels causes your skin to produce more oil, resulting in pimples. Teens get acne because of the hormone changes that come with puberty. If your parents had acne as teens, it's more likely that you will have acne prone skin due to genetics.

Pregnancy acne isn't another form of acne. The changes in the body during pregnancy especially with hormonal changes can cause acne. The probable reason is an overproduction of oil which occurs when the body creates more of certain hormones. It's hard to predict who will develop pregnancy acne. You do have a higher risk, though, if you have a history of acne or have acne flares during your menstrual cycle.

Adult acne has many similarities to teenage acne in both causes and treatments. But there are some unique qualities to adult acne as well. This is acne that occurs after age 25. Some factors, including hormones, stress, medication, and the menstrual cycle in women, of which can influence hormonal imbalances and changes. You can keep experiencing acne throughout your whole life.

Hair and Hair Products

If you suffer from pimples on the forehead, your hair may be the culprit. If you don't wash your hair enough or if you have a naturally oily scalp, the oil runs down to your forehead and clogs your pores.

You might also get breakouts from the hair products you use. Hair styling products are notorious for causing acne. Overuse of hair products can worsen acne.

These include:

• Pomades
• Oils
• Mouses
• Sprays
• Gels
• Waxes

Makeup Application

The overuse of makeup, especially foundations & concealers, can lead to skin irritation or acne breakouts. You may get a breakout after you use new makeup if your skin is not used to the ingredients.

Touching your face with unsanitized hands, sponges, brushes, and other tools when applying makeup can also lead to acne. Excess bacteria on your beauty tools will also spread to your makeup. They can redeposit oil and bacteria onto your skin and into your pores.

Certain makeup product ingredients also can clog pores and cause acne to grow.

How is forehead acne treated?

The best way to stop forehead acne is to develop a good skincare routine.

Wash your face twice a day with a cleanser. Use an exfoliating product as well. Both of these will help remove excess oil and dirt from your clogged pores/skin. Also, spot-treating your acne will help as well.

Over The Counter Acne Products

There are many products marketed for acne. Using an acne wash, exfoliant, and spot treatment in combination or separately depending on how sensitive your skin is will help.

Best Acne Face Washes:

Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser (13.5 oz)

This greatest power cleansing gel facial cleanser fights acne breakouts and skin breakouts. Encapsulated Salicylic Acid constantly releases the best acne treatment for a long time even after cleaning. Silver Citrate offers highly effective anti-bacterial protection to prevent blemish development.

Face Reality Acne Face and Body Wash - 6 oz (CL-22) (03026)

Face Reality Acne Face and Body Wash is a powerful gel cleanser that penetrates deep into pores to fight acne-causing bacteria. The benzoyl peroxide helps unclog pores so they don't clog again, and this removes all oil from the skin.

Glymed Plus Serious Action Exfoliant Wash, 8 oz

Glymed Plus Serious Action Exfoliant Wash is formulated with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide and tiny granules to deep clean problem skin by stimulating skin, removing dead cells, oil and impurities. Texture and tone of skin becomes healed and improved with Aloe Vera and botanicals.

Best Acne Exfoliating Products:

Face Reality Acne Face and Body Scrub - 6 oz (CL-24) (03027)

Face Reality Acne Face and Body Scrub is an intense topical scrub with 10% benzoyl peroxide to fight acne-causing bacteria, unclog pores, and maintain cleanliness. This product should not be used around the eyes.

Skin Script Clarifying Toner Pads - 50 pads (13867)

Skin Script Clarifying Toner (Previously Blemish Control Toner) is an acne control toner that helps the cleanser in cellular turnover bringing oil and debris to the surface of the skin.

Image Skincare Clear Cell Medicated Acne Masque - 2 oz (CC-202)

Image Skincare Clear Cell Medicated Acne Masque was designed to immediately draw out impurities and excess oil. Contains AHA/BHA and anti-oxidant blends of nutrients, Image Skincare Clear Cell Medicated Acne Masque soothes irritated and red acne lesions while leaving skin fresh and oil-free. Paraben free.

Best Spot Treatments:

Murad Acne Control Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment - 0.5 oz

Murad Acne Control Rapid Relief Acne Place Treatment is maximum strength formula that reduces blemish size and redness within 4 hrs. Inspired by pine and thyme extracts, a patented complex fights irritants while preserving skin's nutritious balance.

Skin Script Blemish Spot Treatment - .5 oz (13873)

Skin Script Blemish Spot Treatment is a spot treatment to clear the pores and alleviate breakouts.

Dermalogica Clear Start Post Breakout Fix - 0.5 Fl. Oz.

Dermalogica Clear Start Post Breakout Fix helps fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (aka red and dark spots) that popping leaves behind. Featuring salicylic acid, hexylresorcinol, carob seed extract, and squalane, these powerhouse ingredients work together to even skin tone and fade post-breakout marks while stabilizing the skin's barrier to prevent future damage. Can be used on any of your stubborn marks, both new and old.

Natural remedies

Some natural remedies may help treat mild acne.

Best natural remedies:

• Aloe Vera
• Green Tea Extract
• Tea Tree Oil
• zinc
• Witch Hazel

Best Natural Products: Eminence Acne Advanced Cleansing Foam - 5 oz Eminence Clear Skin Targeted Acne Treatment (0.5oz)

Prescription treatment

For more severe acne, see a dermatologist. Prescription treatements can only be prescribed by a doctor.

Common Prescription strength treatments:

• Oral Medications (Antibiotics, contraceptives, spironolactone, etc...)
• Topical Medications (Retinoids: tretinoin, clascoterone, etc...)

Your doctor also has nondrug treatments to clear up acne, such as lasers, chemical peels or extractions.

Is it safe to pop a pimple on your forehead?

You never want to pop a pimple on your forehead or anywhere else on your face or body. Picking at acne introduces dirt from your fingers into your skin, which can lead to an infection or spread your acne. When you pop a pimple, it’ll take longer to heal. Popping a pimple can also leave a scarring.

Prevention tips

Try these tips to prevent acne on your forehead and other parts of your face:

• Wash your hair often. If your hair is greasy, use a shampoo that’s labeled to treat oily hair.
• When using hair products, make sure to wipe your forehead with a damp washcloth afterward.
• Avoid wearing headwear that covers your forehead.
• Keep your hands away from your skin. Make sure your hands are clean before touching your forehead.
• Use makeup, cleansers, and other products labeled “noncomedogenic.” This means they won’t clog your pores and cause acne.
• Clean your makeup tools. This prevents bacteria from spreading on the face.
• Have a skincare routine that helps with acne
• After sweating or water activities make sure to do your skincare routine.

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Forehead Acne: Causes and Treatements