How to Get Rid of Forehead Acne: Causes, Treatment and Prevention

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Breaking out on the forehead is an undeniable annoyance. And it can be hard to get rid of these, especially when you don’t know the root cause of the issue. Is it hormones? Or is it a product you have started using?

To help you get a solution for how to treat forehead acne, we asked trusted dermatologists to start at the very beginning, explaining forehead acne causes, best tips and tricks for acne prevention, and most importantly how to treat forehead acne in effective ways. 

What are the Forehead acne Causes?

According to studies, forehead acne is usually caused by your pores getting clogged with oil, mixing with dead skin cells and bacteria, just like acne anywhere else on your body or face. And just like acne everywhere else, the main culprits for excess oil production are genetics and hormones.

Our hormones trigger our body to overproduce oil, resulting in bacteria growth and inflammation. Some people have more sensitive hormone receptors than others leading to breakouts regardless of the menstrual cycle or puberty. 

There are also other factors that can put your oil production into overdrive, as such day-to-day stress and biological stressors like systemic illness, your eating habits, and your environment. 

Other mechanical factors like headbands, hats, touching your forehead, or not washing your face properly can also lead to sweat and sebum getting trapped on your forehead, causing zits. 

Another reason or cause for forehead acne can include rich, greasy hair products containing coconut or olive oils, waxes, and butter, touching your forehead, as these can potentially clog your forehead pores too. 

How to Prevent Forehead Acne 

The following are a few tips that trusted dermatologist recommends to prevent acne on your forehead and other parts of your face: 

• To prevent forehead acne you should wash your face with a gentle cleanser twice a day. Rinse with warm water and gently pat dry. Remember not to scrub your face because rubbing can make acne worse. 
• Wash your hair frequently. If you notice that your hair is greasy, use a shampoo that is labeled to treat oily hair. 
• Don’t use oil or pomade products on your hair. If you still have to use them, wipe off your forehead afterward with a damp washcloth. 
• Use a hair tie to pull your hair up and away from your forehead, and also cut your bangs. Bangs can cause an ance on your forehead, especially if your hair is oily. 
• Don’t wear headbands or hats with brims that touch your forehead. 
• The most important thing to remember when it comes to the prevention of forehead acne is to keep your hands away from your skin. Because every time you touch your face, you introduce bacteria that can get in your pores. 
• When you do have to touch your forehead, always wash your hands first. 
• If you use makeup often, always try to go for makeup products, cleansers, and other products labeled “noncomedogenic.” This means they won’t clog your pores and cause forehead acne. 
• You can also start a Tretinoin skincare routine it can reduce oil production by overactive pores. By preventing clogged pores Retinol for acne also can work like magic on your skin. 

How to Get Rid of Forehead Acne

Now that we know why we get forehead acne and a few effective prevention tips, let’s get into how to get rid of it:

Exfoliate 

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If you get little bumps on your forehead, regular cleansing and exfoliating with a non-irritating chemical exfoliant may help you keep pores clean and free of clogs. But you also need to remember that physical exfoliants, such as face scrubs may further worsen the situation. 

Moisturize

If you are looking for an easy way to tell your body to stop producing more oil, Try replacing the moisture that was washed or treated away with a gentle moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated. 

Do you put tretinoin on before or after moisturizer? The study has shown that for the best results, you should first apply a base layer of your moisturizer, then tretinoin. The study also found that the base layer does not dilute or reduce the efficacy of the retinoid.

Try using a retinoid

There are many retinoids in the market. It is an over-the-counter acne medication that improves the unclogging of your pores. You can do some research or consult a dermatologist to ask for the right retinoid for your skin. 

Use salicylic acid 

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On the other hand, along with forehead acne if you are looking for a solution for blackheads or whiteheads then salicylic acid is a great option for you. 

It is an oil-soluble, allowing it to go deep in your pores. Especially, it helps dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells on your skin's surface that get trapped in your pores. If you have a sensitive skin type then you can use a 2 percent concentration, and can even be combined with benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, or AHAs.

Try a combination therapy 

You can try a combination therapy for chronic or stubborn acne symptoms. Sometimes it can be the best course of action to combine three solutions in one regimen, cleansing, exfoliating, and treating with a prescription topical. 

In short 

Forehead acne is generally caused by sweat, hormones, headwear, or hygiene habits. If the pimples on your forehead are minor, only by adopting a few lifestyle changes you may clear them up on their own in a couple of weeks. 

But if you notice that the bumps on your skin might be something other than acne, it is best to contact your dermatologist to examine your skin and make a diagnosis.