What's Causing Acne Between Your Eyebrows And How Do You Get Rid Of It?
Despite being one of the most common skin conditions, acne can present itself in various ways and on different parts of the face. Depending on where acne appears, these breakouts can be a clue as to why clusters of blackheads and whiteheads appear in the first place. The most common area to experience acne is the T-zone, which includes the forehead and nose. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the pores in your skin are much larger here than in other areas. As a result, they are much more likely to get clogged with all sorts of debris like dead skin and oil, via SELF Magazine.
For some, T-zone acne can present itself more so on the forehead or nose. For others, between the eyebrows are a prime target for spots to gather. This is understandable, as it's one of the most concentrated areas of hair on the face. Obviously, you can pluck, thread, or wax the hair away, but the follicles remain, and so carry the potential of getting clogged. But there must be a way to prevent acne between your eyebrows, right?
There are three types of acne that can occur between your eyebrows
Like any acne that occurs in your T-zone, it's all about unclogging your pores. But it's also worth noting that three different types of acne occur in this area before you jump into treatment. According to Byrdie, pustules, papules, and cystic acne are the most common culprits in this area. All three are caused by the clogging of pores, which can be genetic such as oily-prone skin, or a result of environmental factors like makeup and diet. There's also a possibility that your skin is reacting to specific treatments applied to the area, particularly eyebrow wax.
If you prefer waxing to plucking, this may well be why your skin breaks out between your brows. One way to avoid this is by sugaring; another way to remove body hair by using a paste of lemon, water, and sugar, via Healthline. "Sugaring encompasses three ingredients to remove the hair and avoids causing inflammation or harm to the pulled skin," Jacqueline Schaffer, MD, told Byrdie. "Versus if you wax, it contains several ingredients and causes harm and redness to the skin."
Acne between your eyebrows can be caused by diet and genetics
If you don't wax, the acne between your eyebrows may come down to your body trying to tell you something about your health. The food you eat can play a significant part in developing any acne, particularly in your T-zone. Craig Kraffert, MD, told Byrdie that making sure you eat enough "fatty, omega-rich" food and decreasing your consumption of dairy can help promote healthy skin.
But the most common reason that acne between your eyebrows occurs is down to excess oil. According to Healthline, oily skin can be a genetic factor in addition to not knowing your skin type and using the wrong treatment for your acne. If you're unsure about whether you have combination or oily skin, or whether there are other mitigating factors causing acne between your eyebrows like waxing or blocked pores, it's always best to contact a healthcare professional or dermatologist who will be able to help you get on the right track.