Are Your Hair Products Causing Your Forehead To Break Out?
Forehead breakouts are some of the most frustrating to deal with since it's difficult to cover the unwanted bumps unless you happen to have a stylish fringe or bangs. It's even more annoying when you've suddenly developed a breakout, as there is a multitude of factors that can cause pimples to emerge. Trying to determine what caused your forehead to break out can make you feel like Nancy Drew attempting to uncover a mystery, but not in a good way. To combat further investigation attempts, remember that your acne is telling you certain things about your health, and it's important to listen to what your skin is trying to say.
According to Healthline, your skin may be breaking out along your hairline because of the products you're using to tame your mane. Who would have thought, right? Certain hair care products contain comedogenic ingredients which effectively clog your pores when remnants of the product contact your skin. In particular, any shampoo, conditioner, styling cream, or spray containing oil is more likely to cause your forehead to break out, per the American Academy of Dermatology.
If you suspect your hair products are causing your forehead to break out, there's no need to panic. All you need to do is make a few simple changes and your skin will gradually start to clear up on its own.
Go through the ingredient list on each of your hair products
Before you throw your $60 shampoo and conditioner set in the trash, take a few minutes to scan the list of ingredients on each of your hair products to look for potential acne-causing additives. Dr. Camille Verovic, a dermatologist, says (via Martha Stewart), "Styling pomades or waxes are the first place I would take inventory" as these items are more likely to contain comedogenic ingredients than your other products. The main thing to watch out for is oil, as this is the most common culprit.
Certain types of oils, polymers, and waxes are known to cause forehead breakouts, though it's difficult to pinpoint the exact variations since some people will respond negatively to these ingredients whereas others won't develop acne because of them. To figure out what does and doesn't work for you, test each product individually to see how your skin reacts. Once you've found something that prompts a break-out, eliminate this product and look for a better alternative.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, any hair product with the terms "non-comedogenic" and "non-acnegenic" are safe to use. Similarly, if a styling cream says it's oil-free and it won't clog pores, you're in the clear.
Switch out harmful hair products and protect your skin
Once you've identified the problematic products and you've swapped them out for better alternatives, theoretically your forehead breakouts should improve. Dermatologist Dr. Iris Rubin suggests using both hair care and skin care products containing salicylic acid to keep your forehead clear long-term, since salicylic acid is a renowned acne-fighting ingredient (via HelloGiggles). This is especially helpful when you're still dealing with the initial breakouts that prompted your investigation in the first place.
Dr. Rubin recommends using a salicylic acid face and body wash to treat the affected area, and you should notice your skin clearing up in a matter of weeks (via Martha Stewart). Once you've cleansed your forehead properly, it's time to clean any items that may contain residue from the pore-clogging products you've been using, too. Place your pillowcases, headbands, soft hats, and sheets in the wash to ensure they're cleaned properly (per the American Academy of Dermatology). If you've recently used a baseball cap or visor, be sure to wash these by hand.
Your forehead break out may not clear up overnight, but you'll be on the right track to maintain a healthier hairline if you implement these steps.