Enjoy a life free from forehead acne with these tips

So many of us have had that moment in the mirror — you pin back your bangs, or lean in close and... bam. Tiny (or not so tiny) bumps and blemishes all over your forehead.

The queen of the T-zone, she can be fickle at the best of times. Introduce some funky hair products or makeup into the situation, and it can pop off (no pun intended).

You might be tempted to make a run for the closest hat shop or revisit your bandana era, but sit tight. Let's explore how to enjoy a life free from forehead acne — without having to invest in a new fedora!

What causes pimples on the forehead?

Similar to acne breakouts on other parts of the body, like the chest, arms, neck and back, there might be several reasons forehead pimples are showing up.

Unfortunately, acne isn’t something we always get to say goodbye to at our high school graduation, and some adults can still be dealing with acne into their 30s… or even their 50s [1]. But where does it come from?

In a nutshell, there are a few main culprits that can cause acne, including your hormone levels or a hormonal imbalance, family history, certain medications, health conditions, and even the hair products or skincare you use.

Acne vulgaris is often caused by inflamed or infected sebaceous glands. These glands produce an oily substance called sebum, and when they produce too much of it, it can lead to the development of acne vulgaris.

And because the T-zone has a bunch of oil glands, your forehead is one of the places where acne can really run rampant [2].

One last tidbit: according to peer-reviewed studies, stress can cause acne. It can affect your immune system and in turn, affect your skin. Higher stress levels have been linked to more severe acne — and this might be something to consider when it comes to treating your forehead acne [11].

Just like there are different causes of forehead pimples, there are also different types of pimples that can appear above your brows [3]. Knowing which type you have will help you find the best treatment, so let’s get into it!

What type of acne can show up on the forehead?

When we think of acne, we usually think of red bumps on the skin and that's about it. However, the term acne refers to more than just these typical blemishes [3]. It includes:

Blackheads

Those pesky, sometimes hard-to-see, spots that usually hang out near the edges of your nose. Blackheads are blocked pores that have become clogged with dead skin cells and excess oil [6].

When the light hits your pore, it can look like it's full of dirt — it's actually your clogged hair follicle. Blackheads are super common, and can definitely pop up on your forehead [6].

Whatever you do, don't try to squeeze them out yourself. You could create scarring, or even get more bacteria inside the pore. Not worth it, we promise.

Whiteheads

While blackheads occur with open pores, whiteheads happen when an irritated pore closes over dead skin and oil. Then, you end up with small bumps on the skin that have yellow or white tips or 'heads'.

Again, it's pretty common to find whiteheads on your forehead. No popping these guys either, we mean it!

Papules and pustules

Both papules and postules are super common. Papules are the small red bumps you probably associate with the word ‘pimple’ [8]. Pustules are, you guessed it, those volcano-type bumps that have pus inside them and can be incredibly tempting to squeeze.

But again, where possible, please don’t pop the pimple. Doing so can lead to further inflammation and in some cases, can cause acne scarring.

Cysts and nodules

Cysts and nodules are the type of acne that lives far deeper underneath your skin. They're both solid red bumps that can be painful and while cysts might have a head on them, nodules usually don’t. These guys are more often linked to severe acne and can cause scarring.

Before we go into finding the right treatment options for each acne type, let’s take one last look at what else might be behind your acne breakouts.

How do hormones affect forehead acne?

If we're trying to really point the finger, hormones and sebum are probably the ones that take most of the blame when it comes to acne triggers.

Hormonal imbalances, changes to your hormones (including puberty), menstrual cycle, or menopause can all cause breakouts [4].

Certain hormones cause pores to enlarge and in turn, create more sebum. Bacteria then mix with the sebum, which irritates your skin, and acne happens [4]. The most annoying trio ever.

What other conditions can cause forehead breakouts?

Alright, you got us. There are a couple more ways a forehead pimple breakout can happen, and they even have fancy names: acne cosmetica and acne mechanica.

Acne mechanica

It isn't caused by paying a huge bill at your local mechanic (though this might fall under the stress acne category) [5]. Instead, it refers to acne as a result of friction with your skin.

That favourite headband of yours? That cute beanie your nan knitted last winter? They might actually be causing acne. Stuff rubbing against/trapping oil on your skin = pimples on the forehead. Who knew! [5]

Acne cosmetica

Is pretty much what it sounds like — pimples caused by certain cosmetics or skincare products. This type of acne usually shows up as heaps of tiny bumps on the face and can be a delayed reaction to something you've used on your skin [9].

Lastly, you may have already heard of something called pomade acne — a type of acne cosmetica. You guessed it: forehead pimples can definitely be caused by certain hair products, especially if they contain a lot of oil [10].

Some resources suggest trying to avoid hair products that contain lanolin, petrolatum, vegetable oils or lauryl alcohol — all of which might worsen pomade acne [5].

All of this is really individual to your skin type — if you suspect a certain ingredient or product is making your acne worse, speak to your GP or dermatologist.

By now you're definitely across the different types of acne that can appear on your forehead. Time to dig into the most important part: how to treat forehead pimples, and how to prevent them from returning.

How to get rid of forehead acne

Treating acne is very much a game of figuring out the cause, and matching your treatment plan accordingly. E.g. if you're getting heaps of blackheads, you'll need a treatment that (gently) unclogs your pores. A good skincare routine goes a long way.

Acne-busting products

There are lots of treatments on the market. The most common acne options are topical treatments like creams, washes, spot treatments, etc.

Our acne range has plenty of products for you to explore, but if you're looking for the ultimate pimple-bashing regimen, our Acne Kit comes packed with 4 effective products to banish your breakouts for good:

• Acne Supplement: Formulated with a unique blend of acne-fighting vitamins and minerals to target breakouts where they begin and clear the skin from the inside, out.
• AHA/BHA Pimple Patches: Pimple stickers supercharged with salicylic acid and glycolic acid to deliver targeted ingredients into the heart of deep pimples, eliminating acne at the source.
• Salicylic Foaming Wash: A gentle exfoliating cleanser that sloughs away dead skin cells, impurities, and acne-causing bacteria for clear, smooth skin.
• Ceramide Repair Balm: A luxuriously rich moisturiser that replenishes and repairs the skin barrier, while delivering long-lasting hydration.

Custom treatment options

For more persistent acne some people might need medical treatments, like antibacterials, to clear things up. These types of treatments should always be supervised by your dermatologist or GP [4].

A good acne treatment will be tailor-made just for you and your skin. This is why Software's health practitioners create formulas personalised for your skin type and concern.

All you need to do is upload selfies and share your skin goals with your online practitioner. Then, a pharmacist creates your custom bottle, which is shopping straight to you. You also get access to professional, personalised advice on your skin, as well as ongoing, follow-up support from your practitioner as you use your treatment.

Is there a way to prevent acne on the forehead?

Now that you've got your forehead back to its calmer, un-blotchy self, you want to keep it that way. Your wish is our command.

First, you'll want to think about the above triggers we mentioned — do you need to avoid wearing headbands? Rethink your hairstyling routine? When was the last time you washed your makeup brushes?

Once you've thought through some of these changes, it can also be good to revisit the basics:

Stick to oil-free cosmetics and skincare products

This should help calm down any excess oil production, and reduce acne in the process. We've all heard about keeping our skin hydrated, but over-hydrated skin can cause pimples [5].

Swap out oily/heavy foundations for something lighter.

Wash your skin regularly

But not too regularly, and not with products that are too harsh for your skin. Washing your skin twice a day with a gentle cleanser should be more than enough — any more than this can create skin irritation and more acne in the long run [5].

Our Salicylic Foaming Wash is a great choice here, but if you prefer an oil-to-milk facial cleanser, you'll love our Hydrating Cleansing Oil.

Formulated with prebiotics, postbiotics and fatty acids, this oil cleanser is powerful enough to wipe away a full face of makeup and daily debris, yet gentle enough to support the skin barrier.

Avoid harsh skin treatments

Look, we know following the latest TikTok trends can be exciting. But before you write laser treatment in your diary, or start googling chemical peels, maybe hold off.

You might actually prevent acne by not putting your skin through the wringer [5].

Think about your crowning glory

Your hair can play a huge part in forehead spots. If you have naturally oily hair, it might need to be kept in a style that doesn't rest on your forehead [5].

And if you're a total haircare fiend, it could be time to check the ingredient label — make sure you're not adding oil or other stuff that can clog pores.

Resist the temptation to squeeze

We know all about the weird satisfaction it brings you, but you could be risking infection or a permanent scar.

If you've done all these things, tried a few treatments and nothing seems to be working, it might be worth getting a check-up. Some conditions can look a lot like acne but need more specialised treatment.

Photo credit: Getty Images