You might be thinking this if you’re experiencing some pimples on your forehead. Here’s the thing: Forehead acne, while triggered by many of the same stuff that spurs other acne, can also have several unique causes you might not be thinking of. Here, we explain them with their quick fixes. These are comedonal types of acne, or acne where the pore is closed, notes board-certified dermatologist Tanya Kormeili, M.D. (Non-comedonal acne have open pores so the gunk inside oxidizes and turns dark—creating blackheads). Then there are even sport-specific causes of acne: “Additionally, bacteria can grow under helmets and bandannas or other sporting equipment. To make matters worse, mechanical wear and tear from sporting equipment can also cause acne,” says Kormeili. “Forehead is a unique part of the face because it can be in direct contact with your hair,” says Kormeili. “Any styling hair products such as oils or gels, etc., can accidentally be in contact with the forehead skin and lead to clogging of the pores and acne.” Additionally, many hair styling products contain more comedogenic ingredients than those designed for the face—this includes waxes, butters, thick oils, silicones, and powders in dry shampoos. Also, Rodney advises, if you regularly exercise with headbands, wash these after every use. The sweat and bacteria will fester on the cloth between workouts, and then transfer to your forehead the next time you wear it. After a workout be sure to rinse your skin with a gentle cleanser or water—nothing too strong as your pores are more open after sweating and therefore more easily irritated. Read our guide to washing post-workout here. Another thing to note, says Rodney, is to be mindful of when you apply your hair products. “Hair products, especially oily ones, should not be applied at bedtime or before lying down,” she says. So if you recently started doing nighttime hair masks or oil treatments and then started breaking out on your forehead, it’s likely the culprit.
