How To Get Rid Of Forehead Acne: The 3 Major Causes & Quick Fixes

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. 

Technically, any form of zit can appear anywhere you have a pore, but certain areas of the face and body lend themselves to specific types of acne.

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).

There's an additional type of acne that may be more common on the forehead: fungal acne. "While most types of acne are related to bacteria within the hair follicles, there is one specific type known as 'pityrosporum folliculitis' that often occurs on the forehead and is due to fungal organisms within the follicles," says Ife J. Rodney, M.D., FAAD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics. She notes that these present themselves as small, uniform, itchy bumps. "These fungal organisms are usually present on our skin at all times but can occasionally overgrow, resulting in fungal folliculitis."

Let's look into all the weird reasons you may have forehead breakouts.

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. 

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.

Think about your hands throughout the day: You might be accidentally touching your forehead more than you realize, be it from brushing away hairs or something more serious, like stress headaches. 

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. 

Ready for it? Try not to touch the area. Easier said than done, but do your best to be mindful of it. For example, you may be growing your hair or bangs; gently pin them back during the day so you're not regularly swatting your hair. Or if you find your forehead touching is stress-related, look into preventive measures. 

Forehead acne can have all regular-acne causes, like hormones and so on, but it can also have a few that are unique to the area. So other than tending to the acne with proper treatments, "simple lifestyle changes can go a long way in preventing forehead acne," says Gabriel.