Forehead Acne: 5 Possible Causes And 5 Home Remedies

Having to deal with frequent pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads on your forehead frequently? You’re most likely suffering from forehead acne. Acne is a common skin disorder caused by excessive secretion of sebum, the natural oil produced by what are known as sebaceous glands. It can affect any part of your body but is usually more common on parts of your face like your nose, temples, and forehead. However, forehead acne happens to be one of the most commonly occurring types among these.

Wondering what might be leading to those annoying breakouts on your forehead? Here are 5 factors that could be responsible for them and 5 effective remedies to treat them at home.

5 Major Causes Of Forehead Acne

1. Harmful Hair Care Products

The products you use to care for your hair can sometimes irritate the skin on your forehead. Shampoos, conditioners, and styling products all contain chemicals and oils that can trickle down and clog the pores on your forehead, leading to breakouts. This type of acne is known as acne cosmetica.¹ It usually starts with tiny bumps along the hairline but can spread if you continue using harmful hair care products without caution. You should also be careful about the residue of these products on pillowcases or in caps.

2. Stress

Psychological stress can lead to the onset of multiple skin problems including forehead acne. Stress has been found to cause hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands, leading to and aggravating breakouts on the forehead.² So, people prone to acne may find it getting worse in the forehead area if they are under too much stress.

3. Unhealthy Diet And Poor Digestion

The food you eat plays a major role in the health and appearance of your skin. Eating oily foods in excess or an imbalance in the levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet can trigger forehead acne.³ You may also experience breakouts on your forehead if your digestive system isn’t functioning well. This is because poor digestion can lead to an accumulation of toxic substances in your body, resulting in acne.

4. Poor Hygiene

If you don’t clean your face regularly, your pores are likely to get clogged with dirt deposits. This, in turn, can lead to a sebum buildup, which can eventually turn into acne. Sometimes, the bacteria living on the surface of your skin may even enter your pores and cause an infection. This is likely to happen if you have the habit of popping the zits and bumps on your skin. If the infection worsens, your skin can get inflamed and even develop cysts.⁴

5. Hormonal Imbalance

Androgens, or male hormones, are present in both men and women. An imbalance or rise in their levels can overstimulate sebaceous glands, causing them to produce more oil.⁵ This, in turn, can make your skin more susceptible to breakouts.

Now that you know which factors are likely to be triggering your forehead acne, here are 5 simple but effective home remedies to treat it. If you’re prone to allergic reactions, it’s a good idea to do a patch test before trying any of these remedies.

5 Great Home Remedies For Forehead Acne

1. Tea Tree Oil

An essential oil extracted from a native Australian tree, tea tree oil has powerful antimicrobial properties that can visibly reduce the intensity of acne.⁶

How To Use

Apply 2–3 drops of tea tree oil to your forehead skin regularly to kill acne-causing bacteria and get rid of your acne.

2. Lemon Juice

The citric acid in lemon has strong antibacterial properties, which prove effective against forehead acne. It also clears up clogged pores instantly, reducing the chances of infection.⁷

How To Use

• Directly apply lemon juice to the affected parts of your forehead.
• Leave it on for 5 minutes before washing off.

3. Honey

The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of bee’s honey make it an effective remedy for forehead acne.⁸

How To Use

• Directly apply bee’s honey or mix it with lemon juice and then apply the paste to the forehead.
• Leave it on for 5 minutes before washing off.

4. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel is effective in reducing the redness caused by acne because of its anti-inflammatory properties.⁹ It also prevents bacteria from infecting acne wounds, thus preventing acne from spreading.

How To Use

• Take a few fresh aloe leaves and slice them to release the gel inside.
• Apply this gel directly to the affected areas of your forehead.
• Leave it on for a while for the aloe to work its magic on your acne.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

The organic acids in apple cider vinegar are believed to kill off acne-causing bacteria, making it an effective remedy against forehead acne.

How To Use

• Mix one part of apple cider vinegar with three parts of water.
• Apply this solution to the affected parts of your forehead and leave it on for about 15 seconds.
• Repeat regularly for results.

In addition to these remedies, gently exfoliating your face on a regular basis, eating nutritious food, and drinking plenty of water can keep your skin healthy and free from breakouts. Using the right skincare products can make a lot of difference too. Take these simple steps to steer clear of forehead acne and enjoy beautiful skin.