How Is Jawline Acne Treated
To get rid of pimples on your jaw, try the same treatments youd use to clear acne on other parts of your face.
Start by washing your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser to remove excess oil from your skin. If that doesnt work, try an over-the-counter acne product containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
You can also try a natural acne remedy, such as:
For more severe acne, or if over-the-counter acne remedies dont work, see a dermatologist. If youre concerned about your acne and dont already have a dermatologist, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. You may need a prescription-strength acne treatment, such as:
- antibiotic gels, creams, lotions, or pills
- benzoyl peroxide
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Your doctor also has nondrug treatments to clear up acne, such as lasers and chemical peels. Larger pimples may need to be drained.
Women should see a gynecologist if breakouts happen right around their period. Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yasmin, Alesse, and other birth control pills can help with chin breakouts linked to your menstrual cycle or PCOS.
These other conditions can also cause bumps to form on your jaw:
Use The Right Skin Routine
Keep in mind that its easy to overlook your jawline when washing your face, so make sure you pay it special attention. Wear something that leaves your shoulders bare when you wash your face, so youre not concerned about getting your top wet. Youd be surprised at how often you neglect your jawline and neck for this very reason.
Keep Your Hands Off Your Face
Since all blemishes are related to bacteria in the pores, youll want to prevent any unnecessary bacteria from transferring to the skin. Did you know touching your face all day long, without intentionally doing so, makes your face one of the dirtiest parts of your body? Do you rest your face in your hands when at your desk? Do you tend to pick at your face when you are thinking? If so, try to work on breaking those bad habits.
At the very least, wash your hands frequently throughout the day. Youll also definitely want to clean your skin at night to remove acne-causing bacteria. For pimples on the chin and jawline, I recommend a non-drying, sulfate-free cleanser that uses salicylic and lactic acids. Salicylic acid helps keep bacteria out of the pores, and lactic acid smoothes and fades post-breakout marks.
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Prevention Tips To Follow In Case Of Jawline Acne
Do not use products that could hurt the skin. Irritating products have alcohol in them. They are astringents or exfoliants that vigorously affect acne on the jawline and neck.
Dont pop a pimple, no matter where it is on your body. Dirt from your fingers could get into your skin when you pick or pop a zit, which could cause an infection. It will take longer to heal when you pop a pimple in the long run. Bursting can also leave a long-term scar.
Cleanse your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Rinse with warm water, then gently pat dry with a paper towel or a towel. Dont clean. It can make acne more alarming if you rub your face too much. Make sure you dont wear clothes that touch your skin when wearing a helmet. It would help if you washed your face after you wore a helmet.
When you shave, be careful. Use a few different blades, such as electric and safety ones. It will help you determine which one is the gentlest on your skin. When you use a safety razor, apply a gentle shave lotion or soap and water to your skin before you start to shave. It will help you avoid friction.
Makeup, cleansers, and other products that say noncomedogenic should be used. It means that they wont make you break out.
Keep your hands out of your body. Every time you touch your face, you bring bacteria with you that can get into your pores. It would help if you washed your hands before you touched your chin.
How Jawline Acne Affects You
Maybe you are finding that you are breaking out in one certain area every time. Some people get acne in their T-zone, some get texture issues in their cheeks and a lot of people are affected by jawline acne. Big red bumps lining the chin and jaw can be uncomfortable, embarrassing and affect your self-esteem. Jawline acne is often worse than pimples in other areas because it can ruin the contour of your face. It draws the attention from your best feature such as your eyes and directs it straight to your chin and jaw area where the acne is.
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Dont Overdo It With Masks And Deep Treatments
When youre dealing with acne, it can be easy to think the best course of action is the most heavy-duty treatment that will dry your acne up. But using deep treatments on a daily basis could lead to over-stripping the skin and actually cause you to produce even more oil and, therefore, more breakouts, Dr. Jaliman says.
Dr. Hirsch added: Take things down a notch by saving masks or deep skin treatments for a once a week treat.
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Cystic Acne Treatment: Phototherapy
For those who dont respond toor are unable to withstand the side effects of isotretinoin, there are a few new treatments. Unconventional and new approaches coming down the line for acne are exciting, Palm says.
These include blue light therapy to fight off bacteria and , a kind of medication that makes certain cells vulnerable to an intensive light . Insurance might not cover these treatments, she adds.
Although light therapies may reduce acne, they arent effective at getting rid of pimples completely, says the American Academy of Dermatology . Generally, youll need multiple treatments and may even need follow up sessions.
Infrared, blue, red, and blue + red light devices wont eliminate cystic acne, according to the AAD. But photodynamic therapy can treat severe cystic acne for years after initial treatment.
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Does Diet Cause Acne On The Chin
Another major cause of acne on the chin is the food you eat, impacting your skin from the inside and out!
- Oily Foods: Consumption of salty, greasy foods such as chips and french fries can leave oil residues around your mouth to clog skin pores and cause pimples.
- Dairy & High GI Foods: As with all other acne types, there appears to be a correlation between certain foods’ consumption and breakouts on the chin, mouth, and jawline. The worst culprits? Dairy and high-glycemic foods such as sugar and refined carbohydrates. Eating large amounts of these goods has been shown to trigger and worsen. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, avoiding foods with high GI is one of the best ways to prevent acne.
To learn more, check out this blog, the best diet for people with acne.
Causes And Prevention Of Chin Acne
From hormones to genetics and even diet, Granite breaks down the five main causes of chin acne.
- Birth control: While Granite says it’s difficult to say if Anna’s skin flare-up is entirely due to halting her use of Cerazette, a progestin-only pill, it is possible. “These types of oral contraceptives are not ones that typically improve breakouts and may actually exacerbate them in many women.”
- Genetics: Still, the breakout could also be due to biology. “Genetics play a large role in the development of acne at any age, and natural hormonal fluctuations may trigger its onset as well,” says Granite. “When we call acne ‘hormonal,’ it most often does not mean there’s an underlying hormonal imbalance but rather is linked to a complex interplay of the hormones we naturally produce and our skin.”
- Lifestyle: A number of lifestyle habits can affect the health of your skin, so Granite recommends keeping a healthy routine to avoid breakouts. “Stress plays a big role in acne, so anything you can do toward stress reduction will helpregular exercise, yoga, or meditation,” she says.
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Products That Can Cause Jawline Acne
Many products can cause or exacerbate pimples on the chin and jawline. The skin here is typically drier than elsewhere, so skincare products that work well for your forehead or nose can sometimes cause issues in the U-zone. However, the two main culprits are makeup foundation and abrasive acne treatment products.
Using the wrong kind of foundation or forgetting to remove makeup definitely contributes to breakouts.
When you remove makeup at night, you could forget to remove the foundation applied to the jaw. Makeup can clog pores if it is on the skin too long, so its important to remove it gently every night.
Even if you remove your makeup completely, it can still lead to acne if youre using the wrong kind. This is especially true of foundation. Before buying, check for labels like non-comedogenic, non-pore-clogging, or oil-free. Those are far less likely to clog the pores. Learn about how to choose the best makeup products for acne here.
Try Drinking Spearmint Tea
If you want to go the natural route to help neutralize acne-inducing hormones, Dr. Campbell says you can try brewing spearmint tea, which acts as a plant-based anti-androgen, or a compound that has the biological effect of blocking or suppressing male sex hormones, like testosterone, that may lead to acne, according to a study published in the International Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Dr. Campbell recommends consuming three cups of spearmint tea, iced or hot. But take note: Since this influences hormones, its important not to do this while pregnant, she says.
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Hormonal Jawline Acne: Where Does It Come From
A common feature of hormonal acne is breakouts on the chin and jawline area. Unlike other types of acne, hormonal acne is characterized by bumps that are deeper than the surface . Deeper pimples like cysts are what Dr. Zenovia likes to call underground pimples because they are difficult to pop and express. Picking at cysts will only lead to scarring and more inflammation which leads to more pimples!
Keep Your Cell Phone Clean
Another small simple change that can make a world of a difference. Like touching your face, cell phones are not the cause of acne, but they can potentially make acne worse due to the presence of bacteria on your mobile device, experts say.
Be sure to wipe down your phone daily to avoid unnecessary bacteria from getting onto your skin and contributing to cystic acne.
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How Do I Prevent Cystic Acne
According to Waldorf, Cysts can be avoided or at least recurrence avoided by not picking or popping, which can make a smaller acne papule or pustule into a cyst.
In addition to keeping your hands off your acne, she recommends keeping your phone surface clean with regular alcohol wipe swipes and not holding it too firmly against your face.
Oh, and Wash. Your. Mask!
Cystic acne can also be aggravated by hair products and some cosmetics. Talk with your doc about whats right for you.
What Causes Acne To Form On Your Jawline
Under your skin are tiny oil glands, called sebaceous glands, that produce the oil that lubricates and protects your skin. Oil gets to the surface of your skin through small holes called pores.
When your pores get clogged with dirt, excess oil, and dead skin cells, bacteria can grow inside them, which creates a swollen bump called a pimple. Pimples can be red and solid, or have a collection of white pus at the top. Pimples can form anywhere on your face, including along your jawline.
A number of factors increase oil production and lead to acne. These include:
- medicines you take, such as contraceptives, antidepressants, B vitamins, and corticosteroids
Women are more likely than men to get acne along their jawline or chin. These breakouts are usually due to an increase in male hormones that stimulate the oil glands. Some women notice more acne around the time of their period as their hormone levels shift. Acne can also be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome , a condition in which women have higher-than-normal levels of male hormones and small growths called cysts in their ovaries.
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In men, shaving can sometimes cause breakouts. Shaving with a dirty razor lets bacteria into the skin, and certain shaving creams and oils can clog pores. Sometimes shaving can irritate sensitive skin, leading to pimples.
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What Is The Best Moisturizer For Acne On The Chin Area
The best moisturizers for people with acne-prone skin are oil-free and include dimethicone or hyaluronic acid. Dimethicone helps to reduce trans-epidermal water loss without leaving a greasy feel. It also contains both occlusive and emollient properties, meaning it helps bring hydrating to the skin’s surface and keep it there! Dimethicone is suitable for acne and sensitive skin, as it is non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic .
In the MDacne moisturizer, we’ve also included active botanical extracts like aloe vera and witch hazel, which have anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties.
What Is Severe Acne
Severe acne causes breakouts that often extend deep into the skin. Called cysts and nodules, these breakouts tend to be painful. When severe acne clears, acne scars often appear.
You may also see many blackheads, whiteheads, or both when acne is severe.
Anyone who has severe acne knows how stubborn it can be. You cannot clear it with acne treatment that you buy at the store. To see clearing, you either have to wait it out or see a dermatologist. Waiting out severe acne can take years.
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The Advantages Of Shaving Gel Over Shaving Cream
Shaving cream, makeup, even acne products themselves can all cause acne along your jaw, so its important to know which products to trust and which to avoid. Similar to the other common causes of jawline acne, shaving cream can lead to acne on your jaw because it can irritate your skin. The two ingredients that you want to avoid if you have jawline acne are sodium lauryl sulfate and any fragrance.
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a harsh chemical used to foam up shaving cream, but when it gets into the pores, the skin is often irritated and may set off the inflammation response.
Fragrances created by essential oils are usually okay, but if the ingredient list of the shaving cream just says fragrance, you may want to try a different product. Fragrance chemicals are big-time irritants.
To avoid SLS, we recommend using a shaving gel instead of shaving cream, since it doesnt require any harsh chemicals to make it foamy. A quick Google search for SLS-free shaving gel should turn up a couple of good options, like Every Man Jack, which is SLS-free, fragrance-free, and vegan to boot.
When In Doubt See Your Dermatologist
Acne treatments are not one size fits all, Dr. Marchbein points out. If you are breaking out, make sure to see your dermatologist for a comprehensive acne routine. You wont necessarily find a total cure, she notes, but your derm can prescribe you creams and topical antibiotics that will treat existing breakouts and prevent new ones from forming.
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What Products Arent Safe For Pregnancy Acne
Many of the creams and meds that are typically used to zap zits contain ingredients that could potentially harm your growing baby, so youll want to steer clear. Acne products to avoid during pregnancy include:
- Retinoids. Serious breakouts in adults are sometimes tackled with such strong-arm products as Retin-A and other topical retinoids . All of these are completely off-limits until after you deliver and wean, since they can be absorbed through the skin into your breast milk and your and your babys bloodstream.
- Doxycycline and minocycline. These are another definite no-no, since their use during pregnancy can negatively affect your baby. In fact, its best to avoid virtually all oral acne medication during pregnancy .
- Oral isotretinoin. It poses the risk for birth defects, premature birth or miscarriage.
Topical salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, two chemicals found in a huge range of skin care and drugstore products, are generally okay to use in small amounts during pregnancy, according to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as well as the American Academy of Dermatology .
However, not all experts consider them safe for expecting women. If youre considering using a product containing one of these ingredients, talk with your doctor first.
What Causes Acne On The Chin
The cause of chin acne can be from hormonal imbalances in the body as well as potentially from consuming dairy. Hormonal shifts can stimulate oil production which leads to an increase of bacteria getting trapped in the pores resulting in pustules and cystic pimples. This results in sore, painful acne, pustules, and cystic blemishes. Chin acne is found most often in female adults between the ages of twenty-one and forty-five.
These types of chin pimples usually dont respond very quickly to traditional drying spot treatments. Since breakouts in this area tend to be cystic , spot treatments dry out the surface but leave the bump underneath. Sound familiar? Also, since cysts are large and severe, they can last for up to three weeks and leave red, dark scars that linger even longer.
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