While pimples can develop almost anywhere on the face or body, the chin and the jawline tend to be the areas most commonly prone to acne breakouts. Why? And what can you do about it? You’re about to find out…
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What Causes Acne on the Jawline?
Whether it occurs along the jawline, on the t-zone, or anywhere on the body, jawline acne can usually be attributed to one of the following factors:
Hormones
The most common cause of jawline acne, imbalanced hormones send your oil glands into overdrive, ramping up sebum production. All of that extra oil mixes in with the dead skin cells and dirt in your pores, forming a blockage. Once bacteria is introduced, inflammation occurs, resulting in pimples.
When caused by hormones, acne usually takes the form of nodules or cysts. These lie deeper in the skin, often near a nerve, which is why they can sometimes be quite painful.
The hormonal imbalances that cause acne could be due to anything from puberty and menstruation to pregnancy and menopause. This is why women tend to be more prone to acne than men [1]. However, high stress levels and a lack of sleep could also interfere with your hormones.
Lifestyle Habits
There are numerous lifestyle factors that could be contributing to your acne, such as:
- A poor diet
- Tight/irritating fabrics rubbing against the skin
- Sports equipment, such as a helmet or a chin strap
- Shaving and ingrown hairs/blocked hair follicles
- Playing certain musical instruments, such as the violin
- Frequently touching your face
Certain Medications
Some medications, especially those containing steroids, can trigger acne. If you have recently started taking a new medication and your acne has coincided with that, then you’ve likely found the cause.
Skin and Hair Products
Some cosmetic products contain ingredients that are known for clogging up the pores. However, it’s not just the products that you apply to your face that require attention – shampoos, conditioners, styling sprays, and just about anything else that goes on your hair can also end up on your skin.
If you’ve noticed that your pimples are appearing on the parts of your face that come into contact with your hair, then your hair products could be to blame.
How to Get Rid of Acne Along the Jawline
When it comes to treating acne, it’s important to use a variety of methods. This will bring about results much faster than a single treatment, meaning that you can then move your focus to prevention.
Keep Your Face Clean
Keeping your face clear of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells means that none of these will be able to clog up your pores, therefore preventing acne from breaking through.
In addition to cleansing your face twice a day, plus whenever you’ve been heavily sweating, you should also be regularly exfoliating. Cleansing is great for the surface of the skin, but exfoliation delves deeper into the pores. Look for a chemical exfoliant containing salicylic acid for maximum benefits.
It goes without saying that if you want to keep your face clean, then anything that touches your face on a regular basis, such as your phone or your pillowcase, should also be kept as clean as possible. This prevents bacteria from transferring back and forth between various surfaces.
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Try Over-the-Counter Acne Products
As mentioned, salicylic acid is the go-to ingredient for fighting acne. Multiple research institutions have proven it to be superior to everything else when it comes to reducing the number and severity of breakouts [2]. This is why you’ll find the ingredient in many over-the-counter products, and it’s one that’s definitely worth trying.
You’ll also notice that many spot treatments contain benzoyl peroxide. Just like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide is another ingredient that dermatologists recommend, especially for those with pus-filled pimples. One advantage to benzoyl peroxide is that it’s antibacterial. It’s able to destroy acne-causing bacteria, preventing your breakouts from spreading, while also reducing your chances of developing a skin infection in open lesions.
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Give Natural Remedies a Go
Many people may scoff at natural acne remedies, but science has actually confirmed the efficacy of several. Aloe vera, for example, has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to make other acne-fighting ingredients more effective [3].
Tea tree oil and honey are both known for their antibacterial benefits, while apple cider vinegar, zinc, and witch hazel have also been successful at treating pimples.
See a Dermatologist for Prescription Creams and Medication
If you just can’t seem to clear those pimples, then it’s time to pay a visit to your dermatologist. They’ll be able to take a closer look at all of your symptoms to get to the bottom of your acne, and therefore determine the best treatment. Even if your spots are quite new but look severe, it’s worth seeking a professional opinion to help prevent scarring.
If you’re also experiencing breakouts on your forehead or anywhere else, your dermatologist might want to try face mapping. This ancient Eastern medicine technique helps dermatologists to tailor their treatments based on the location of your breakouts and, according to Purewow, face mapping could also point out certain underlying health conditions [4].
For example, whiteheads and blackheads on the forehead or t-zone will usually be treated with a prescription cream, while acne on the jawline is often hormonal, therefore requiring prescription medication. Your derm may find that polycystic ovary syndrome is the cause of your jawline acne, which is a condition that affects the endocrine system. In this case, birth control pills or isotretinoin are likely treatments.
There are also a few other professional treatment options that may be recommended. Extractions and chemical peels can help, while laser treatments are effective at preventing acne scars.
We also recommend reading our article covering how to get rid of neck acne.
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How to Prevent Jawline and Chin Breakouts
Once you’ve found some acne treatments that work for you, you’ll need to make a few changes to ensure that your pimples don’t return.
Be Careful of What You Put Onto Your Skin
As mentioned earlier, some skincare products contain ingredients that quickly clog up the pores. Even if you regularly exfoliate, your skin doesn’t stand much of a chance, making it important to ensure that all of your cosmetics are non-comedogenic. This simply means that they don’t contain any pore-clogging ingredients and are safe to be used on acne-prone skin.
Watch What You Eat
Your diet directly influences the health of your skin. Certain foods, such as dairy and sugar, have been linked to breakouts on the chin and jawline [5]. Many women have found that cutting these foods out of their diet both reduces acne and improves overall health.
Keep Your Stress Levels Low
Stress and acne are closely linked. Not only is stress extremely detrimental to your mental health, but it also triggers your body into producing stress hormones. These increase natural oil production, resulting in acne.
If you’ve been struggling to de-stress on your own, consider a wellness program. The Mount Sinai Hospital offers a popular one that focuses on wellness treatments to reduce stress.
Don’t Touch or Pop Your Pimples
People don’t realize just how often they touch their face. Well, each time. you do so, you’re spreading germs, bacteria, dirt, and other unwanted substances that could quickly trigger a breakout. So, no matter how tempting it may be, resist the urge to touch your face, and definitely don’t start popping your pimples!
FAQs
What foods cause jawline acne?
Dairy products and sugar are two foods that commonly trigger acne, especially in women.
Is jawline acne always hormonal?
Jawline acne can be caused by a number of different factors, just one of which is hormones.
How do you fix hormonal acne?
Hormonal acne usually requires medication in order to be effectively treated.
Conclusion
If the spots on your skin have been getting you down, don’t despair – there really are plenty of ways to treat jawline acne. It’s always worth starting with a combination of store-bought products (see our recommended acne treatments here) and natural remedies. If these don’t work, head to your dermatologist for a customized treatment plan. Remember – you’re not on your own. Acne is one of the most common skin conditions out there, so stay dedicated to finding the treatments that work for you and clear skin will once again be yours.
References
[1] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071019155627.htm
[2] https://europepmc.org/article/med/1535287
[3] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238635246_The_effect_of_Aloe_vera_gel_on_the_anti-acne_properties_of_the_essential_oil_of_Ocimum_gratissimum_Linn_leaf-a_preliminary_clinical_investigation
[4] https://www.purewow.com/beauty/acne-face-map
[5] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/does-diet-really-matter-when-it-comes-to-adult-acne-2020081920726
