June is Acne Awareness Month and we’re covering different topics to help you manage blemishes. Ever wonder why you always tend to break out in the same areas? We’ve got news: there’s a good chance it’s not just a coincidence. A combination of genetics, lifestyle factors and everyday habits can have a big impact on where (and how often) you tend to break out. Read on to learn how acne face mapping can help you if you’re struggling with blemishes.
Is acne mapping accurate?
For all the skincare skeptics out there, we do not blame you for asking this question—in fact, we think it’s great you want the facts, so you can build a skincare regimen that really works. While acne mapping isn’t a completely foolproof method (and it’s not a defined field of study in dermatology), it can be a very useful tool to help diagnose why you’re experiencing breakouts in certain spots.
As dermatologist Amy Kassouf, MD, tells the Cleveland Clinic: “Where on your face you have acne can help determine how to treat it. Most dermatologists don’t physically ‘map’ people, but we do recognize various zones of the face to help us figure out what’s going to work best for our patients.”
Here are some common areas where acne pops up, and potential causes:
Why do I have acne on my chin?
Chin and jawline acne is often caused (or exacerbated) by hormones. Teenage boys often experience chin and jawline breakouts during growth spurts, according to Dr. Kassouf, and teen girls and women can see spikes in breakouts during their menstrual cycles. Breakouts on your chin can also be caused by transferring bacteria from your hands. If you’re the type who tends to rest your chin in your hands, you just might be unknowingly contributing to breakouts.
Why do I have acne on my forehead?
It’s interesting to note that in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), your skin is seen as reflection of your body’s overall health. And in TCM, acne on your forehead is associated with issues related to your digestive system (liver, gallbladder or stomach). Breakouts on your forehead can also be triggered by over-washing your face. When you strip away too much of your skin’s natural sebum, it can respond by over-producing oil to compensate. You end up with a super-shiny forehead and, eventually, clogged pores. Lastly, your hair products could be responsible for causing pimples around your hairline. Hair products like wax, gel or pomade have thickening ingredients that can clog pores.
Why do I have acne on my nose?
Your nose has a high concentration of sebaceous glands, which are responsible for producing natural sebum (aka skin oil). This means your nose is one of the oiliest areas of your face, in addition to your forehead and chin. More oil means there’s a greater chance of oil and bacteria becoming trapped in your pores and causing breakouts.
Why do I have acne on my cheeks?
While acne on your cheeks can also be caused by hormones, there are several other lifestyle habits that might be contributing to pimples on your cheeks. First of all, do you tend to sleep on your side? Okay, and how long has it been since you washed your pillowcase? No judgement here! We know everyone’s to-do list is a mile long—we just want to point out that even though your pillowcase may look clean, it could be harboring bacteria that can contribute to acne. Next, do you ever chat on your cell phone without earbuds? If you do, you’re probably pressing your screen against your cheek—and your phone can also be a literal hotbed of bacteria. (This one is a quick fix! Keep alcohol wipes with you and swipe off your phone to keep it clean.)
How can I help prevent acne?
If you’re struggling with severe cystic acne, it’s best to see your dermatologist. If you have occasional breakouts, there are several ways to help prevent acne at home. First, keep your face clean, but don’t over-wash with harsh cleansers that strip your skin. That will just work against you by triggering more oil production. You can follow with a gentle exfoliating toner like Botanical Ketoacid Toner, which has encapsulated Salicylic Acid, an ingredient that’s able to gently penetrate pores and help dissolve dirt, oil and dead skin.
For stubborn clogged pores around your nose, DERMAPORE+ is a skin savior thanks to its ability to loosen pore-clogging gunk and extract it without any damaging picking or squeezing. Spot treatments with sulfur or benzoyl peroxide are another option, as well as pimple patches, which often contain a higher percentage of salicylic acid OR an ingredient called hydrocolloid, which helps draw out oil and gunk. Last? Try to manage your stress as much as you can. Stress triggers spikes in cortisol, which can contribute to acne.
