Acne Around The Mouth: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Medically reviewed by
Dr. IkejiLast reviewed: 24 Mar 2025
Acne is a common skin condition caused by hair follicles or pores becoming clogged with oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and bacteria. It can affect any area of the body, including the face.
Acne around the mouth can be caused by hormones, genetics, and lifestyle factors, including frequently touching your face. It is a common condition and can look like small, red, inflamed bumps or pus-filled pimples (pustules). Although it can be frustrating, you can effectively treat and manage acne around the mouth.
In this guide, we discuss what acne around the mouth looks like, what causes it, the treatments available for it, and how you can prevent future outbreaks.
Types of acne around the mouth
Acne around the mouth, sometimes called ‘perioral acne’, typically appears as small, inflamed spots or pus-filled pimples clustered around the lip line which can extend out to the chin and cheeks. Sometimes, these lesions can be itchy or you may notice a burning sensation.
Depending on the severity of the acne around the mouth, several types of lesions can appear, including:
- whiteheads – small, closed bumps with a white centre, usually not very inflamed
- blackheads – open comedones with a dark plug visible on the skin surface
- papules – small, red, raised bumps that are tender and inflamed
- pustules – papules with a visible pus-filled head, often referred to as pimples
- nodules – large, hard, painful bumps deep within the skin
- cysts – deep, inflamed lesions that can be painful and potentially leave scarring
However, spots around the mouth can also be mistaken for perioral dermatitis, a similar-looking condition that’s triggered by topical steroid use. It causes inflamed bumps to appear around the skin, resembling a rash, and may make the skin dry, scaly, itchy, or cause burning, just like acne.
What causes acne around the mouth?
Acne around the mouth forms like other types of acne. Usually, the sebaceous glands that are connected to hair follicles produce oil called sebum that keeps skin and hair moisturised.
When the hair follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin cells, it can cause acne lesions. Bacteria can also grow within the pores causing spots.
Several factors can increase the risk of acne flare-ups around the mouth. These include:
Hormonal fluctuations
Hormonal imbalances are a significant trigger for acne, especially around the lower part of the face. Male hormones (androgens), like testosterone, can increase sebum production, contributing to clogged pores and breakouts.
Hormonal acne is common in women and can be caused by:
- puberty
- menstrual cycle
- switching or starting the contraceptive pill
- pregnancy
- polycystic ovary syndrome
Cosmetics and skincare products
Some skincare and cosmetic products contribute to acne around the mouth by clogging pores and irritating the skin. These are called comedogenic products and include:
- cocoa butter
- coconut butter
- olive oil
These ingredients are found in many skin care products like moisturisers, oils, balms, foundations, and concealers.
Toothpaste also blocks pores and can irritate the skin, making acne worse. So, if like many other people, you’ve tried using toothpaste to treat acne breakouts, it could actually be making it worse. It may also help to make sure you’ve washed all the toothpaste from around your mouth after you’re done brushing your teeth.
Dietary factors
Diet is critical for health and wellbeing, and although it is not the sole cause of acne, there are certain foods that can trigger or exacerbate breakouts, including:
- dairy products, such as milk and other dairy-based foods, can influence hormone levels, increase acne severity, and promote breakouts
- high glycaemic foods or those high in sugar and carbohydrates can cause insulin levels to rise rapidly which may increase sebum production
- food sensitivities or allergies can cause acne flare-ups in some people, so it is important to be aware of any sensitivities or intolerances you may have
Lifestyle habits
Daily habits can add to the risk of developing acne around the mouth, such as:
- not changing bedding, particularly your pillowcases, regularly
- regularly touching your face
- using dirty make-up brushes
- scrubbing your face or around the mouth too hard
- not washing after exercise or activities that make you sweat
- picking or popping spots
- stress, which can increase cortisol levels, stimulate oil production, and increase inflammation
Maskne (mask-induced acne)
Wearing a mask regularly or for prolonged periods may lead to acne outbreaks around the mouth because of:
- moisture build up inside the mask, creating optimal conditions for bacteria to grow
- friction from movement causing irritation
- irritation caused by scratching your face or mouth while the mask is still in place
- synthetic fabrics not being breathable or irritating the skin
Face masks are sometimes needed to protect your and others' health. It’s important to note that masks can cause skin changes in some people, but not all. The risk can increase with improper usage, such as:
- using a poor-quality face mask
- not washing your face regularly (it’s best to cleanse your face as soon as you get home or to your destination if you’ve been wearing one)
- not changing your face mask often enough – single-use face masks should be discarded after one use
- not storing them properly (it’s best to store them in a clean, dedicated bag, separate from other items, that can also be washed regularly)
You can also buy face masks that are machine washable, and we recommend washing them after each use if possible, especially if you notice skin changes after using them.
Medications and medical conditions
Certain medications and health conditions can cause acne as a side effect.
Medications that may increase your risk of acne include:
- anti-epileptics
- corticosteroids
- lithium
- progesterone-only contraceptive pills
Medical conditions that may increase your risk of acne include:
- diabetes
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- Cushing syndrome
- irregular periods
How to treat acne around the mouth
Several treatment options are available for acne around the mouth, ranging from over-the-counter and prescription treatments to professional and medical treatments.
Prescription treatments
For more severe cases of acne, prescription acne treatments may be more suitable because they contain more potent active ingredients.
Some of the prescription-only treatments for acne around the mouth include:
Topical retinoids
These vitamin A derivatives speed up cell turnover and unblock pores. They also help to remove comedones and prevent new ones from forming.
Common examples include tretinoin and adapalene, such as Differin gel or Differin cream. Compared to isotretinoin, adapalene gel was better tolerated and resulted in fewer inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts.
Topical retinoids can cause side effects, including:
- skin irritation
- increased sensitivity to UV light
- eye irritation
They should be avoided in pregnancy, so you must let your doctor know if you’re pregnant, think you might be, or are trying for a baby.
Topical antibiotics
For less severe acne, topical antibiotics such as clindamycin may be prescribed. These help to kill the bacteria that may be infecting blocked pores. You’ll usually need to apply them once or twice a day for 6 to 8 weeks. Side effects are uncommon, but include:
- skin irritation
- burning or redness of the skin
- peeling skin
Oral antibiotics
Antibiotic tablets are usually taken in combination with a topical treatment. For example:
- doxycycline + Skinoren 20% cream
- doxycycline 100mg + Epiduo gel 0.1%
- lymecycline 408mg + Skinoren 20% cream
- lymecycline 408mg capsules + Epiduo gel 0.1%
- oxytetracycline and Epiduo
The antibiotics prescribed are usually tetracyclines and it can take up to 6 weeks for you to notice an improvement in your symptoms.
Oral antibiotics can cause side effects, such as:
- feeling sick (nausea)
- stomach pain
- diarrhoea
- headaches
Hormonal options
Hormone therapy may be prescribed if hormonal imbalances are causing the acne around your mouth. For example, if you have high levels of androgens commonly associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, you may be prescribed spironolactone. This can improve acne appearance in 82% of people after 24 weeks.
The combined oral contraceptive pill, particularly those containing ethinylestradiol and specific synthetic progesterones, including levonorgestrel, norgestimate, and drospirenone, may be prescribed to effectively manage hormonal acne in women.
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments
If the acne around your mouth is mild, over-the-counter treatments may be enough to help improve the appearance.
Some of the over-the-counter treatments available include:
- benzoyl peroxide – commonly used to manage acne outbreaks and is applied directly to the skin to kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce sebum production, examples include Acnecide
- salicylic acid – another common over-the-counter acne treatment that is found in cleansers and other cleansing products, it works by gently exfoliating the skin and penetrating the pores to prevent blockages
- topical retinoids – derived from vitamin A and promote cell turnover to stop pores becoming blocked and preventing acne lesions from developing (cannot be used in pregnancy)
- alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) – naturally occur in plant and animal products and can increase cell turnover to help remove the top layer of skin and improve acne appearance
- tea tree oil – commonly used to manage acne breakouts because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties
Professional treatments
Cortisone or steroid injections are available, particularly if you have large cyst-like acne lesions. During the procedure, steroids are injected into the cyst to reduce inflammation and reduce its size.
Non-medication treatments available for acne, include:
- chemical peels – a chemical solution applied to the skin to remove dead skin cells and promote the growth of new ones
- light therapy (LED) – blue light therapy is the most commonly used light therapy option for acne around the mouth as it targets the bacteria responsible for causing breakouts and is effective for mild to moderate inflammatory lesions
- extraction – a dermatologist uses a special tool called a comedone extractor to physically remove comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) from the skin
Preventing acne around the mouth
There are several ways that you can prevent or reduce the severity of acne around the mouth, from adopting a good skincare regime to making healthy lifestyle changes.
Stick to a skincare routine
Sticking to a good daily skincare routine that promotes the use of gentle, non-comedogenic (non-pore-blocking) products can help prevent acne. You should also consider:
- avoiding harsh scrubbing and exfoliating techniques
- moisturising your skin with non-comedogenic skincare products and moisturisers
- wearing sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage
Avoid irritants
Avoid anything that could irritate your face, including:
- comedogenic skincare products
- fragrances
- irritating lip balm and lipstick
If you have to wear a mask, changing it regularly can be helpful.
Adjust your diet
Diet is critical for avoiding acne outbreaks. It is important to:
- eat a balanced healthy diet that includes a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains
- limit dairy, sugar, and processed foods
- stay hydrated
- limit or avoid spicy, greasy, or dairy products that can trigger outbreaks
Lifestyle changes
Some of the lifestyle changes you can make to reduce the risk of acne around your mouth include:
- keeping stress to a minimum and practising relaxation techniques
- getting a good night’s sleep by adopting a good routine, such as going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time every morning
- changing your bedding regularly
- regularly exercising
- avoiding touching your face or picking or popping spots
- quitting smoking
- regularly changing masks and wearing breathable materials
- cleaning anything that touches your face regularly, like mobile phones and pillowcases
Summary
Acne around the mouth is common but it is treatable with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.
Because acne around the mouth can be mistaken for other conditions, such as perioral dermatitis, you can use our photo skin condition diagnosis service for an accurate diagnosis from our doctors.
Following an accurate diagnosis, Superdrug Online Doctor can provide several acne treatments suitable for treating acne around the mouth without the need for a face-to-face appointment.
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