Forehead acne is a type of acne that causes breakouts on your forehead usually because of hormone changes, stress, or irritation from skin or hair products. Whether it’s an occasional or persistent breakouts, forehead acne can be frustrating and affect your self-confidence. Understanding what causes it and the treatment options available can help you regain your self-esteem and achieve clearer skin.

In this guide, we will discuss what forehead acne is, what causes it, and what you can do to prevent and treat forehead acne.

Forehead acne describes blemishes or breakouts that appear on your forehead. They can look like small solid red bumps called papules or be filled with pus called pustules.

Forehead acne is caused by hair follicles or pores on the forehead becoming blocked and inflamed. They can become clogged by an overproduction of naturally produced oil called sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells. The result can range from mild acne through to moderate and severe.

Although forehead acne is common in teenagers because of hormonal changes, adults can also experience it because of hormonal imbalances, stress, diet, or a reaction to skin and hair products.

Different types of forehead acne

Several different types of forehead acne exist, such as:

Comedonal acne

Comedonal acne is a mild form of acne that occurs when hair follicles become blocked with dead skin cells and oil. It usually appears as:

• blackheads – open comedone that turn black when the debris inside reacts with oxygen
• whiteheads – closed comedones that are white or flesh-coloured bumps

Inflammatory acne

This type of acne happens when pores become clogged and inflamed because of bacteria. Their activity causes red, swollen, and often painful pimples, papules, and pustules.

Nodular acne

A severe type of acne that causes painful, hard lumps to form deep under the skin. They can persist for several weeks and may need medical treatment to prevent scarring.

Several factors can contribute to the development of forehead acne. Understanding these causes can help you prevent and treat future outbreaks.

Excess oil production and clogged pores

The forehead is part of the T-zone, the area of the face that is known to produce more oil, also known as sebum. Your skin naturally produces sebum to stop it drying out. However, an overproduction of sebum alongside a build-up of dead skin cells can clog your pores and cause acne breakouts.

Hormonal fluctuations

Hormone changes during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause increased oil production and acne.

Hair care products

Some hair care products, like gels, oils, and leave-in conditioners, contain pore-clogging (comedogenic) ingredients. These can cause pomade acne or breakouts along the hairline and forehead.

Friction from headwear

Headwear such as hats, helmets, and headbands can cause friction and trap sweat, dirt, and oil, increasing the risk of acne breakouts along the hairline and forehead.

Stress

Stress can cause acne breakouts because when you are stressed your body produces cortisol, a stress hormone. Cortisol stimulates oil production in the sebaceous glands in the skin, causing clogged pores, inflammation, and acne.

Diet

Although the link between diet and acne is debated, some research suggests that foods that have a high glycaemic index (GI) or cause a rapid spike in blood sugar can contribute to acne breakouts.

Several treatments are available to help reduce the appearance of forehead acne and prevent future outbreaks. Treatments can range from over-the-counter products for mild to moderate acne to prescription-only medication for more severe outbreaks. The effectiveness of these treatments can be complemented with lifestyle changes and good skincare practices

Over-the-counter (OTC) products

Mild to moderate forehead acne can be treated with over-the-counter products, such as:

• topical retinol serum and moisturisers to help remove dead skin cells
• salicyclic acid cleansers or benzoyl peroxide gel (Acnecide) to unclog pores and reduce bacteria

These treatments can usually be bought over-the counter in most UK pharmacies without a prescription

Prescription medications

If you have severe forehead acne, a prescription-only medication may be more suitable for you. These can include topical treatments like creams and gels, oral medications such as antibiotics, or a combination of both.

At Superdrug Online Doctor, we offer a wide range of acne treatments, including:

• Acnecide 5% gel – topical benzoyl peroxide that’s applied once or twice daily to kill or stop the growth of acne causing bacteria
• Differin cream – a retinoid cream that contains the active ingredient adapalene which increases skin cell turnover to prevent acne outbreaks
• Finacea gel – contains the active ingredient azaleic acid that works by reducing the growth of acne causing bacteria and prevents pores becoming clogged – also available under the brand name Skinoren cream
• Treclin gel – combination of the antibiotic clindamycin and a retinoid, tretinoin, that’s used to treat facial acne
• clindamycin 1% + benzoyl peroxide 5% Gel – combination topical treatment that contains an antibiotic and benzoyl peroxide to kill the bacteria that causes acne and unclog pores
• doxycycline + Skinoren 20% cream – a combination of doxycycline oral capsules, a type of antibiotic, and Skinoren cream

If you are not sure which treatment you need or what type of skin condition you have, you can get a rapid diagnosis using our skin condition diagnosis photo service. Our doctors will review the photos you provide of your symptoms to give you a diagnosis within 24 hours.

Lifestyle changes and home remedies

Some simple lifestyle changes can help manage acne or complement any over-the-counter or prescription medications. You should try to:

• maintain a consistent skincare routine – cleanse your face twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, with a gentle, non-comedogenic (non-pore-blocking) cleanser to remove excess oil and dead skin cells
• avoid heavy or oil-based hair products – if you need to use hair products, choose light, water-based ones which are less likely to clog pores and cause acne outbreaks
• regularly wash hair and headwear – keeping hair and headwear clean will prevent the build-up of dirt and oils, so your pores do not become clogged and encourage the formation of spots
• avoid touching your face and forehead with your hands – each time you touch your face, you are introducing bacteria that can clog your pores, if you need to touch your face, wash your hands thoroughly first

You can take proactive steps to help prevent forehead acne by:

• cleansing your face, regularly - cleanse your face with mild cleanser and lukewarm water ot remove diret and excess oils on the skin
• choosing non-comedogenic products - use skincare products that will not block your pores
• managing stress - try relaxation techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, or yoga to lower cortisol levels
• following a balanced diet - eat a healthy diet that is rich in fruit, vegetables and wholegrains, and limit your intake of high GI foods
• reducing headwear friction - minimise the use of headwear that could trap dirt, or cause sweating or friction tot he forehead
• avoiding touching your face - touchign your face with your hands can transfer dirt and bacteria to your skin, increasing the risk of breakouts
• using clean pillowcases and towels - change your pillowcases and towels frequently to reduce bacteria and dirt build-up
• staying hydrated - drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help to flush out toxins and keep your skin hydrated
• reducing sun exposure - UV rays from the sun can irritate acne, so it is important to limit your exposure to the sun and wear sunscreen

Forehead acne is a common skin complaint that’s caused by hormone changes, excess oil production, hair products, and stress. However, there are effective acne treatments available to help manage the symptoms, including over-the-counter cleansers and topical creams as well as prescription medications for more severe outbreaks.

Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a consistent skincare routine and avoiding pore-clogging products are also beneficial. If you are struggling with persistent forehead acne, our skin condition diagnosis service can help identify the type of acne you have, so you can get the most effective treatment.

Why do I only get acne on my forehead?

Forehead acne is caused by the hair follicles or pores becoming blocked or clogged. Oil from your hair may travel down your forehead blocking pores and causing acne. If you have oily hair but not skin, that may explain why you only see acne on your forehead.

Is forehead acne related to gut health?

Emerging research suggests that people with acne have a less diverse gut microbiota which may impact which types of bacteria are present on your skin. There is also limited research that shows a diet low in sugar and saturated fat may have better outcomes for acne.

Are forehead bumps acne?

No, not all lumps and bumps on the forehead are acne. Some may be caused by fungal infections, allergic reactions, or clogged sweat glands. However, if you have a breakout on your forehead there is a high chance it could be a sign of acne. If you’re not sure, you can get a diagnosis using our skin condition diagnosis service.

Can forehead acne cause headaches?

Acne itself does not cause headaches, but inflamed or nodular acne can be painful and feel like pressure on the forehead, similar to a headache.

Can dandruff cause forehead acne?

Yes, dandruff can contribute to forehead acne because the flakes of dry skin can clog pores and increase inflammation.

Why is forehead acne itchy?

Forehead acne can be itchy because of inflammation caused by your body’s immune system reacting to clogged pores and bacteria.