Treating Breakouts at the Hairline
Recommended Products for Hairline Breakouts
What Paula's Choice Customers Are Saying
I've been fighting adult acne for years. I've finally found Paula's 2% BHA Liquid, a product that helps. Thanks so much! -Jennifer
Common Causes of Hairline Breakouts
The hair-care products you use can be a cause of why you are breaking out wherever your hair comes in contact with your skin: back, neck, chest, or hairline. This includes styling products, shampoos and conditioners.
Ingredients in shampoos and conditioners meant to make hair feel soft and healthy aren't the best for skin. Emollients, proteins, quaterniums, acrylates, and thickening agents in shampoos and conditioners are designed to stick to hair, which means they can also "stick" to skin, too, and potentially clog pores. What to do?
- In the shower, shampoo and condition your hair first and rinse well. Then follow with your gentle, well-formulated body and face cleanser to be sure you get everything off your skin.
- Pay attention to your neck and hairline.
- It also helps to use only the amount of conditioner you need. Excess conditioner doesn't help your hair or skin.
Styling products can be a factor for bringing on breakouts around the hairline—hairspray, gels, lotions, and waxes can easily get onto skin if you wear bangs or your hairstyle causes your hair to rub against your face during the day. The ingredients in styling products can clog pores and irritate skin. What to do?
- Be careful how you apply styling products by avoiding the skin around your face.
- Avoid putting styling products on the length of your hair that touches your face.
- Silicone serums aren't a problem for skin so they can be used with abandon.
Treating Acne at the Hairline
Whether or not you are careful with how you shampoo, condition, or style your hair you can still have breakouts at the hairline. As with blemishes on any part of your body, you need to use a well-formulated, gentle liquid cleanser (no bar cleansers—the ingredients that put bar cleansers in their bar form can clog pores!), BHA exfoliant, and benzoyl peroxide solution. When these products are used on a daily basis at the hairline, it will make a huge difference.