Forehead breakouts are common and usually due to a mix of oil production, skin cell buildup, and irritation. Several factors can contribute, including hormones, stress, hair and skincare products, friction from headwear, and hygiene habits. Here’s a practical approach to sort out causes and start improving things. What might be causing yours

• Excess oil and clogged pores: The forehead is part of the T-zone and tends to produce more oil, which can mix with dead skin cells to clog pores and trigger pimples.

• Hair and hair products: Oils and styling products can transfer to the forehead and clog pores or irritate skin. Pomade or heavy gels are common culprits.

• Friction and irritation: Hats, helmets, headbands, or frequent touching of the forehead can irritate skin and worsen breakouts.

• Hormones and stress: Hormonal changes and stress can increase oil production or inflammation, contributing to forehead acne.

• Skincare and cosmetics: Irritation from skincare or makeup applied to the forehead can provoke breakouts or worsen existing ones.

What you can do now

• Gentle cleansing: Use a mild cleanser twice daily. Avoid scrubbing hard; gentler routines help reduce irritation and pore clogging.

• Targeted treatments: Over-the-counter products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can help with mild forehead acne. For persistent or severe cases, a clinician may suggest prescription options (e.g., topical retinoids).

• Manage hair products: If your hair is often oily or you use heavy products, consider lighter formulations or washing hair and forehead more frequently to reduce transfer.

• Minimize friction: Reduce wearing tight headgear or switch to breathable fabrics; ensure headwear is clean and dry.

• Avoid picking: Picking or squeezing pimples can worsen inflammation and lead to scarring.

• Assess cosmetics: If new makeup or skincare products were recently started, consider pausing them to see if breakouts improve.

When to see a clinician

• If breakouts persist beyond 6–8 weeks despite consistent OTC care.
• If you notice large, painful cysts, pus-filled lesions, or signs of infection.
• If you have other symptoms (e.g., widespread acne, or acne around the jawline linked to hormonal changes) or you’re on medications that may affect skin.

Note on context

• Acne on the forehead often reflects similar processes as acne elsewhere on the face, but factors like hair product use and headwear can disproportionately affect this area.

If you’d like, share any specifics (recent product changes, use of hats/headwear, stress levels, skin type, or how long the issue has been present). That will help tailor a simple, step-by-step plan.