What Causes Cheek Acne? Often, U-zone or cheek acne is caused by the buildup of dirt, oil, and debris that clogs pores over time. While the T-zone—the area that includes the forehead, nose, and all the way down to the chin—is generally prone to oil, cheeks typically tend to be more dry.
Toothpaste will irritate the skin, and the pimple will probably eventually disappear along with the irritation, but toothpaste is in no way a primary treatment for acne. Over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid work great to clear acne -- and help prevent it, as well.
Sleep on a clean pillowcase
Add some possible night drool (eek!) and your pillowcase becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Change the cover at least once a week, more if you continue waking up to breakouts, said Dr. Julie Russak, a New York-based dermatologist.Some studies indicate that infected gums or teeth can actually lead to acne. This is because such infections increase the quantity of propionibacterium, the bacteria most often found in pimples. It often causes skin inflammation and sometimes acne.
The Cause:
Waking up with a surprise pimple may cause you to be suspicious of your pillowcase—and for good reason. Like your phone, your pillowcase may be the cause of acne mechanica, which is any type of acne that occurs as a result of anything touching your face and causing clogged pores.What causes acne? Acne occurs when the pores of your skin become blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria. Each pore of your skin is the opening to a follicle. The follicle is made up of a hair and a sebaceous (oil) gland.
“Dirty hair that is loaded with oils, hair products, and grime over the course of the average day can cause an acne flare for those who are prone to break outs,” she explains. “It is better to wash your hair before bed if you are noticing breakouts that occur on the temples, forehead and sides of your cheeks.
Shampoos, conditioners, and styling products can cause whiteheads and other types of acne in these areas. The bumps can be so subtle that you can feel but not see them. Even if you've never had acne, hair care products can cause breakouts. This is so common that there's actually a medical name for it—acne cosmetica.
Cosmetic dermatologist Dr Rachael Eckel says: 'As they are rinsed out in the shower, oily, rich shampoos and conditioners drip over the forehead, shoulders and back, causing acne. 'They can also cause folliculitis, the itchy, acne-like outbreak of spots, on the upper back.
For dry skin, avoid foaming and exfoliating cleansers. For oily skin, use light, water-based products. For combination skin, avoid heavy and foaming cleansers. If you have acne-prone skin, you may already be using an acne face wash that contains salicylic acid or another acne-fighting ingredient.
Colbert suggests trying some shampoos that are targeted specifically to help you stay breakout-free. "For notably acne-prone or oily skin, use a salicylic acid-based shampoo, like Neutrogena T-Sal, once or twice weekly to help balance oils on the face and scalp. It will help reduce hairline acne."
Feed your skin.
Most experts agree that certain foods, like chocolate, don't cause pimples. Still, it makes sense to avoid greasy food and junk food and add more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your diet. Dairy products and foods high in processed sugar may trigger acne."Cystic acne which usually occurs in the chin and jaw areas is the most common place to get acne — especially in adults," she says. "The reason for this is often due to the hormonal shifts and imbalances in the body. Hormones stimulate oil production, which leads to the growth of bacteria getting trapped in the pore.
Pimple Treatment
Just dab a small amount of sanitizer on the bump with a cotton swab. The alcohol helps dry up the pimple and reduce itching and redness. Just be sure to check with your doctor or dermatologist first if acne is a big problem for you or you are using another topical acne medication.Parabens are approved by the FDA to be used in everything from shampoos to hair dyes, and although they may not necessarily aggravate your acne directly, there's a concern that they can mimic estrogen in the body, which could influence your hormones and contribute to acne.
The rumor mill might have you believing that dabbing some regular old toothpaste on your zit will help it clear up overnight. But, while it's true that several ingredients found in toothpaste are drying to skin and might help shrink your pimple, this home remedy for breakouts isn't worth the risk.
Although Vaseline® Healing Jelly doesn't directly treat acne, its protective formula means it could help your skin recover faster from a breakout. By protecting your skin and keeping bacteria out, petroleum jelly can help to speed up recovery and improve the overall appearance of the skin.
Acne around the mouth might develop from recurring pressure on the skin near the mouth, such as from daily cell phone use or a musical instrument. Cosmetics or other facial products, like toothpaste, lip balm, or shaving cream, might also be to blame. Hormones and genetics also play a role.
Toothpaste on pimples may
Many toothpaste formulas once contained a chemical called triclosan that could work to kill the bacteria that causes and worsens breakouts. Some ingredients commonly found in toothpaste, such as baking soda, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide, are known to be drying, which could help shrink a zit.What else can I do to clear hormonal acne?
- Wash your face in the morning and again in the evening.
- Apply no more than a pea-size amount of any acne product. Applying too much can dry out your skin and increase irritation.
- Wear sunscreen every day.
- Use only noncomedogenic products to reduce your risk of clogged pores.
The Culprit: Your Pesky Nail-Biting Habit
When you're bringing your hands to your mouth to chew on your nail beds, the jagged, chewed fingernails end up pushing the bacteria and dirt even deeper into the sensitive mucous membranes on your face. This clogs pores and causes breakouts along your mouth and chin.While they won't prevent acne from occurring, these quick fixes can help banish individual blemishes when you need to heal that pimple fast.
- Dab on an Over-the-Counter Acne Spot Treatment. KidStock / Blend Images / Getty Images.
- Apply a Sulfur Mask.
- Ice It Down.
- Get an Cortisone Injection.
- Stop Breakouts Before They Start.
Treatments
- Wash the area with a mild detergent or one that contains salicylic acid.
- Apply an ice pack to the area for about 5 minutes, to help reduce redness.
- Apply a cream or ointment with benzoyl peroxide.
- Avoid picking at the pimples or trying to pop them.
