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Image: PeopleImages / Getty ImagesDealing with pimples can be tough, but jawline acne often stands out as particularly stubborn. This type of acne can manifest as a cluster of inflamed red spots along your chin and jaw or as large, painful bumps. However, the good news is that jawline acne is often easier to pinpoint in terms of its cause.
With advice from skincare specialists, we’ve highlighted the most frequent triggers of jawline acne so you can return to clearer skin.
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1. Hormonal Shifts
- What It Looks Like: Painful, deep cysts along the jawline and chin that can linger for a while
Hormonal acne typically appears along the jawline, triggered by increased oil production. This excess oil combines with dead skin cells and bacteria, leading to cystic acne.
As Dr. Danilo C Del Campo, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, notes, “This is commonly seen in women during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, even stress fluctuations can lead to these changes.”
How to Manage It
Addressing hormonal acne may require a tailored combination of treatments. Dr. Del Campo suggests that retinoids can help keep pores from becoming clogged. Women may also benefit from hormone-regulating treatments, such as certain birth control pills or spironolactone. “A customized treatment plan from a board-certified dermatologist is crucial, as they can also address any underlying hormonal concerns,” Dr. Del Campo advises.
2. Friction/Chafing
- What It Looks Like: A mixture of inflamed and non-inflamed blemishes, including pustules and blackheads, in areas where friction occurs
Continuous friction and rubbing can lead to acne along the jawline. This is why “maskne” happens, and breakouts may also occur from wearing chin straps or helmets, having a beard, rubbing your phone against your face, or anything else that causes friction in this area. Known as acne mechanica, this friction damages your skin’s natural protective barrier.
How to Address It
Start by reducing the source of physical irritation. Next, ensure that anything coming into contact with your skin is thoroughly cleaned, recommends Merry Thornton, PA-C, founder of Element Medical Aesthetics in New Canaan, Conn. She also suggests, “You can use a product with salicylic acid to help break down sebum in the pores.”
3. Your Nutrition
- What It Looks Like: Deep, cyst-like acne lesions that may not surface to the skin's surface
Certain lifestyle factors, including your diet, may contribute to acne flare-ups.
“Research shows that diets rich in foods with a high glycemic index, such as white bread, white rice, and sugary drinks, lead to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels,” explains Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. “This blood sugar spike can trigger a hormonal reaction that promotes sebum production and contributes to acne formation.”
How to Address It
Dr. Camp suggests adjusting your diet to cut down on high glycemic index foods. He also advises increasing the consumption of low glycemic index foods such as broccoli, apples, peanuts, and chickpeas. “This may help reduce the chances of developing new acne,” he says.
4. Makeup & Skincare Products
- What It Looks Like: Minor blemishes, such as blackheads, whiteheads, or small red spots
“Certain cosmetic and skincare products contain ingredients that can clog pores and lead to acne,” explains Dr. Del Campo. “The jawline is particularly vulnerable, as these products tend to accumulate or be applied more densely in that area.”
How to Address It
The best way to treat jawline acne caused by skincare products is to make adjustments to what you're using. This can be challenging, but eliminating the product(s) causing the issue can make a significant difference. Dr. Del Campo suggests using products labeled as 'non-comedogenic' or oil-free. Additionally, testing products before applying them fully can help.
5. Inadequate Cleansing Technique
- What It Looks Like: Pores that are clogged and large pimples appearing on or just below the jawline
Similarly, leaving skincare products on your skin overnight can result in clogged pores and breakouts. When washing your face, we often focus on the cheeks, nose, and forehead, but forget to cleanse the jawline and neck area as well.
How to Manage It
Extend your face washing time to one or two minutes, making sure to cleanse your jawline and neck thoroughly. Also, ensure you rinse the cleanser off properly from these areas. Double cleansing or gently wiping a cotton pad soaked in micellar water along this region can ensure a deeper clean. If any product residue appears on the cotton pad or washcloth after drying, it’s a sign that your cleaning routine needs improvement.
6. Progesterone-Based Birth Control
- What It Looks Like: Inflammatory acne that is often deeper and more painful.
Dr. Camp mentions that progesterone-based birth control, such as an IUD, can contribute to jawline acne, as well as acne along the lower part of your face, due to the hormonal surge.
How to Address It
Dr. Camp advises discussing any acne concerns with your provider before starting a new form of birth control. “If acne worsens after beginning a new contraception method, consulting a board-certified dermatologist to create a tailored treatment plan is a good idea,” he says.
