You know how those annoying bumps settle only on certain parts of the face? We’re here to talk about that. To be more specific, we want to talk about forehead bumps. Since that part of the face is close to our hairline, it has a lot to do with our scalp health along with facial skin health. Let’s talk all about how they occur, how to prevent and how to treat them!
What are forehead pimples?
Forehead pimples are nothing but clogged pores on your forehead. Forehead generally tends to be oily which invites pathogens, dirt, and dead skin to stick on the skin and clog your pores. It can also be because of hair styling products or oily scalp that slip to the forehead and clogs the pores. But that’s not it, forehead pores clog due to multiple reasons related to hygiene habits, scalp health, medical condition, external stressors, etc.
What are the causes of forehead bumps?
Forehead bumps are caused due to multiple reasons from medicines to skin conditions to scalp health and hygiene. Some of the common causes of forehead bumps are as follows-
1. Poor cleansing
Often makeup sits in our pores even after using our face wash to cleanse the face. This means that those makeup particles may be oil-soluble and hence to get rid of all the makeup, sunscreen, dirt, sweat, the oil you will need an oil-based cleanser. Follow it with a water-based cleanser.
2. Hairstyling products
Building hair products in your hair means the products may slide down to your forehead too. This will clog the pores and lead to small zits which will then go into a full-blown pustule if the bacterial growth flairs up. It’s always a good idea to be thoughtful of putting styling products.
3. Headgears
If you use headgears while going for a run, walk, jog or gymming and then do not put them to wash every day then most likely you’re going to land with forehead bumps due to the sweat being trapped between the skin and headgear. This trapped sweat along with heat disrupts the skin microbiome and leads to the overgrowth of bacteria and overproduction of oil. A perfect recipe to mess the pores!
Learn more about dos’ and don’ts while working out here.
4. Oily Scalp and dandruff
If you have a flaky scalp then the flakes can settle on the forehead. These flakes contain bacteria that will settle on the forehead and clog with pores with overgrowth. An oily scalp can also lead to the running of the bacteria on your forehead easily. Let’s not forget that with that oil running from the oily scalp, it may also have dead skin cells, sweat, dirt, etc.
Learn more about tips on getting rid of dandruff here.
5. Fungal infection
Fungal infection can occur more commonly on the scalp that blocks the hair follicles. This fungal growth can then extend to the forehead. If you have fungal acne on the forehead then it will be more itchy and inflamed than the usual whiteheads and small pustules. To treat them, it is best to visit a dermatologist.
Learn more about fungal acne here.
6. Rosacea
This is a skin condition which mainly affects facial skin and causes redness and inflammation around the nose, cheeks, forehead, or chin. If you have bumps on your forehead due to Rosacea then it will have visible blood vessels and inflammation that can flare up further. To treat Rosacea, you need medical attention. To trust a dermatologist with Rosacea is the best way to treat those bumps.
Learn more about Rosacea here.
What are the ingredients with which you can treat forehead bumps?
As we saw the causes, it is obvious that treating forehead bumps due to poor scalp health, poor hygiene, or external stressors needs exfoliation, moisturisation, and soothing. Here are some of the ingredients that can help you achieve so-
1. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that is oil soluble and hence penetrates deep within the skin. It then terminates the overproduction of oil, bacterial growth, dirt, sweat and everything that is clogging your pores. It is magical for all skin types who are prone to acne. Salicylic acid also works well to just glow up your skin by exfoliating dead skin. It should be started with a lower concentration since it is an exfoliant.
Learn more about Salicylic acid here.
Sublime recommends Neemli Naturals Deep Clean Concentrate that has 2% Salicylic acid which is great for beginners to help them unclog pores and eliminate those bumps.
2. Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that is water-soluble and hence can penetrate a few layers of the skin. It exfoliates your skin and acts as a humectant. Glycolic acid can effectively take off all the gunk and should be started with a lower concentration. Since it is a humectant too, it helps to draw moisture to your skin.
Learn more about Glycolic acid here.
Sublime recommends Dr. Sheth's Gulab & Glycolic Toner. It balances the skin’s pH and also helps to exfoliate gently. Furthermore, it has Centella Asiatica and Aloe Vera to heal and soothe your skin. The best mix for forehead bumps!
3. Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a star ingredient when it comes to moisturising and strengthening your skin barrier. It soothes your skin and hence even helps in reducing marks. Since it has a moisturising and oil-producing balancing effect on the skin, it helps to treat forehead bumps and even prevents them from occurring.
Learn more about Niacinamide here.
Sublime recommends Suganda 5% Niacinamide Serum. Along with Niacinamide, it also has Panthenol which helps to nourish the skin.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a soothing ingredient and also helps to prevent water loss from the surface of the skin. Forehead bumps mean that there is inflammation and lack of moisture that is causing overproduction of oil. Aloe Vera can instantly calm the skin which is the first step toward healing the skin.
Learn more about Aloe Vera here.
Sublime recommends Arata Aloe Vera Face Gel. It has 80% pure Aloe extract along with Witch Hazel and Vitamin C to regenerate cell growth.
What are the ways to prevent forehead bumps?
To prevent forehead bumps, it is important to focus on hygiene and scalp health. Here are some ways to do the same-
1. Washing hair on time
Don’t wait for your hair to be greasy. Don’t wait to wash your hair only a day before the big event. If you truly want healthy hair and forehead then you must keep your scalp clean. A gap of three days between hair wash is good to avoid overwashing and under washing. If you need to extend it by a day then we recommend using a dry shampoo that has Charcoal in it to absorb the dirt and excess oil.
Sublime recommends Flawsome Dense Intense Exfoliating & Deep Cleansing Hair Mask. Along with a gentle shampoo, one can use this hair mask to exfoliate the scalp and ensure good hair health.
2. Double cleansing
Double cleansing is a great technique to ensure that you’re taking off everything. Sunscreen, primer, foundation and many other makeup items are harder to wash off and we can’t even get started with waterproof mascara and liner. Double cleansing is a method wherein you first use an oil-based cleanser to remove such stubborn items and then go in with a water-based or gel-based cleanser to wash off the rest. We recommend double cleansing every day if you have an active lifestyle since it sure helps you prevent bumps all over your face leaving no chance for the pathogens to grow!
Learn more about double cleansing here.
Sublime recommends Suganda Double Cleansion Combo. This duo ensure that you take the last bit of the dirt off your skin!
3. Moisturiser
Moisturiser acts as a barrier to your skin and external stressors. Moisture also helps to keep the pores in check. Pores need to balance sweat and oil production and overproduction of either of them can lead to clogging of the pores. Moisturiser can balance the oil production along with strengthening the skin barrier that can stop pathogens, dirt, and pollution from clogging your pores.
Learn more about moisturisers and which ones will work for you here.
Sublime recommends SetuVeda Clear Gel Oil-Free Moisturiser. This is a non-sticky gel moisturiser that can suit all skin types. It has Aloe Vera and Chlorophyll to brighten and tighten your skin.
4. Exfoliate
Exfoliation can subtract the dirt, pollutants, and pathogens from clogging your pores. There are physical and chemical exfoliants. Chemical exfoliants like AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy Acid) will not just eliminate the dead skin and gunk off your skin but also act as a humectant which draws moisture to the skin. Another chemical exfoliants are BHA (beta-Hydroxy Acid) which is great for oily skin type since BHA is oil soluble and can penetrate deep within your skin to get rid of the gunk.
Learn more about chemical exfoliation for beginners here.
Sublime recommends Daughter Earth AHA BHA PHA Exfoliating Cleanser. This is a gentle cleanser that can suit even sensitive and acne-prone skin. Perfect to exfoliate as a beginner!
Keynotes
Forehead bumps are more common since it is common to have an oily T-zone. It also depends on scalp health and facial hygiene. To treat forehead bumps all you need is to focus on exfoliation, soothing, and moisturisation. However, if the cause of the bumps is due to skin condition or fungal infection then you might have to take a different route of treatment under a dermatologist’s guidance.
- Divya Salvi
