What Causes Pesky Chin Acne?

What is it and Why do you get chin acne?

Chin acne in general is very common for people of all ages. However, did you know that the hair follicles found on your chin contain nearly 20 sebaceous glands? In comparison, your knee only HAS ONE. Having that many sebaceous glands, or the glands that produce the oil that naturally moisturize your face, makes that area of your face prone to acne breakouts just because of their sheer  density on that area.

What causes chin acne?

Hormones and irritation are the main causes. For hormones, women who are about to enter or are in their menstrual cycle, when their hormones are fluctuating, are a lot more prone to breakouts of pimples around their chin. Irritation is also a major culprit in general. The upward trend of mask usage post-COVID has led to the use of the term “maskne” where areas of the face where the mask sits (like around the chin area) end up breaking out in pimples. Sleeping mostly on one side can also contribute to chin acne. Any type of activity that results in the blockage of the MANY sebaceous glands found around your chin can potentially cause pimples to appear.

So how can it be treated?

Dermatologists treat it the same way as any other type of acne. They determine the cause to be clogged pores, which leads to a buildup of bad bacteria, and results in the skin’s inflammatory response – aka pimples. They will be able to recommend creams and other forms of treatment to help combat this issue. You can also do things at home differently to reduce the chances of getting chin acne. These include keeping your hands off your face, and washing your hands as much as possible. Washing your face (including your chin) regularly with a mild and gentle cleanser will also help with this issue, along with using skincare products that soothe inflammation. However, in terms of skincare products, avoid using those that contain harsh ingredients like benzoyl peroxide.