How to Treat Chin Acne, According to Dermatologists
Pimples don’t spare skin (they can be on your neck, back, and your butt), but mostly the really bad ones make a nice and cozy home on your chin and jawline. They hang around way longer than you’d like, carry a lot of inflammation, and are occasionally a bit painful. To add to the excitement (cue sarcasm), pimples on the chin can be particularly stubborn — they don’t always respond to a patch or spot treatment. But with the right treatment and a solid skincare routine, getting rid of chin acne and managing future breakouts is *very* doable.
More often than not, treating chin acne requires the tender love and care of a dermatologist (more on that in a moment). As such we have Dr. Zenovia Gregory tapped (opens in new tab)state-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Zenovia Hormonal Dermatology, and Dr. Kenneth Howe, board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Dermatology, to help us break down everything you can – and should – do if you’re looking to treat chin acne.
What is chin acne?
Basically, chin acne is acne (be it whiteheads, blackheads, or inflamed blemishes) on your chin — pretty self-explanatory. But the reason we dedicated an entire story to it is because it is sooooo common. The chin has tons of sebaceous glands (aka oil-producing glands), making it a very acne-prone area. “The hair follicles on our knees only have one sebum gland attached to each follicle, but on your chin you have almost 20 sebum glands attached to each follicle,” says Dr. Zenovia. “It’s this density that leads to pimples.”
It’s also possible that the bumps on your chin aren’t acne at all — they’re something else entirely. “Rosacea is common on the chin. It’s different from acne because it’s caused by broken blood vessels and inflammation,” says Dr. Zenovia. “It’s characterized by an acne-like appearance that looks like a rash and some isolated bumps.” Treating rosacea is different than treating jawline acne, so get a board-certified dermatologist to confirm you have the right diagnosis .
What causes chin acne?
While the high concentration of oil glands is the main culprit, chin acne is commonly linked to hormonal fluctuations in teenage and adult women. dr Howe explains that if you’re noticing angry, cystic pimples creeping up the lower third of your face in the week leading up to your menstrual cycle, you’re probably dealing with hormonal acne.
But that’s not it always the case; You may have chin acne that is out of sync with your menstrual cycle. “Not every chin acne is hormonal. I see a lot of athletes breaking out because of their face shields. This sweat and closure leads to irritation and inflammation, which causes acne,” he explains. The same logic applies to outbreaks caused by medical or fabric face masks, aka maskne, which have grown in popularity since the outbreak of COVID-19.
How to treat chin acne
“Cheen acne is no different from any other acne in that it is caused by the well-known trifecta: clogged pores that lead to bacterial overgrowth, which leads to inflammation. This entire process is stimulated by hormone fluctuations,” says Dr. Zenovia. “The goal is to address all of those factors.” Here we explain exactly how to treat jaw acne, from habits to avoid to the best skincare products.
Don’t lean on your chin
“The biggest bad habit to break is leaning on your chin — the classic ‘thinker’ pose where your chin is resting on your fist,” says Dr. Howe. “That kind of close contact and pressure pushes the hair follicles closer to the occlusion.” So do your best to keep your hands off your face. At the very least, make sure your hands are as clean as possible. Wash them often and make a conscious effort to disinfect them so you don’t introduce bacteria.
Brush your teeth before cleaning
It might feel more natural to wait to brush your teeth after You wash your face, but if you’re struggling with jawline acne, the Derms recommend reversing the order. Some ingredients in toothpaste (read: sodium lauryl sulfate) can make skin more prone to breakouts and cause irritation.
Avoid using too many spicy ingredients
While some active ingredients (read: benzoyl peroxide, adapalene) are useful in treating chin acne, the last thing you want to do is throw anything but the kitchen sink in your face — it’ll just irritate the area. “Avoid harsh ingredients and exfoliants,” advises Dr. Zenovia. “The chin is generally very sensitive and is close to the mouth, which is more sensitive.”
Try a benzoyl peroxide toner
Washing your face and removing every last bit of makeup should be a matter of course. When considering which facial tonic to buy at the store, Dr. Zenovia that one with benzoyl peroxide is best as it has antibacterial properties. While 10 percent is most effective, Dr. Howe a 5 percent formula for those with sensitive skin.
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dr Zenovia Hormonal Dermatology 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cleanser
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PanOxyl Creamy Wash 4% Benzoyl Peroxide Daily Control Deep Cleansing Wash for Acne
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Neutrogena Treatment of Stubborn Acne AM
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Glytone Acne BPO Cleanser
Incorporate a retinoid
While there’s a lot to unpack about retinol, we’re going to keep things at the highest level. In addition to their anti-aging and skin-lightening benefits, retinoids may help prevent acne from forming. “It’s a vitamin A-derived product that penetrates deep into the skin to prevent the formation of plugs, which is the first step in the development of acne,” says Dr. Howe. You can get a prescription formula from your dermatologist or buy adapalene gel over the counter.
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La Roche Posay adapalene gel
Differin Gel Adapalene Gel
Use an oil-free moisturizer
Since both of the above steps can contribute to dryness and irritation, it’s especially important to ensure your skin is properly hydrated with a moisturizer designed for acne-prone skin. dr Zenovia recommends reaching for an oil-free, non-comedogenic formula that will keep your skin hydrated without contributing to acne.
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SkinCeuticals Daily Moisturizer
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SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizing Cream
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Glo Skin Beauty Oil Free Moisturizer
See a dermatologist for oral medications
Mild acne can probably be treated at home with over-the-counter products from the drugstore or Sephora, but moderate, severe, or chronic acne needs the helping hand of a dermatologist. “It’s time to get to the skin if your chin keeps breaking out, if it’s been happening for more than two weeks in a row, or if the pimples are deep and inflamed,” says Dr. Howe.
If you’re dealing with hormonal acne specifically, an oral medication that blocks hormones is likely needed to keep things under control. Your doctor may prescribe birth control, oral antibiotics, a drug called spironolactone, or Accutane depending on your situation.
Get a cortisone shot
This will only be an option for cystic acne – it’s not an option for blackheads, whiteheads, or smaller papules and pustules. That being said, a cortisone shot is an easy way to shrink your cyst pimple overnight. “It’s a great way to flush out an inflamed, clogged hair follicle and reduce the inflammatory response right at the pimple,” says Dr. Zenovia. “The shot also helps prevent scarring and the development of purple and red discoloration,” adds Dr. Howe added.
While this is a great option, it’s important to make sure you’re going with a well-trained provider. If the cortisone is injected too deeply, the skin can “atrophy” and a dent remains. The dent will be temporary, but it’s easily avoidable.
Meet the experts
As a cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Howe known for his light touch. He believes that minor, earlier interventions allow patients to maintain a youthful appearance while preventing or slowing further aging. Beyond aesthetic dermatology, Dr. Howe works on a variety of medical skin conditions, with a particular focus on the early detection and treatment of skin cancer, and the diagnosis and treatment of hair loss and acne. When treating hair loss, Dr. Howe has had great success with PRP (platelet rich plasma) and microneedling. dr Howe is the author of two chapters in a popular dermatology textbook, a Photo Guide of Common Skin Disorders (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2003), as well as numerous medical articles in Dermatologic Surgery, Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, International Journal of Dermatology, and Dermapathology Cutis. dr Howe was a prominent panellist at the American Academy of Dermatology and has lectured before the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the American Society of Dermatopathology, the New York Academy of Medicine, and the Pediatric Dermatologic Society. He was also a member of the Advisory Board of LUBRIDERM®.
dr Zenovia, internationally recognized dermatologist and hormonal skin expert, is committed to researching and developing innovative methods to tackle leading skin issues from a holistic 360-degree perspective, including hormonal balance for healthier skin at every stage of life. With almost 15 years of extensive integrated experience in medical dermatology, surgical dermatology, Mohs microscopic surgery and aesthetic treatments, Dr. Zenovia is known for its “deeper than the skin” philosophy, which targets the root cause of symptoms. Her unique expertise in hormonal dermatology allows her to study the structure, function and physiology of the skin at the biochemical level to achieve maximum results. dr Zenovia is also the Founder and Chief Dermatologist of ZENA Medical in Newport Beach, CA, where she is highly sought after by her high-profile clientele for her natural, “unfinished” cosmetic artistry.