Acne on Your Neck? Your Haircare Routine Might Be to Blame

Is acne on your neck a recurring issue? You might want to revisit your haircare routine. The products you use, the order in which you apply them, and even what you do after matter. All these could be causing breakouts in unlikely places, like your back, chest, and neck. Find out how they can trigger pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads.

Like skincare products, your shampoos, conditioners, waxes, and gels can contain comedogenic ingredients. These can slide down your face, neck, and back, clogging pores and causing breakouts. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), this phenomenon is called acne cosmetica, and it can happen to anyone. However, those with acne-prone skin are the most susceptible.

Breakouts caused by shampoo and other haircare products are usually inflammatory, red, and itchy. You can also get blackheads and whiteheads. Oil-based products with ingredients like cocoa butter or shea butter are common culprits. Other acne-causing ingredients include jojoba oil, silicones, petroleum, and detergents. You can tell if hair products are causing acne on your neck if you also have bumps on your scalp, shoulders, and back.

To avoid this, steer clear of products that can cause buildup, at least until you're free of acne. Cleanse your hair and scalp thoroughly if you use styling gels and oils. These can transfer onto your pillows and wreak even more havoc on your skin. Leave-in products also contain oils (it’s what makes hair soft and shiny!). Unfortunately, some can clog your pores, especially when contaminated with sweat and dirt.

Proper cleansing – from lathering to rinsing – is also essential to avoiding acne on the neck. Use a clarifying shampoo like Dove Botanical Silicone Free Shampoo for Fresh Hair Clarify. This silicone-free formula gets rid of buildup on your scalp and strands. Concentrate on your roots to avoid drying out the ends of the hair. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly before applying conditioner.

Does your hair feel sticky and limp when dry? You might have conditioner buildup. It could be causing your neck breakouts, which you can avoid by applying conditioners and treatment masks only on the lower half of your strands. It has a dual purpose: You focus on the areas that need the most nourishment and avoid adding more oil to your scalp.

Rinse it thoroughly – that is, until your strands no longer feel slimy. Shower with lukewarm water instead of hot water to prevent scalp irritation, which also causes bumps. Use a hair claw to put your hair up so that soap or body wash doesn’t dry it out. Then you can wash your body. Following this order helps prevent body acne caused by hair products.

Proper grooming can also prevent breakouts. During the day, keep your hair away from your face especially if it’s hot outside. Use Eskinol Pimple Relief Micellar Water to cleanse your face in between washes if you sweat. Of course, make sure to wash your face and neck before bed. Apply Eskinol Pimple Relief Spot Gel Corrector on your acne to help your skin heal.

While sleeping, keep your hair away from your face and neck. You can try tying it in a loose bun with a soft scrunchie or simply letting it fall on your pillow above your head. If you have breakouts on your neck and chest, wear loose-fitting clothing to prevent sweating. Avoid touching your neck or wearing anything abrasive so you don’t irritate your skin further.

Acne on your neck can be annoying, but you don’t have to live with it. A few simple tweaks to your haircare routine and a bit more effort in the grooming department can help. Limit your use of comedogenic products and remember to wash them off thoroughly. Finally, treat your neck like it’s an extension of your face and don’t hesitate to include it in your acne-clearing regimen.