It happens to all of us. We wake up and find those dreaded pimples right between our eyebrows. They’re hard to cover up and can be painful.
Worse, they are right in the middle of our face. Brow enthusiasts will know how frustrating it is to have your perfectly crafted eyebrow routine ruined by unexpected acne.
But why does this happen? Something about that zone right between our eyebrows can feel extra susceptible to acne. More importantly, what can we do to avoid having these annoying breakouts.
Types of Acne
The first thing to understand is where acne comes from. There is some blockage between your skin’s surface and the oil duct underneath. This can feel much less stressful when it’s not in the middle of your face.
All types of acne can appear anywhere on your body where there is excessive sweat or oil. However, these types of acne are most common between the eyebrows.
- Comedones
The most common form of facial acne is comedones. They are more commonly known as whiteheads or blackheads. The reason that comedones pop up frequently is that they result from oil and dirt leftover on the skin. While generally not painful, they can quickly turn into a full-blown breakout.
- Pustules and Papules
Two common types of acne, these breakouts look similar to a whitehead but are usually surrounded by a red ring or are pink in color. This is the type of acne that leaves scars when pinched or popped. The major difference is that pustules are pus-filled, while papules are generally caused by skin irritation and not oils.
- Cystic acne
This is one of the most painful forms of acne. Cystic acne happens when a combination of dry skin, oil, and bacteria get trapped under the skin. This type of acne is more common in people with oily skin but can happen to anyone.
You’ll know that it’s cystic acne if the bump is becoming more prominent than the acne you typically get. Cystic acne will also be painful to the touch. It’s one of the most noticeable forms of acne and can take the longest to heal.
Causes of Acne Between Eyebrows
We may be able to recognize the acne on our foreheads, but that doesn’t explain how to avoid it in the first place. Acne between your eyebrows doesn’t have to be treated; we can find ways to try and prevent it in the first place.
- Excessive Oil
What is unique about the space between your eyebrows is that it falls in the T zone, the most acne-prone location of your face. The T zone is extremely acne-prone because it has the highest concentration of oil glands.
This excess oil can clog hair follicles and cause inflammation. Since hair follicles often become inflamed, this leaves the area between your eyebrows an easy target for painful acne.
- Waxing or tweezing
These types of hair removal are a common cause of acne between the eyebrows. When the hair is growing back, it can get stuck under the skin and create ingrown hair. This can cause an acne-like bump between your eyebrows.
Waxing specifically can cause skin redness and irritation that can lead to breakouts. The easiest solution is sugar waxing! Since that process is not as harsh on the skin, you’re likely to notice less acne.
- Dirty hair
This one we probably all know, but as bangs come back in style, it’s an important reminder. Keeping your bangs oil-free will prevent acne between the eyebrows and the forehead. Remember that using dry shampoo or other products to place something between your hair and skin, or irritation and acne, could still occur.
- Diet
We may all have heard that acne can be caused by eating too much dairy. However, what you might not know is that the reason your diet is so important is to promote overall skin health. You can be getting acne for a number of reasons.
While some foods make us prone to more breakouts, they may also create a dandruff issue. Just like in your hair, you can develop dry, flaky skin around your eyebrows. Keeping your skin healthy can cause this dry skin and encourage acne.
What to Do about Eyebrow Acne
If you often get acne in this area, you can do a few simple things both before and after you notice these breakouts.
The easiest solution to waxing is sugaring or shaving the area between your eyebrows. Shaving specifically won’t pull the hair out from the root and reduces the chances of ingrown hair. If you get your eyebrows sugared, make sure that the esthetician doesn’t exfoliate the area before, increasing irritation.
Another simple way to avoid acne is to use an antibacterial spot treatment. If you often are getting acne in this area, you can add a sulfur product to your skincare routine to reduce the chances of a breakout.
The best way to prevent acne is to make sure that you are washing your face regularly. Keeping the area free of any oil or dirt will make it easier to avoid breakouts of any kind. Adding a sulfur product to any area of your skin that is generally oily is an excellent way to stop pimples before they become an eyesore.
If you are already breaking out, pimple patches are a great way to target a specific area of the face. Charcoal is perfect for spot treatments and will keep the breakout from getting worse. Another great spot treatment is benzoyl peroxide, which can also be mixed into products to avoid significant skin drying.
What to Do When Nothing is Helping
If you have consistent acne problems, it’s always best to reach out to a dermatologist. They are the best people to recommend specific solutions that will work for your skin. This is especially true if you are having repeated problems with cystic acne. Since it can be both painful and long-lasting, it’s important to have a professional look at it if nothing is working.
