Why do pimples appear on the face?

Have you ever had a huge pimple pop up on your nose, impossible to hide, just on the day you have your first date with a super hot crush? Or have you ever noticed a series of breakouts and blemishes scattered on your chin, cheeks, and forehead that, if covered with star-shaped patches, you could have drawn an entire constellation? Yeah, it’s not pleasant, but if it’s any consolation, it’s common. From Kendall Jenner to Millie Bobby Brown, we’ve all been through these experiences, each dealing with them in our own way: some cancel every commitment until the end of the skin eruption, some put a heart sticker on it and flaunt it like it’s the coolest accessory, but mostly, those who use all the skincare hacks and products they know to make the unwanted "guests" disappear. But how many of us have asked ourselves why our skin went haywire right in that area and at that specific moment?

The language of acne: each blemish corresponds to a problem

Is it cystic acne or is it caused by stress? Is it the result of a hormonal issue, genetic factors, or an unhealthy diet? Maybe it’s due to sweat or an overly harsh cleanser? There are various elements that can cause acne, and the area where the breakouts appear can indicate what triggered them. It’s a bit like the concept of the Acne Face Map shared by Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. According to these practices, each part of the face corresponds to an organ. So, if one is irritated, it signals that the other is also suffering. This holistic approach shouldn’t be considered infallible, because a real diagnosis requires considering the person affected by acne as a whole, including genetics, hormones, diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Therefore, especially in cases of persistent or severe acne, it’s better to seek professional help and consult a dermatologist.

Pimples and breakouts: understanding the causes to plan remedies

Alice Zabeo, Skin Specialist and CEO & founder of Bonnie Beauty, a startup that creates customized skincare, helps us understand what causes a pimple to appear on the chin rather than on the cheek and how we can act to minimize or completely resolve that blemish. The first secret to flawless skin? Cleanse your face in the morning and evening with a gentle gel cleanser and then apply a cream specifically formulated to address your problems. Here are some more tips for treating pimples and breakouts based on their location.

Forehead and hairline

Sometimes we try to camouflage pimples on the forehead with concealers and foundation, and when the situation seems particularly disastrous, we resort to covering bangs or wear a bandana pretending to do it as a style whim, but there are better remedies.

Causes: stress, sweat, residues of hair products or makeup. In some cases, it might be due to a fungus called pityrosporum. Remember that dirty hair could exacerbate the sweat and oil that clog pores, thus worsening breakouts. Watch out for hats and caps that can trap bacteria in the area.

Solutions: avoid touching the area with your hands and clean the forehead properly, removing all makeup and hair products.

Cheeks

It’s one of the most breakout-prone areas, but also perhaps one of the easiest to treat. Just making changes in our daily lives can help our skin get back on track.

Causes: makeup, continuous contact with the face (the more we touch our face, the more dirt, bacteria, oil, allergens come into contact with the skin), dirty pillowcases and phone screens, which are fertile ground for bacteria, dust, dirt, fungi, pollen, and other allergens.

Solutions: avoid frequently touching your face with your hands, change bed linen once a week, clean your phone with a disinfectant, wash makeup brushes and sponges often, and double cleanse when wearing heavy makeup.

Jaw and neck

Pimples around the chin and jaw often correspond to hormonal fluctuations. They are very common and tend to increase before the menstrual cycle. They are also associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. The worst part? They tend to be more painful and can be cystic.

Causes: hormones, stress, frequently touching this area with your hands. When it comes specifically to the neck, acne can also be related to sweat or clothing.

Solutions: wash off all cleanser residues with water before drying your face. It’s also important to maintain a regular sleep pattern and a healthy diet to limit hormone breakouts, but if the problem persists, it’s best to consult a dermatologist and a gynecologist who will assess the situation and prescribe therapies and medications such as birth control pills or spironolactone.

Nose

There are more sebaceous glands on the nose compared to the rest of the face, making this area more prone to breakouts. The downside? Often, pimples in this area are the hardest to camouflage and are particularly annoying.

Causes: stress and excess sebum, which can also cause blackheads.

Solutions: cleanse thoroughly and use skincare products that work to unclog pores. After cleansing your face, you can try retinoids and witch hazel, which have natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and sebum-regulating properties.