Why am I breaking out with acne on my jawline?
Even if the rest of your complexion is practically poreless, breakouts along the jaw can pop up unexpectedly. They seem to be harder to get rid of than breakouts elsewhere on the face, too. So why are you breaking out with acne on your jawline? What can you do about it?
The causes of jawline acne fall under two main categories: hormonal and lifestyle. Both encompass a variety of different factors, and it’s possible for multiple factors to contribute to a single breakout.
Hormones
If you have jawline acne, you’ve probably heard that it could be related to your hormones, especially if you’re a woman. But what is a “hormonal” breakout, anyway?
Contraceptives
Many women are surprised to find that starting contraceptives (birth control) doesn’t clear their acne, but worsens it significantly. Those with previously clear skin can develop stubborn cystic breakouts, usually concentrated along the jaw. Birth control is frequently prescribed to treat acne, so these breakouts can come as a surprise.
If you’re struggling with new or worsening acne while using contraceptives, it’s time to look into which type you’ve been prescribed. Chances are you’re using a progestin-only birth control. Hormonal contraceptives containing only progestin are known to cause acne. If you’re using progestin-only birth control and have noticed new or worsening acne, talk to your doctor. You might decide trying another contraceptive is a better option, but if you are otherwise happy with your contraceptive method, it’s worth exploring other acne treatment options.
Discontinuing Contraceptives
For women who haven’t had a problem with contraceptive use causing acne or have successfully cleared their acne using birth control, jawline breakouts can still creep into the picture. For a variety of reasons, people choose to discontinue birth control. When the steady stream of acne-regulating hormones that contraceptives provide is no longer available, jawline acne can appear. It’s common for these breakouts to stick around for up to year while the body adjusts. It’s worth taking this into consideration if you’re thinking about contraceptives as a treatment for acne. Unless you plan to stay on them long-term, they might be setting you up for stubborn rebound breakouts. There are other effective options for treating acne, like this hypochlorous acid spray from Purclarity Skincare.
Hormonal Disorders
Hormonal acne can happen to anyone, but occasionally it’s indicative of a disorder like PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome.) For women with PCOS, the ovaries produce too much androgen, which causes breakouts. If you have jawline acne and are experiencing other symptoms like irregular periods, excess body hair, and difficulty with weight management, check in with your doctor. If PCOS is the cause of your acne, managing the underlying hormonal imbalance might be an important component of treatment. A gentle topical treatment like Purclarity Skincare’s Revitalizing Mist is another option to consider for this type of acne, especially if there is skin irritation from removing the excess facial hair that is common with this condition.
Teenage Hormones
While it may seem like hormonal acne only affects women, it’s common in both sexes. Men tend to experience jawline breakouts caused by hormonal fluctuations earlier in life, during their teen years. During puberty, when testosterone surges, breakouts along the jaw are typical. These breakouts will usually resolve with time and appropriate acne treatment. One of the most user-friendly products for teens is a hypochlorous acid spray like Purclarity Skincare’s Revitalizing Mist. Unlike a lot of complicated, multi-step skincare routines, teenagers can apply this non-irritating anti-microbial spray whenever it’s convenient.
Lifestyle
Hormones might take the lion’s share of the blame for breakouts aong the jaw, but there’s quite a few other reasons you might experience acne in this area of the face. And remember: even if your breakout is hormonal, these factors can still play a role!
Shaving
Shaving can cause or aggravate acne for a variety of reasons. Like any product you put on your face, skin can become reactive to ingredients in shaving creams and after shaves. Physical irritation from the razor can be bothersome if there are pustules or cysts present, and common issues like razor burn and ingrown hairs can easily become infected.
Using frangrance-free shaving products formulated for sensitive skin is a good place to start, as is maintaining proper skin and razor hygiene. Aftershave isn’t helpful for acne, so swap it out for Purclarity skincare’s Revitalizing Mist, which is anti-inflammatory (to soothe redness and razor burn) and anti-microbial (to treat breakouts.)
Diet
The link between diet and acne is contested, but there are several evidence-based guidelines to keep in mind if your jawline just won’t clear up. A high-glycemic diet has been linked to acne, so if you’ve been living off cheez-its and sour patch kids (or other processed/convenience foods or sugary drinks) it might be time to introduce some fresh, whole foods. Dairy products, particularly low-fat dairy (which has a higher glycemic index) is also an acne trigger for some. And don’t overlook whey, a dairy by-product that’s found in protein powders, supplements, and protein-enriched foods. Reducing or eliminating these foods in combination with using a hypochlorous acid spray (like this one) will drastically decrease inflammation contributing to jawline breakouts.
Maske
Determining the cause of acne isn’t always a guessing game. For many people, jawline acne showed up when wearing a mask for long hours became a part of their daily life. The problem for most “maskne” sufferers is that unlike eliminating a trigger food or irritating cosmetic product, eliminating an essential piece of personal protective equipment isn’t possible. Breakouts along the jaw caused by frequent mask-wearing are caused by bacteria thriving in the damp, enclosed environment created by a sealed mask. The friction of the mask rubbing against the skin can also be irritating, making breakouts more likely. Proper hygiene is essential, but as anyone with maskne will tell you, it’s not enough. Fortunately, Purclarity Skincare has the perfect solution: their Revitalizing Skin Mist is a hypochlorous acid spray that both soothes inflamed skin and kills acne-causing bacteria. It can be re-applied every time you remove your mask.
Stress
Can stress alone cause jawline acne? It might not seem like it, but stress increases cortisol, which is (you guessed it) a hormone that can cause acne. And if you’re losing sleep because of stress, cortisol levels are likely to spike even higher. Stress management is beneficial for more than just acne, so if you can make any changes to get it under control, start there. It’s not always easy to “be less stressed” so a topical acne treatment like hypochlorous acid is probably a good call.
Other Factors
Still scratching your chin about what’s causing your jawline acne? Here’s a clue: stop touching your face! Sometimes breakouts in specific locations have everything to do with habits like resting your chin in your hands during long lectures or wearing a bike helmet with a chin strap. Pay attention to how often you’re touching your face, practice frequent hand-washing, and keep bacteria at bay with an anti-microbial product like a hypochlorous acid spray.
Difficult but Not Impossible
When it comes to jawline acne, it can seem like a losing battle. For women especially, treating breakouts along the jaw can feel like a game of hormonal whack-a-mole. As difficult as treating jawline acne can be, a hypochlorous acid spray like Purclarity Skincare’s Revitalizing Mist can help you finally get a handle on a frustrating problem.