Acne on the Jawline: Why You Have it and How to Get Rid of It

A man’s jawline can be one of his most attractive features. But when your strong, chiseled jawline is dotted with pimples, the last thing you probably want to do is show it off.

Acne on the jawline is particularly frustrating because it’s incredibly stubborn. Pimples on your jawline can take weeks to disappear and can take the form of cystic acne. Why do you have acne on your jawline and what can you do to eliminate it?

Here are three things every man should know about acne on the jawline:

1. Acne on the jawline can last for weeks and often appear as deep, painful cysts.
2. Hormones are likely to blame for your jawline acne; however, other causes may be to blame.
3. If over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments aren’t effective on your jawline acne, consider seeing a dermatologist.

What Causes Jawline Acne?

Acne that occurs on the jawline and chin is usually hormonal. Scientists aren’t exactly certain of the underlying mechanisms, but they do know that the jawline and chin have a high concentration of oil glands.

When specific hormones are secreted, they can trigger oil gland production around your jawline, resulting in acne flare-ups. Here is a closer look at how hormones can cause jawline acne:

1. Diet

Although it’s still a subject of debate in the scientific community, there is strong evidence of a link between diet and acne. Some researchers believe that eating high glycemic load foods (i.e., foods high in sugar and empty carbs) can trigger acne flare-ups by spiking insulin.

In a 2007 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, scientists found that participants who ate a high-protein, low glycemic load diet had decreased acne lesions compared to the control group (see claim: “At 12 weeks, total lesion counts had decreased more in the experimental group (-21.9 [95% confidence interval, -26.8 to -19.0]) compared with the control group…)

2. Stress

Stress can also influence the chemical response in your body which, in turn, affects the skin. In particular, stress can trigger the release of cortisol, the primary stress hormone in the human body.

Cortisol can have a significant impact on the body’s immune system and hurt its ability to fight acne-induced inflammation. It can also spike insulin levels, which can negatively affect the skin.

In a 1999 scientific review, scientists found that high levels of cortisol negatively impacted our body’s proinflammatory abilities by suppressing the immune system (see claim: “…activation of the stress system…may influence the susceptibility of an individual to certain autoimmune, allergic, infectious or neoplastic diseases.”) Considering how acne is an inflammatory disease, it stands to reason that our body’s lowered immune response can negatively affect the skin.

Additional Causes of Jawline Acne

Hormones may be a culprit, but they aren’t the only thing that could be contributing to your jawline acne. Here are a few additional causes of acne along the jawline:

3. Sports Equipment

Helmets can be a sneaky cause of jawline acne. The heat, pressure and friction caused by your chin strap rubbing against your skin can irritate the hair follicles, resulting in an acne breakout.

This specific type of acne is known medically as acne mechanica. Although it typically affects teenagers participating in school sports, it can occur in adult men who wear helmets for work or play as well.

4. Hair Style

If you’re a man with long locks, you may want to consider wearing your hair in a man bun more often. Hair has natural oils which can be transferred to the skin while you sleep and clog your pores.

Hair care products with heavy formulas can be partly to blame as well. Oil-heavy shampoos and conditioners can make hair greasy and trigger breakouts along your hairline and jawline.

If you refuse to cut your hair or wear it up all the time, at least put it in a loose bun while you sleep. This will help prevent breakouts by keeping it off your face.

5. Pore-Clogging Moisturizers

There is a chance that your moisturizer could be to blame for your jawline acne. Check the ingredients on the back and keep an eye out for any pore-clogging ingredients.

Some oils can be comedogenic, meaning that they clog pores. While comedogenic oils such as coconut oil and shea butters are fine for your body, they can cause breakouts in areas that are already prone to acne, such as your jawline.

The best moisturizer for men will have noncomedogenic ingredients and be formulated for your skin type. Remember, even acne prone skin needs hydration!

6. Touching Your Chin

Do you have a habit of resting your chin in your hands? Many of us tend to touch our chins when we’re thinking or when we’re bored.

While touching your face doesn’t directly cause acne, it can be a trigger for your chin acne. All the dirt and bacteria on your hands is transferred to your chin, which is then spread around your chin by your hands. In people with acne-prone skin, this can trigger a massive breakout along the jawline.

How to Get Rid of Acne on the Jawline

While scientists have yet to figure out a cure for acne, there are several effective options for treatment. Here are a few ways to eliminate your acne on the jawline:

1. OTC Treatments

Most people try over-the-counter acne treatments before anything else. These typically include Salicylic Acid, an acne-fighting ingredient that naturally exfoliates the skin.

2. Lasers and/or Chemical Peels

Seeing an esthetician for a laser or chemical peel may help reduce acne lesions. Although both are viable options, don’t expect either to magically clear up your acne completely.

3. Prescription Medication

For severe cases of jawline acne, some acne sufferers have no choice but to see their dermatologist for prescription acne medication. These are usually in the form of retinoids and antibiotics.

Final Thoughts

Acne on your jawline can ruin your self-esteem. If you’re tired of waking up with jawline acne for weeks on end, it’s time to finally do something about it.

With a powerful acne solution, you can fight acne-causing bacteria and stop new pimples from forming on your jawline. Give one of Tiege Hanley’s acne systems a try and let us know what you think!