Hairline Acne Is A Sign You're Making This Face-Washing Blunder

Other than maskne (because that's still a thing!), the most common acne complaint I've heard this summer is hairline breakouts. These zits reside in a beauty no man's land: part scalp, part forehead, and often neglected.

So first up, let's explain why these super-common zits happen and seem to worsen over the summer: It's the perfect storm of sweat, oil, bacteria, hair-product buildup, makeup, and—well—it's a spot we often forget (or avoid!) while washing our face.

But let's focus on that last point above: It's an often ignored spot for washing. "Most people experience them closer to the hairline for two reasons: Your face cream or makeup may not get washed off properly and still remain in your hairline. And the hairline is often neglected when shampooing, thus leaving natural hair oil on the scalp," says certified trichologist Shab Reslan. 

So given that the breakouts may be caused by the simple fact that you're not effectively cleansing the area, the first thing to do is evaluate your cleansing habits. Listen: It's a weird in-between space, and so it is entirely understandable if sometimes you forget to diligently scrub your hairline. It happens to the best of us.

Simply consider budding zits a wake-up call to spend a little more time and attention on the area. After a few more diligent washes, ideally, the situation should start to subside. (And if you're worried about taking a face cleanser to the hair? Check out our favorite gentle, natural washes here.)