Facing Acne & Irritation? This Derm Says You Might Want To Check Your Shampoo

You've piled on hydrating ingredients, swapped over to hypoallergenic makeup, and steered clear of harsh detergents and disruptive preservatives. And yet, a bout of breakouts or annoying irritation still makes its unwelcome appearance. Sigh.

Sometimes, the occasional pimple just, well, happens—even those with an immaculate skin care regimen can face some blemishes from time-to-time. But if your irritation seems relentless or your clogged pores just won't let up, there's another avenue worth exploring: your hair care products.

All hair care products deposit residue on your hair (this is a good thing; you want those nourishing ingredients to remain on the strands instead of swirling down the drain). However, that residue actually sits on the skin for quite some time: According to board-certified dermatologist Iris Rubin, M.D., founder of SEEN Hair Care, the residue from hair products travels down your face and body while you rinse, and it can transfer to your skin from your hair, towel, or pillow post-wash. 

Specifically, her research suggests that residue from shampoo and conditioner can remain on the forehead, cheeks, scalp, and back for up to two hours1. And for styling products (think leave-ins and curl creams), that residue remains for up to four. That's a pretty big window for ingredients to seep into the skin and cause some unwanted irritation. 

If you're facing some unexplained irritation and breakouts, your hair care products might be to blame. Perhaps take a closer look at your labels and reach for noncomedogenic, silicone- and fragrance-free options.