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Acne Tips: Care for Your Hair

Did you know that your hair can exacerbate or even cause acne? Think about it; do you breakout more often when you have bangs? Do you notice a correlation between greasy hair and oily skin? Chances are if you answered ‘yes’ to either (or both) of those questions, your acne is made worse by your hair. Hair-related acne is most common on the face, but it can even occur on the neck, shoulders and back if the hair is long enough.

If you want to know how to get rid of acne caused by your hair, the steps are simple and easy to remember. Taking better care of your hair and being mindful of letting your skin breathe will help clarify the skin, leading to a healthier and more beautiful complexion.

As your first step, be sure to pin back bangs whenever possible. If you have bangs and severe forehead acne, you might want to consider growing your bangs out. Although bangs can sometimes be comforting to hide behind, the products used on the hair can irritate and worsen acne, plus bangs form a barrier between your skin and the environment. This barrier traps oils and bacteria against the skin while making it difficult for the skin to breathe and function properly.

The next step to reducing acne is to stop playing with your hair. We all know that picking at our skin makes acne worse, but when you have hair-caused acne, playing with your hair can be just as harmful as picking your skin! When you run your fingers through your hair, you’re picking up oils, product residue, debris, and more. Then, when your fingers touch your face, all of these unwanted substances end up in your pores. To help “train” yourself to leave your hair alone, pull it back into a simple ponytail for a couple days. (Remember to pin back your bangs if you have them!) After a few days of this, you’ll hopefully lose the desire to mess with your hair.

Lastly, look at your beauty hair products. Shampoos, conditioners and styling products formulated with natural ingredients are less likely to worsen acne. Sodium laureth sulfate and other common hair care ingredients can be harsh and irritating to the skin, especially sensitive skin types such as acne-prone skin. Eliminating these ingredients from your beauty care regimen will help the skin (and hair) regain balance and beauty. Simply read the ingredients lists of your products and replace those containing harsh chemicals with naturally-minded products containing nourishing and gentle botanicals. Also, be sure to wash your hair before you cleanse your face in order to rinse away any remaining shampoo or conditioner residue.

With these easy steps in mind, you’re well on your way to eradicating hair-caused acne. Though it may take a little while to get used to a new hair care regimen, your skin will surely thank you for your efforts!