Zits caused by hormones appear around the jaw and chin, and zits in the T-zone are linked to stress; what about the cheeks? Even though all acne is caused by oil blocking our pores, our faces can sometimes explain why oil clogs our pores in particular areas. The good news is that we may make additional changes to our daily lives to help our skin get back on track, particularly our cheeks. Below you will find what causes cheek breakouts and how to avoid and treat them.
Causes of Breakouts Around the Cheeks
While breakouts anywhere on the face can have a genetic basis, they are more likely to be related to environmental and dietary factors on the cheeks. Causes of acne breakouts on the cheeks are more challenging to identify than those on other parts of the face (T-zone, nose, chin, forehead). Your genes or routine actions may be to blame (touching the face, makeup, makeup brushes, etc.). Acne tends to form there for some people for no apparent reason.
The skin and oil glands of each individual are unique. However, environmental factors and carelessness typically cause sporadic breakouts on the cheeks.
When you stop to think about it, our cheeks take the biggest hit from our routines. Our cheeks endure abuse, including touching, cradling, and resting on dirty hands, phones, and pillowcases. It's not shocking that they sometimes react, after all. Only using our hands and phones creates a fertile environment for bacteria. Pollen and other allergens are transferred to the hands from various surfaces throughout the day. Dirt, bacteria, oil, allergens, and dead skin cells are transferred from the fingers to the face the more often it is touched. It's frustrating that even if our skin stays healthy throughout the day, there are still more opportunities for exposure to germs in our beds. If you're experiencing breakouts on your cheeks, change your sheets or pillowcase.
After a week or two, your bedsheets will be a haven for dust mites, pollen, mold spores, dander, and other allergens.
It's also important to pay attention to the ingredients in your cosmetics and makeup tools, as these can be the source of the problem. Alcohol and synthetic fragrances are common ingredients in skincare and cosmetics but can be irritating and comedogenic.
If heredity and environmental factors are possible causes, a dermatologist may suspect a skin disorder like rosacea, acne mechanica (also known as maskne), folliculitis, or another rash. Finally, these outbreaks can cause by a lack of hydration or overwashing, which strips the skin of its natural oils.
Where do you start looking to tell the difference? Go for a bit of expert advice that can reveal some information. If it's part of a long-term inflammatory condition, the affected area is unlikely to have clear borders. When it is unevenly distributed, it tends to cause problems, such as the form of your phone and its exposure.
Prevention
If your cheeks are breaking out due to factors in your daily routine or lifestyle, the good news is that it's not hard to fix, and it's well worth the extra laundry and weekly makeup brush cleaning. What's the other piece of the puzzle in preventing problems? Make sure your skincare routine covers all the bases.
As such, we advocate a straightforward but effective routine. To wash away the day's grime, dissolve dead skin, and revive dull skin, try using an exfoliating cleanser containing AHAs/BHAs like glycolic or salicylic acid before bed. If your skin is prone to breakouts, that is no excuse to forego water. To avoid clogged pores, you should use a non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer.
Treatments for Breakouts
We suggest trying one of these ingredients to find the best treatment for your breakouts if your skin has not responded to over-the-counter treatments.
Benzoyl Peroxide
This common acne treatment ingredient kills the acne-causing bacteria and, to a lesser extent, can slow down the skin's sebum production.
Salicylic Acid
This beta hydroxy acid is oil soluble, penetrating the sebaceous gland follicle and removing dead skin cells.
Retinoids
This vitamin A derivative improves cellular function, which aids in preventing clogged pores. It can also reduce inflammation and control sebum production. A retinoid (tretinoin) cream can be prescribed by a dermatologist. Still, you can buy it online from companies like Dermatica and Curology for a reasonable price without visiting a doctor.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics decrease both bacterial load and inflammation. A dermatologist on staff can write you a prescription for oral or topical use.
