
Is your hair product causing acne?
“Many hair products are oil based, which may trigger acne in those who are already prone, but ingredients such as petroleum, silicone, cocoa butter, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, mineral oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and lanolin can also trigger acne, especially if left on the skin,” says Nazarian.
What are the ingredients in hair products that should be avoided?
Isopropyl myristate, all oils (except sunflower, safflower and tea tree), sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and sodium chloride are commonly found ingredients in hair products that you should avoid. Wash and condition your hair before washing your face and body to remove any residue the hair products tend to leave on your skin.
Which hair products are best for your hair?
It’s better to choose hair products without sulfates and mineral oils that emphasize organic extracts, like the British M Organics Annatto Hair Oil. But, lots of those other ingredients are super good for your hair, so don’t rush to toss out your favorite shampoo or conditioner just yet.
Can acne-causing ingredients be good for your hair?
“Many of those acne-causing ingredients are actually wonderful for hair care, and help condition and smooth dry or damaged hair follicles, so the point is to try to use them in a way that doesn’t cause collateral damage to your skin,” says Nazarian.

Can hair product give you acne?
Shampoos, conditioners, and styling products can cause whiteheads and other types of acne in these areas. The bumps can be so subtle that you can feel but not see them. Some people develop numerous, closely packed bumps that they can see. Even if you've never had acne, hair care products can cause breakouts.
What ingredients to avoid in shampoo that cause acne?
Ingredients like petroleum, silicones, jojoba oil, shea butter, and even cocoa butter can also cause flare-ups of pimples. Based on a study from the International Journal of Medical Research, coconut oil is one of the major acne-causing ingredients to avoid in hair care products.
How do I know if my hair products cause acne?
Experts say bumps caused by shampoo often have a few unique identifiers. “When shampoo is the cause of your breakouts, you likely will get whiteheads and bumps along your hairline, forehead and nape of the neck,” says Fort Lauderdale, FL dermatologist Dr. Matthew Elias.
What hair product does not cause acne?
Shampoos and ConditionersSEEN Shampoo. ... SEEN Conditioner. ... Vanicream Free & Clear Sensitive Skin Shampoo. ... Vanicream Free & Clear Hair Conditioner. ... Head and Shoulders Instant Oil Control 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo. ... Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo. ... OGX Extra Strength Tea Tree Mint Shampoo.More items...•
What shampoo ingredients cause acne?
Many hair products are oil based, which may trigger acne in those who are already prone, but ingredients such as petroleum, silicone, cocoa butter, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, mineral oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and lanolin can also trigger acne, especially if left on the skin.
What hair products clog pores?
Among the ingredients that can clog pores are coconut oil, wheat germ oil, and cocoa butter. Some waxes, as well as polymers that are used to create “hold” in styling products, can be pore-clogging culprits as well.
How often should you wash your hair if you have acne?
You should consider washing your hair frequently if you have oily, acne prone skin. This could be anywhere from on alternative days to more than once per day. This is especially true if your hair is long enough that it touches your face. Having more sebum on your skin causes the bacteria responsible for acne to thrive.
Does Shea Moisture cause acne?
Shea butter has soothing and anti-aging properties that may make skin appear smoother and reduce aging. However, pure shea butter on your face could lead to breakouts. Even using some products that just contain a smaller percentage of shea butter may lead to acne.
Does coconut oil on hair cause acne?
In fact, you should also be careful about using coconut oil in your hair, as this is a common ingredient in many hair care products and it might be causing your acne, especially on your forehead and scalp.
How do I prevent acne from my hair?
Are haircare products causing your breakouts?Consider your skin type.Change your haircare products.Avoid: coconut oil.Look for: non-comedogenic formulas.Look for: salicylic acid.
Which hair oil is best for acne-prone skin?
4 Answers. Olive oil, almond oil, sesame oil, coconut oil are all comedogenic oils, especially in the formulations used in hair oils. Safer hair oil options are castor oil and jojoba oil but they are both pretty thick to use alone.
How do you prevent acne from conditioner?
The simplest prevention method is to thoroughly cleanse your skin in the shower, right after you've shampooed and conditioned. Dr. Loretta explained that while any cleanser is better than nothing, you may have better luck keeping breakouts at bay by using a cleanser formulated specifically for acne-prone skin types.
What ingredients are bad for acne prone skin?
If you have acne-prone skin, these are the 5 skincare ingredients...Coconut oil. ... Lanolin. ... Algae extract. ... Isopropyl myristate/Isopropyl palmitate. ... Parabens. ... Also read:
Can sulfates cause acne?
For people with sensitive skin, sulfates may also clog pores and cause acne. Many products have a lower concentration of SLS or SLES in their formulation. But the longer the products stay in contact with your skin or eyes, the higher the risk of irritation.
What ingredients prevent acne?
8 Best Ingredients for Acne-Prone SkinBenzoyl peroxide.Salicylic acid.Alpha hydroxy acids.Sulfur.Adapalene.Azelaic acid.Vitamin C.Tea tree oil.More items...•
Can shampoo cause pimples on scalp?
Lots of scalp pimples are caused by shampoo, styling gel, and hairsprays that leave residues on your scalp and also clog your pores. Scalp acne caused by hair products is so common that it has its own medical name: acne cosmetica. Hormones can also cause acne.
How to prevent pimples from forming?
To prevent pimples, consider a few changes to your hair routine: 1 Style your hair before you apply your makeup. Wash hands thoroughly to remove all hair products before you touch your skin. Some of these products really stick and you will need to wash your hands twice. 2 Cover your face before you use hair spray. Check out beauty supply stores for a plastic face shield you can cover your face with before spraying hair spray. 3 Do not touch your hair and then your face as you will transfer hair product to your skin. 4 Try to keep your hair away from your face. Choose a hairstyle to minimize contact with your forehead or cheek area. 5 At bedtime, cover your hair if you have product in it that is prone to causing breakouts. Avoid tight head covering as this will only make you sweat and cause breakouts on your scalp. 6 Wash your hair before you go to bed to remove hair product that causes acne. 7 Pull hair away from your face when you sleep with a ponytail or bun. 8 Trade out your pillowcase frequently and avoid sleeping on dirty pillowcases. 9 Exercise without wearing foundation and use a headband to keep sweat from running down your face. Always wash your face immediately after exercising. 10 Avoid getting hair products directly on the skin. If you do, rinse your skin well.
How to stop breakouts on scalp?
At bedtime, cover your hair if you have product in it that is prone to causing breakouts. Avoid tight head covering as this will only make you sweat and cause breakouts on your scalp.
What to do if you have acne?
Keep it Simple. If you have acne, avoid products that add oil to your skin or hair. Ingredient labels don’t always underline the acne-causing ingredients. When looking at products and acne treatments, always look for "non-acne" or "non-comedogenic.".
How to apply makeup before applying hair?
Style your hair before you apply your makeup. Wash hands thoroughly to remove all hair products before you touch your skin. Some of these products really stick and you will need to wash your hands twice. Cover your face before you use hair spray.
Can hair products be put on skin?
Avoid getting hair products directly on the skin. If you do, rinse your skin well.
Do you have to cover your face before spraying hair?
Cover your face before you use hair spray. Check out beauty supply stores for a plastic face shield you can cover your face with before spraying hair spray.
Can oil free shampoo cause breakouts?
If it says "oil-free," it may still contain ingredients that cause breakouts. Stay away from isopropyl myristate, oils, and silicone, petrolatum, PVP, CVP and copolymer ingredients. Sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate are also ingredients you should avoid. Wash and condition your hair before you wash the rest ...
To prevent breakouts, consider making some changes to your hair routine
Style your hair before applying your makeup, then wash your hands thoroughly to remove all hair products before touching your face. Some of these products really stick, requiring you to wash your hands twice.
THE BAD
Here is a list of ingredients that cause acne. Ditch all your hair products that contain these ingredients. If outbreaks are recent, what new products have you used? Stop using them for several weeks and see if your skin clears up.
THE GOOD
DISCLAIMER: Hair companies change their ingredients so often that we can’t always keep up, and only find out when a customer starts breaking out, so the “approved” products listed below may no longer be safe.
What is the name of the hair care line that clogs pores?
Keep an eye out for pore-clogging ingredients. According to Dr. Iris Rubin, MD, a dermatologist and the founder of SEEN—a hair care line designed around preventing acne—not only are the ingredients in your productspotentially clogging, but how they interact could ultimately impact skin, too.
Can hair products cause acne?
Find out how your hair products, which may include petrolatum and wax ingredients, can cause your acne, according to dermatologists. Find out how your hair products, which may include petrolatum and wax ingredients, can cause your acne, according to dermatologists. Skip to content.
How to prevent hair product from transferring to face?
Nazarian also emphasizes the importance of removing your hair product at night. Just like removing your makeup, you should ideally wash your hair to remove product before going to bed to prevent hair product from transferring out of your hair and onto your face via your pillow. However, she does note that “if you are not going to shower before bedtime and wash off hair care products, it’s important to at least keep your hair away from your face whenever you can, including when you sleep. Using a soft hair band to keep hair off our face and minimize the transfer of oil and products will also help to minimize acne breakouts.”
How to tell if hair product is breaking you out?
The best way to determine if a hair product is breaking you out is to pay attention to where your breakouts are occurring. “Areas that tend to be affected by residue from hair products are the hairline, neck, and upper back or shoulders,” says Nazarian.
How to get rid of acne breakouts?
Using a soft hair band to keep hair off our face and minimize the transfer of oil and products will also help to minimize acne breakouts.”. And lastly, make sure you’re aware of your hair products while exercising! “Working out can also induce transfer of hair care products and oils to neighboring skin, so use a hairband to pull your hair back ...
Is oil based hair product bad for acne?
Basically, there are a whole host of ingredients that are risky for people with acne-prone skin, and many more that are a risk to anyone, regardless of their skin type. “Many hair products are oil based, which may trigger acne in those who are already prone, but ingredients such as petroleum, silicone, cocoa butter, sodium lauryl sulfate, ...
Can hair products cause breakouts?
Hair products can cause breakouts anywhere, but especially on your hairline, neck, and back. That’s right: Many of the ingredients your hair needs and loves aren’t so great for your skin, and can often lead to irritation and acne.
Can you use mineral oil in hair products?
That list might seem daunting, but many of those ingredients are ingredients you shouldn’t have in your hair products anyway—sulfates and mineral oils, especially. It’s better to choose hair products without sulfates and mineral oils that emphasize organic extracts, like the British M Organics Annatto Hair Oil.
Is coconut oil safe for acne?
Basically, there are a whole host of ingredients that are risky for people with acne-prone skin, and many more that are a risk to anyone, regardless of their skin type. “Many hair products are oil based, which may trigger acne in those who are already prone, but ingredients such as petroleum, silicone, cocoa butter, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, mineral oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and lanolin can also trigger acne, especially if left on the skin,” says Nazarian. “Many hairsprays are also alcohol-based and can trigger breakouts if accidentally sprayed onto nearby skin.”
What is leave in conditioner?
Leave-in hair conditioners are hair products used on wet or dry hair to moisturize the hair. They can contain comedogenic ingredients like certain oils that, if left on the hair, may cause breakouts. Therefore, people with sensitive or acne-prone skin should be cautious when choosing these products. 3,8
Can leave in hair products cause acne?
Some leave-in hair products like pomades, hair oils, brilliantine, gels, sprays, and conditioners may contain ingredients that can c log pores and lead to acne breakouts, particularly around the hairline where the product is most likely to contact the skin.
Can oils cause acne?
1,4 However, several of these oils range from slightly to highly comedogenic and can cause acne, including:
Can brilliantine cause acne?
Brilliantine is a perfumed oily liquid that can be added to a man's hair to soften it or give it a shiny appearance. However, like pomades, brilliantine is a greasy product, and research has found that it can cause acne in some people. 5
Why do hair products cause breakouts?from aad.org
Why some hair care products cause breakouts. When hair care products contain oil, the oil can find its way to your skin. Once this happens, the oil can clog your pores. Clogged pores can lead to acne. When hair care products are the culprit, you’ll likely get whiteheads and tiny flesh-colored bumps called “papules.”.
What gets rid of this acne?from aad.org
When you stop using the product (s) clogging your pores, the acne will slowly clear.
How long does it take for acne to clear?from aad.org
Give acne time to clear. After you stop using acne-causing products, it can take 4 to 6 weeks for the acne to clear. The cause could also be something less obvious. Many hair care products, including shampoos, conditioners, styling gels, waxes, pastes, and sprays, contain oil.
What happens if you stop using hairstyling products?from aad.org
When you stop using the product (s) clogging your pores, the acne will slowly clear. Sometimes, it’s easy to determine the product (s) causing the breakouts. If you’re using a hairstyling product that contains a lot of oil, such as a pomade, that’s likely the culprit.
Who is the founder of the hair care line SEEN?from marthastewart.com
According to Dr. Iris Rubin, MD, a dermatologist and the founder of SEEN—a hair care line designed around preventing acne—not only are the ingredients in your productspotentially clogging, but how they interact could ultimately impact skin, too.
Can hair products cause acne?from marthastewart.com
Find out how your hair products, which may include petrolatum and wax ingredients, can cause your acne, according to dermatologists. Find out how your hair products, which may include petrolatum and wax ingredients, can cause your acne, according to dermatologists. Skip to content.
What vitamins cause acne?
These Vitamins are B6 and B12. It is actually a very common cause of acne. I had two patents last week taking a Herbalife supplement with Vitamin B12 that had a sudden outbreak of acne. These vitamins are often in “Detox” formulations so keep that in mind if you are taking those.
What color makeup causes acne?
Blushes and facial powers with the D&C Red Dyes (especially dye numbers 3,4,6,7,9,17,19,21,21,27,30,33,36,and 40), have been associated with a form of acne known as acne cosmetica. Lipsticks and lip glosses can have these too and are associated with milia and comedones that occur along the lip line. If you get acne, remember that your makeup can be the culprit. Cream blushes and foundations are more likely to cause acne than powders.
How long does acne last?
Acne is an 8 week cycle so what you do today will affect your skin’s health and appearance for weeks. If acne is a constant skin concern, be sure to talk to your dermatologist. They can recommend the most effective and safest products for your skin type to help keep your complexion clear and healthy.
Can Baumann cause acne?
Ingredients that Cause Acne. Acne is one of the most common and most frustrating skin conditions to deal with. Although some Baumann Skin Types are predisposed to breakouts, just about any skin type will deal with this issue at some point in their lives. While there are a number of over-the-counter and prescription treatments available ...
Is coconut oil comedogenic?
acnes. For this reason you will see some forms of coconut in products that are not comedogenic such as the form found in VMV Hypoallergenics. MY advice to simplify it is to avoid coconut oil containing products in your face and hair products unless they are made by VMV Hypoallergenics.
Does cream blush cause acne?
Cream blushes and foundations are more likely to cause acne than powders. 5. Silicones including Dimethicone. Silicone forms a smooth film over the surface of the skin. It is used to help prevent streaking of makeup in oily skin types and to increase the spreadability of products.
Does denatured alcohol dry skin?
SD or Denatured Alcohol. Unlike oil-based products, SD and denatured alcohol promote skin dryness, which can leave your skin feeling flaky or tight. Acne-prone skin types need to be careful of drying out their skin too much, because this alters the skin’s natural desquamation process.
1. Acetylated Lanolin
Lanolin is a natural ingredient produced by sheep's skin to keep their wool soft, just like we produce sebum to keep our skin soft.
2. Algae Extract
Algae extracts are comedogenic because they penetrate the pore and accelerate the growth of micro-comedones. Algae are also high in iodides, which can irritate the pore, triggering inflammation and the formation of pustules. This nasty ingredient can be found in some concealers and is rated a 5 on the comedogenic scale.
3. Benzaldehyde
This is an added fragrance used in cosmetics and skin-care products to give the product a nice scent. This, however, is one scent we can do without as it's rated at about 3.5 on the comedogenic scale and clogs and irritates the skin the way all artificial fragrances tend to do.
4. D & C Red
This will be seen as ‘D & C Red’ on the label and followed by a number. D & C # 19 has been banned. However, the following can still be found on the market. D & C Red # 3, D & C Red # 21, D & C Red # 30, D & C Red # 36, D & C Red # 40, D & C Red #27.
5. Isopropyl Palmitate
This fatty acid is a common ingredient in many tinted moisturizers and is rated as a 4 on the comedogenic scale. It is very likely to cause pimples on acne prone skin. If a tinted moisturizer claims to be ‘non-comedogenic’, but this ingredient is on the label then you know you are being fooled!
6. Lauroyl Lysine
This ingredient is found in many loose powders and prevents the skin from breathing, resulting in clogged pores and acne. It's rated as high on the comedogenic scale. This is the last thing you want, especially in a face powder as it is applied all over your face!
7. Lauric Acid
Rated as high as 4 on the comedogenic scale, this is one fatty acid we don’t want in our lives, but it's common in many well-known cosmetics and skin products. It is very likely to cause pimples on acne prone skin. Even if your skin does not break out easily, you need to be careful with products containing this ingredient.
