Piling on the products

Suffering from pimples that pop up along the hairline or forehead? Hair gel, mousse, pomade, wax, hair spray and smoothing cream are common culprits. Plus, if you have long hair and sensitive or oily skin, you’re especially susceptible.

Dermatologist Doris J. Day, M.D., author of 100 Questions & Answers About Acne, notes that “pomade acne” — caused by pore-clogging hair products — first became a problem in the 1970s. During this time, hair oils and creams were commonly used for certain hairstyles, like the afro. These products often caused acne breakouts on the forehead, temple and hairline.

That’s because many hair products contain “isopropyl myristate, coconut oil and other natural oils, silicone derivatives and petrolatum, all of which can clog pores and start the cycle of acne,” writes dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., on Yahoo! Health.

In his book, Beautiful Skin: Every Woman’s Guide to Looking Her Best at Any Age, dermatologist David E. Bank, M.D., explains that styling products dry up and “flake off onto the sides of the face and neck during the day.” These dried-up flakes can block your pores, resulting in acne.

Hair product dos and don'ts

To prevent pimples, consider a few changes to your hair routine:

• Do avoid getting hair products directly on the skin. If you do, rinse your skin well.

• Do use hairstyling products made from water or glycerine rather than oil or petrolatum. Ideally, choose those that are labeled “noncomedogenic.”

• Do avoid transferring any hair product from your hands to the skin. Wash hands immediately after rubbing the product into your hair.

• Do cleanse your face thoroughly to remove all hair product residue. Check out Bliss Steep Clean Deep Pore Cleanser to banish leftover residue and impurities.

• Don’t use two-in-one shampoos and conditioners. According to Dr. Bank, these thick, rich mixtures can cause breakouts.

• Don’t use styling products if you’ll be exercising or sweating: They can drip down into your face.

Hairstyles to prevent breakouts

Long hair that hangs in your face — especially if it’s oily — is a recipe for acne, because the oils get transferred to your skin. Choosing a different hairstyle can keep breakouts at bay.

• Bangs

  Long or short, thick or wispy, bangs can enhance your look, but they shouldn’t make your complexion break out! Try these simple tips:

  • Sweep bangs to the side to minimize contact with your forehead. Tuck them behind your ear with a cute pin or barrette.

  • Arm yourself with blotting papers to absorb excess oil and hair product residue from the forehead. Stash Boscia Fresh Blotting Linens in your purse or desk drawer. They’re perfect for all skin types.

  • Keep up with regular trims. You’ll maintain the shape of your haircut and prevent bangs from lying flat on the forehead.

• Pulled-back styles

  Planning on working out or sweating? Secure hair away from the face with elastic bands, barrettes or clips. Sweat and oil can drip down from your hair and scalp onto your face, contributing to breakouts.

Cap it off

Caps and hats are great year-round fashion accessories, especially on dreaded “bad-hair days.” And, as a bonus, they protect your face, scalp and hair from harmful UV rays. Unfortunately, baseball caps can cause irritation along the hairline, and ski caps can lead to problems on your entire head! If you decide to wear a hat or cap:

• Choose the correct size so your scalp can breathe. Tight caps make your hair and scalp sweaty. When sweat and oil drip down onto your face, they can cause acne.

• Remove hats as soon as possible after exercising or sweating to prevent trapped oils, moisture and bacteria.

• Wash caps often and allow them to dry completely before wearing them again.

Preventing acne at night

Preventing acne from hair products isn’t just for daytime. What you do with your hair at night can also help you avoid breakouts. Try the following:

• Shampoo your hair at night to remove the day’s build-up of oils and styling products. Opt for Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo to deep cleanse and wash away residue without over-drying your tresses.

• Slip on a fresh, clean pillowcase. Any oil or styling product in your hair will be absorbed by the pillowcase and will transfer to your skin, so avoid sleeping on a dirty, oily pillowcase.

• Brush your hair back into a ponytail or bun when you sleep to keep hair off your face.

Topical acne treatments

Still plagued by acne along your hairline? Topical blemish fighters are designed to clear up your complexion. You may be interested in these products:

• Sampar Prodigal Pen Blemish Corrector is formulated with essential oils to rapidly heal blemishes and bumps.

• Neutrogena On the Spot Acne Treatment contains 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide (BP) to kill bacteria and dissolve excess oil. Higher concentrations of BP can irritate skin. And, according to A Healthy Me, a Web site from Blue Cross, Blue Shield, “There’s no compelling evidence that pricier 10 percent solutions work any better than basic 2.5 percent solutions.”

• EmerginC Blemish Control Tinted treatment contains sulfur and salicylic acid to dry out blemishes. Sulfur is ideal for healing blackheads and whiteheads.

Learn everything you need to know about acne-fighting skincare in our Complete Acne Handbook.