Why Do You Get Acne On or Between Your Eyebrows?

Chances are, you’ve come face-to-face with eyebrow pimples at one point or another. Maybe you tried a new moisturizer that didn’t quite agree with your skin or forgot to take off your makeup one night before hitting the sheets. Whatever the case, the reality is that acne between eyebrows can be an absolute pain to deal with (sometimes quite literally). While you can hide blemishes with makeup, that doesn’t address the underlying cause of the breakout. A proper skincare routine, however, can.

Ahead we’re covering everything you need to know about pimples between the eyebrows. Read on to learn what causes this common type of breakout and discover tips to help keep those unwanted visitors at bay.

What Causes Acne Around Eyebrows?

While there’s no way to get rid of those pesky eyebrow zits overnight, there are ways to get the problem under control. Step number one: understanding what causes acne between eyebrows in the first place. Here are six common factors that can lead to developing zits between your eyebrows.

An improper skincare routine

You likely know that most pros recommend washing your face twice daily, and here’s one reason why. Throughout the day, sweat, oil, dirt, and even skincare and makeup products can build up on your skin. If you don’t wash your face often enough, these impurities can clog your pores, leading to pimples between your eyebrows or elsewhere on your face. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends washing your face twice daily with a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser to help remove dirt, oil, and other pore-clogging debris.

Using pore-clogging products

Pore-clogging makeup and skincare products are a major culprit when it comes to pimples in the eyebrows, notes Michelle Henry, MD FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and L'Oréal Paris consultant. These are ingredients that are more likely to clog pores, resulting in those pesky blemishes. If you’re prone to breakouts, look for products labeled “non-comedogenic,” as these will be less likely to clog your pores.

Hair removal

Waxing, tweezing, and threading are popular brow grooming techniques—and they may also contribute to pimples on your eyebrows. According to Dr. Henry, any habit that involves manipulating the skin can lead to irritation, which may leave you more susceptible to stubborn breakouts.

Your hairstyle

It may not seem obvious, but how you wear your hair can affect how your skin looks and feels. According to the AAD, if your hair frequently touches your face—as is likely the case if you have bangs or shorter face-framing layers—there’s a potential for the oil from your hair to transfer onto your skin and lead to zits between your eyebrows. This is especially true for those who use leave-in styling products like hair gels or serums (this type of acne even has its own name: acne cosmetica.)

Wearing glasses or face masks

If you wear eyeglasses or sunglasses, it’s super important to clean the frames regularly. Dirt, oil, makeup, and bacteria can accumulate on the bridge of the glasses and transfer onto your face when you slip your shades on. This, as you can probably guess, may lead to pimples between your eyebrows. Dr. Henry adds that blemishes between eyebrows can also result from friction. This type of acne, known as mechanical acne, may develop after wearing face masks, glasses, or even tight hats that sit around your brow bone.

Certain lifestyle factors

Finally, there are certain lifestyle factors that may make you more likely to develop acne. These include stress, hormonal changes, certain medications, and your diet, per the Mayo Clinic. If you’re unsure what’s causing you to develop zits between your eyebrows, it could be helpful to consult with a board-certified dermatologist.

How To Manage Acne On and Between Your Eyebrows

If acne between your eyebrows is killing your confidence or resulting in painful blemishes, you don’t have to surrender to the frustration. Follow these skincare tips to help promote a clearer-looking complexion.

Opt for a double cleanse

As we mentioned above, cleansing twice daily is one of the best ways to help keep your skin free of pore-clogging debris and buildup. If you really want to ensure your skin is squeaky clean before you hit the sheets, consider double cleansing at night. This popular cleansing method involves washing your face twice, first with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve sunscreen, makeup, and excess oil, then again with a water-based cleanser to thoroughly clean your skin.

If you don’t have a cleansing oil on hand, you can also double cleanse with makeup wipes. Start by lightly wiping your face with the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes to gently remove all traces of makeup and impurities without drying out the skin. Then, wash your face normally with a water-based cleanser and lukewarm water. If you need a recommendation, try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser. The gentle exfoliating formula removes excess oil, makeup, and impurities to help reveal smoother, brighter skin over time. It has a refreshing gel texture and leaves the skin feeling hydrated and refreshed, and it’s suitable for daily use.

which gently washes the face while exfoliating to remove excess oils and makeup for smoother skin. This cleanser is also formulated with glycolic acid and salicylic acid, two skincare ingredients known to reduce acne, per the AAD.

Editor Tip: It can’t be stressed enough—sleeping in makeup is an absolute no-no. Every time you sleep with makeup on, it can mix with dirt and oil on your face, which can lead to breakouts and acne forming, including between eyebrows. And yes, per the AAD, even non-comedogenic makeup can contribute to breakouts if you sleep in it.

Use the right skincare ingredients

Certain ingredients can make a major difference in the appearance of acne. If you’re prone to breakouts, look for products that contain salicylic acid or niacinamide. Per the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), products with salicylic acid can help to unclog pores, while those with niacinamide may help to minimize redness and diminish excess oiliness. Niacinamide may also be useful if you’re prone to post-blemish marks. To help improve the appearance of lingering dark spots, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum. This lightweight serum helps visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots and discolorations in as little as one week. Plus, it provides gentle exfoliation to help reveal brighter, clearer, more even-looking skin over time.

Consider switching up your hairstyle

As we mentioned above, your chosen hairstyle could be the cause of acne between your eyebrows. If you have naturally oily hair or use leave-in products to style your mane, it’s possible for oil to transfer from your strands onto your face and clog your pores, according to the AAD.

Fortunately, you don’t have to get a haircut to help minimize the risk of breakouts. If you use styling aids, be sure to wash any hair that touches your face daily to help remove weighty and potentially pore-clogging residue. It’s also a good idea to look into swapping your current hair products out for oil-free alternatives. And if you have bangs, consider pinning your fringe off to the side to keep your hair off your face.

Try a chemical exfoliator

While we’re all for exfoliating, overdoing it can dry out your skin, leaving you more susceptible to breakouts and irritation. Instead of manually exfoliating your face with a harsh facial scrub or tool, consider opting for a chemical exfoliant containing alpha-hydroxy acids. According to the AAD, these tend to be well-tolerated by those with acne-prone skin.

If you’re new to exfoliation, start with a mild exfoliating toner, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 5 Percent Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner. You can pat it onto your face after cleansing to help remove dead skin cells and brighten your skin. Alternatively, try an at-home peel, like the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel. The oil-free formula contains a blend of alpha, beta, and polyhydroxy acids and helps smooth and brighten the skin in as little as one use. It also helps visibly fade dark spots and post-acne marks over time to reveal a clearer, more even-looking complexion. Keep in mind that, unlike an exfoliating toner, this targeted treatment isn’t meant for daily use. We suggest using it two times per week, at night, to start. As your skin acclimates, you can gradually increase the frequency to four times per week.

Switch out your pillowcases regularly

The AAD shares that dead skin cells, bacteria, and dirt can easily build up on your linens while you sleep. Over time, this debris can transfer to your skin, clogging your pores and leading to acne between your eyebrows and elsewhere. and transfer to the surface of your skin. To help fend off blemishes, the AAD recommends changing your pillowcases two to three times a week. Oh, and if you’re using an eye mask every night to help you catch some solid Zzz’s, make sure to throw that in the wash at least once a week, as well.

Change your bedsheets, too

While you’re switching out those pillowcases you might want to change those sheets, too. No one can guarantee that their face won’t end up on the sheets throughout the night—and if it does, there’s the same risk of bacteria transferring from your sheets onto your face. The Cleveland Clinic recommends changing your sheets once a week or every other week to help keep bacteria at bay.

Don’t pop your pimples

Resist the urge to pop, pick, or squeeze pimples on eyebrows (or anywhere on your face, for that matter). Picking at acne can push bacteria further into the skin and worsen the breakout. It also increases your risk of developing stubborn post-acne marks or even permanent acne scars. If you find it difficult to keep your hands off your pimples, try covering them up with a hydrocolloid patch. These absorbent patches help protect the blemish from external stressors (like wandering fingers) and may contain ingredients that help to minimize the appearance of the pimple.

Give skincare products time to work

As much as you wish that your skincare products could have an overnight impact, that’s the stuff of skincare fairytales. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should give any acne treatment a minimum of four weeks to work. Within four to six weeks, you should be able to tell whether the products are making a difference, but it can take up to two to three months to see a significant improvement in the appearance of your acne.

Stay consistent with your routine and be patient when it comes to results. Switching to different products too soon could have an adverse reaction and result in worse acne between your brows and other places on your face.

If any acne between eyebrows persists, consult with a board-certified dermatologist. A professional can help you identify what could be responsible for the acne between your eyebrows and come up with a treatment plan that’s suitable for your specific skincare needs.

Next Up: When, How, and How Often To Use Niacinamide

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris