How to clear forehead breakouts, bumps and shine

The advisor looks at three things. Small uniform bumps that catch the light across the forehead are usually clogged pores, sometimes called congestion. Individual red or raised spots are active blemishes. A hard highlight across the centre is oil. We also check for dry, flaky patches at the hairline and between the brows, which often appear when someone has been over-treating the oil.

Hair products are the most overlooked cause. Conditioners, oils, waxes and dry shampoo transfer to the forehead throughout the day. Keep them off the hairline, wash your face after washing your hair rather than before, and change your pillowcase twice a week.

Hands and phones are next. Resting the forehead on a palm, pushing hair back, or holding a phone against the head all deposit oil and bacteria in the same spot. Fringes and hats that touch the skin do the same.

Sweat left to dry after exercise sits in pores. A rinse or a cleansing wipe within twenty minutes of finishing makes a noticeable difference within a couple of weeks.

For an individual spot, a hydrocolloid patch worn overnight draws out fluid and flattens it by morning, and stops you touching it. It works best on a spot that has come to a head, less well on a deep bump under the skin.

For ongoing congestion, adapalene gel is the over-the-counter retinoid that clears clogged pores and prevents new ones forming. Use a pea-sized amount across the whole forehead every other night for the first two weeks, then nightly. Expect some dryness and a possible brief flare in weeks two to four before it settles. Results take eight to twelve weeks.

Do not strip the skin. Harsh foaming cleansers and alcohol toners increase oil and irritation. Pair any treatment with a plain ceramide moisturiser so the barrier stays intact, and wear sunscreen every morning because retinoids make skin more sensitive to sun.