Today I’m going to share the top 7 triggers or root causes of forehead acne from my holistic perspective as a naturopathic doctor.
1. Poor digestion
Based on traditional facemapping, forehead acne typically points to poor digestion beginning in the small intestine. Digestive enzyme insufficiency may be a contributing factor.
Improve your digestion by chewing each bite of food thoroughly in a relaxed space. Taking an bitter herbal tincture before each meal may also be helpful to support digestion (my favorites are on my FullScript medicinary for 10% off).
2. Lactose intolerance or other food sensitivities
Food sensitivities are often associated with acne and typically persist until the gut has been healed. Dairy (lactose) intolerance commonly shows up as red pimples or cystic breakouts on the forehead, as well as cystic acne on the outer chin. Other food sensitivities can play a role as well.
3. Poor elimination from the kidneys
Kidney function can be impacted by high blood sugar levels, excessive use of kidney-toxic medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, and dehydration. “Kidney acne” typically tends to present as small patches of pimples with a rough texture.
4. Dehydration
Dehydration affects your skin’s ability to stay hydrated. It also impacts your kidneys’ ability to filter blood and eliminate wastes effectively. Drinking plenty of filtered water daily with added trace minerals is important if you have forehead acne.
I use a Berkey water filter. You can find my favorite trace minerals on my FullScript medicinary.
5. Prolonged stress and worry
Prolonged stress and worry can elevate your cortisol levels, disrupting the balance of other important hormones like estrogen and progesterone that can play a role in acne. Cortisol imbalances can also throw off your blood sugar, which is known to affect acne.
6. Hair care items
While not a true “root cause,” it’s always important to assess your hair care products (shampoo, conditioner, hair serums) to see if they contain any irritating or inflammatory ingredients like parabens or sodium lauryl sulfate. These can irritate the sensitive skin on your face.
My favorite shampoo and conditioner for the past few years has been Acure! You can check out all my other favorite haircare and skincare products here.
7. Over-exfoliating
Exfoliation helps to remove excess dead skin cells. However, excessive exfoliating can irritate the skin, disrupt the skin barrier, and result in acne. Be gentle and exfoliate in moderation.
Address these main triggers of forehead acne, and you’ll be well on your way to clearer skin!
If you’re looking for a holistic approach to clearing acne, watch my free Naturally Radiant Skin Method masterclass where I teach you how I help my clients clear their skin naturally.
