So, I'm going to be fully vulnerable and admit a dark secret.
I have chin breakouts!
I honestly believe that if I didn't have a chin or jawline, most of my acne problems would be fixed. (Even though that would cause a whole set of other problems, but that's not the point).
And while I completely resigned myself to being a life-long hoodie wearer to cover up my face...
...it didn’t have to be that way.
I just needed to realize that my face was like one big map, and the treasure remedy for chin breakouts was somewhere close. So, that’s when I devised a plan!
Strategically figuring out the trigger points, I found the clues I needed to put chin breakouts behind me! And now it's time to share them with you!
Why the Chin?
It all starts with dead skin, bacteria, and sebum.
When the dead skin and bacteria get trapped under excess oil, it causes the skin to become inflamed and form a nasty pimple.
Just like regular acne, chin acne can be caused by these same villains. The difference, however, is why excess sebum and inflammation happen in the first place.
From hormonal fluctuations to eating the wrong things, chin acne has definite triggers that should be on your radar.
Below, I have a few of these reasons for chin acne and how you can prevent them from ruining your face. You can make a mental note to thank me later (I accept fruit baskets and homemade brownies).
Hormonal Chin Acne
Did you know that chin breakouts are largely determined by hormone levels? It’s true! While this may come as a surprising fact, it is scientifically proven. One of the greatest examples of this is our very own ‘Aunt Flo.’
Here is a little breakdown to help you out!
Imagine your period was three sections of a funnel. You have pre-menstruation, menstruation, and ovulation.
At each level of the funnel (before your period, during, and after), your hormones have various parties that disrupt the normal hormonal activity.
- Pre-menstruation- your body begins to experience a slight decrease in estrogen to make way for the PMS party about to happen. This is the time to stay on top of your skincare.
- Menstruation- estrogen and progesterone levels decline rapidly, causing testosterone levels to increase. This triggers oil production, which can cause more inflamed breakouts.
- Ovulation- oh, ovulation! What a magical time! Right? During this time, estrogen levels return to normal, and your skin looks more radiant than ever. I warn you, though! This stage is very short-lived before progesterone levels drop and stimulate oil glands that cause clogged pores!
And there you have it! It may seem like a lot, and granted, talking about periods is a taxing situation! But hormonal situations, in general, can cause a surge of chin acne.
Hormonal imbalances like PCOS and endometriosis are notorious for making a bad acne situation worse. For women dealing with hormonal imbalances, the normal fluctuations that occur during a period are often heightened. This can cause significant changes in the skin's behavior and ultimately increase the frequency of breakouts and severity.
Diet-Based Chin Breakouts
Believe it or not, another factor for chin breakouts is what we eat! Good or bad, food affects our whole body. And while we're probably taught this in 5th-grade health class, we often don't take the time to implement good eating habits.
But here are a few foods you definitely should avoid to clear up those chin breakouts!
Dairy
While we all love a few slices of cheese to add to our charcuterie board, dairy is a no-no if you want to see clear skin.
For years, studies have shown that dairy can aggravate the skin and lead to more acne. Why? Because the proteins in milk are similar to insulin, which is notorious for breakouts.
High Glycemic Index or GI foods
The GI scale is the rate at which the body breaks food down into carbs.
These include highly refined foods like white bread, white rice, and pasta, or anything high in sugar. Once these enter the body, they can cause blood sugar to spike, which causes inflammation, and ultimately leads to breakouts. Just say no, sweetie!
Fast Food
Now, this is honestly a no-brainer because any way you spin it, fast food is a disaster waiting to happen. But when it comes to your skin, fast food is a ticking time bomb that will only exacerbate your chin acne by causing inflammation and excess oil. So the next time that you feel the urge to eat fast food, think about that beautiful little face of yours!
Bacteria Based Chin Acne
I have been a perpetual face-toucher since I was a kid, and the idea of my hands separating from my face was almost too much to bear. But I had to stop!
Hands are often carriers of bacteria from the things we touch. Touching your face only transfers bacteria. It’s simply out of the question if you want to see clear skin.
The second thing that I had to realize is that makeup is not meant to be worn all day and night. As in, you can't wear it to bed. As much as I know you want to look like a beautiful princess...
A fresh new batch of inflamed, red, and pus-filled chin zits will ruin your goal. Leaving makeup on your face overnight can lead to clogged pores, and mixed with bacteria and oil, will cause more breakouts. Please take that makeup off at night, OK?!
Chin Acne Treatment
If your primary concern is hormonal chin acne, you might want to start with birth control.
Birth control is said to have a significant impact on breakouts during PMS, by decreasing the circulation of androgens (a hormone that regulates male characteristics). This can also decrease the overproduction of oil.
In addition, for conditions like PCOS, birth control can help regulate periods so that your body and hormone levels are on schedule! Make sure to consult with your ob-gyn before making up your mind. And if birth control is not your jam, some supplements help regulate hormones too.
Two supplements that I love are Beta-Sitosterol and Saw Palmetto. These can inhibit the overproduction of hormones that lead to breakouts. Luckily for you, you can find them in a local supplement shop! After you consult with your doctor, that is!
If your hormones are already under control, your diet is on point, and you’re still getting chin breakouts, it’s time to reevaluate your skincare!
My go-to solution to stay on top of my breakouts is all-natural skincare like the Luminous Clear Skin Kit. Why? Because it's not full of all the synthetic garbage like in other skincare products. It's natural-based, cruelty-free, and can tackle a breakout virtually overnight.
It also helps balance oil production, gets rid of bad bacteria, and can even help remove makeup from the day. Even if I fall into temptation and don’t eat that well, or touch my face too often, a tried and true skincare regimen keeps my skin on the right path.
It's time to reclaim your skin, and Averr Aglow will be with you every step of the way!
