Does Dandruff Cause Acne? – Proven Treatments & Tips To Avoid It

How Does Dandruff Cause Acne?

When sebaceous glands produce excessive oil it can lead to dandruff and acne. Hormonal changes, stress, an imbalanced diet, overuse of cosmetics or reaction to certain medicines can drive sebaceous glands to become overactive. When our scalp produces excessive oil, it results in dandruff. Similarly, when the body produces more oil on the face through the pores, it combines with dead skin cells and dirt, resulting in inflammation of the skin. So the answer to the question, if dandruff causes pimples on the forehead is a straight yes. Sometimes, the problem may start from the scalp and then proceed to the face. Dandruff coming in contact with the forehead may clog the hair follicles and result in acne. The acne can then affect the rest of the face.

How To Remove Pimples Caused By Dandruff?

Here’s how you can improve your scalp health to get rid of pimples caused by dandruff:

1. Start Using An Anti-dandruff Shampoo:

Use a medicated shampoo, preferably containing zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, selenium sulphide, etc. These ingredients have anti-fungal properties and can significantly impact the health of the scalp.

2. Limit The Usage Of Hair Styling Products:

Excessive use of hair sprays, gels, and heat styling equipment such as hair straighteners can make your scalp flaky and prone to skin irritation. Limit their usage and switch to high quality products to minimise damage.

3. Lime Juice For The Scalp:

Add a few drops of lime juice to hair oil and massage your scalp with it. Leave it for about half an hour and wash with a mild medicated shampoo. Lime balances the pH of your scalp, keeping dandruff in control. Its anti-microbial properties help treat dandruff. [1]

4. Hot Oil Massage:

Sometimes, an excessively dry scalp results in an overproduction of sebum, so always keep your scalp moisturised. Treat your hair with a hot oil massage once or twice a week. Use coconut oil or tea tree oil for best results.

How To Treat Dandruff-Related Facial Acne?

Here are a few tips on how to treat pimples caused by dandruff:

1. Avoid using harsh skincare and makeup products.
2. Wash your hair once or twice a week. Washing it too often can dry your scalp, and not washing it enough can make it oily.
3. Both of these factors can cause acne.
4. Brush your hair with a wide tooth comb regularly as it removes the dead cells and flakes.
5. Regularly wash the things you use on your hair, such as comb, clips, personal use items, such as, towel, etc.
6. If you have dandruff-infested hair, use a hair band or follow a hairstyle that doesn’t allow your hair to come in contact with your face.

Best Skincare Routine For Acne-prone Skin And Dandruff

1. Gentle Cleansing:

Best Haircare Routine For Dandruff

Choose an anti-dandruff shampoo containing ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, or selenium sulfide. Choose a hair cleanser enriched with neem, lemon, hibiscus, and fenugreek for a natural alternative.

Avoid excessive use of conditioner, as it can make your hair greasy and exacerbate dandruff issues. Apply conditioner along the length of your hair, avoiding the scalp, and rinse thoroughly to prevent buildup.

Regularly massaging your scalp to combat acne caused by dandruff can enhance overall health and help control acne. A gentle, hot coconut oil massage improves blood circulation, reduces dryness, and offers anti-inflammatory benefits, restricting fungal growth on the scalp.

Additional Tips

In addition to the above steps, a few lifestyle changes can help treat pimples due to dandruff.

Avoid excessive consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and dairy products, as they can exacerbate acne breakouts and worsen skin issues.

Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your meals to provide essential nutrients that help restore hormonal balance, a common cause of acne and dandruff.

Stress significantly contributes to hormonal imbalances that can lead to acne and dandruff. To maintain overall health, incorporate stress-relief practices such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises into your routine.

Washing your hair too often can strip its natural oils, making dandruff worse.

If acne or dandruff persists or becomes severe, consult dermatologist for effective management and tailored treatment.

Best Ways To Manage Dandruff And Acne

Here are two ingredients that can help you fight both acne and dandruff woes, so apply them on your scalp and skin:

• Aloe Vera:

Aloe vera effectively helps soothe acne as it has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. [2] Enriched with the goodness of amino acids and antioxidants, aloe vera is the perfect ingredient for a face mask or a face cream. The anti-inflammatory property of aloe vera also helps treat dandruff when applied on the scalp.

• Apple Cider Vinegar:

Apple cider vinegar has an acidic effect, which may help restrict the buildup of dead cells on your scalp. It balances the skin’s pH level, thus fighting dandruff and acne. The antimicrobial property of apple cider vinegar helps unclog pores and, therefore prevents acne. [3]

Takeaway

Both dandruff and acne can be frustrating as they are persistent and take time to resolve. Patience is the key. Analyse your lifestyle, identify the root cause, and then inculcate changes for healthy skin and scalp.