For most women, acne breakouts on the chin usually occur when it’s their time of the month. That’s why chin acne is often referred to as “hormonal acne.”

And because our chins tend to be a hormonally sensitive area, it's quite difficult to get rid of chin acne compared to other acne that occurs on your face.

Most products you usually use to fix acne elsewhere on your face don’t always work on your chin.

And unlike other facial acne, chin acne is more cystic; large, red, and painful breakouts deep in your skin, making it harder to treat.

Cystic acne is usually caused by hormone changes that can be brought on by menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, or a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome.​

But despite all of this, there are still some simple yet effective remedies to get rid of chin acne. So don’t lose hope guys and don’t start piling concealer onto that acne because it will only make it worse.

What Causes Chin Acne

Acne on the chin forms much like other facial acne, but much deeper in the skin making it larger and more painful. And just like with other acne, chin acne starts when oil and dead skin cells clog up your pores.

Since your chin is a very hormonally sensitive area, this can trigger excess oil production which can clog up pores and can contribute to acne breakouts on the chin.

That’s why hormonal imbalances are usually the leading cause of chin acne. However, there are still other factors that can contribute to breakouts on the chin such as stress, too much dairy in your diet, oil-based cosmetics, over-exfoliation, and headgear with chin straps.

Listed below is a more detailed explanation as to how these factors contribute to acne breakouts on the chin.​

1. Hormonal Imbalances

As I’ve mentioned many times in this article, chin acne is mainly caused by hormonal imbalances in our bodies. Because our chins are a hormonally sensitive area, there’s no denying that hormones may well be the primary reason of your breakouts on the chin.

Hormones stimulate oil production, which promotes acne causing bacteria to grow and encourages pores to become clogged. That’s why, for most women, acne breakouts on the chin usually occur when it's that time of the month.

Because, if you think about it, chin acne tends to be more cystic than any other facial acne which means, clogged pores aren’t your only problem.

2. Stress Imbalance

Stress may not trigger acne, but it can make it worse. When a person is under a lot of stress, the skin produces excess oils which can lead to clogged pores which allows more acne to form.

The same goes for chin acne. The chin is equally sensitive to stress hormones which can only add to the problem of acne breakouts in that area. As more natural oils are produced on your face, specifically your chin, it can clog up your pores and form more acne.

So avoid being in stressful situations because it can only make matter worse. Try to de-stress your mind and take the time to relax.

3. Dairy in Your Diet

Your skin acts as an excretory system to get rid of substances that don’t agree with your body. Dairy is a mucous-forming food which can come out in the form of cystic acne (hard, painful bumps under the skin) on the chin area if you’ve consumed too much of it.

The consumption of milk, cheese and yogurt become factors that influence endogenous hormones and mimic the hormones that trigger oil production in the skin to ignite the acne process. The body may use the chin and jawline area to remove these excess hormones.

Dairy also contains a lot of hormones which can trigger oil production in the skin and eventually lead to acne formation. The body may use the chin area to remove these excess hormones as well.

So try cutting out all forms of dairy (yogurt, milk and all cheeses) from your diet for at least two weeks to see if it lessons your breakouts.

4. You Use Oil-based Cosmetics

Chin acne is also the result of oil-based cosmetics, mainly because it can clog up pores which can trigger acne breakouts. This can happen pretty much everywhere on your face.

The good news is that many cosmetics nowadays come in the form of water-based cosmetics which are less prone to clog up your pores and contribute acne breakouts.

So always remember to remove any makeup before going to bed and cleanse your face to make sure your pores are unclogged.

5. You Over-Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the key to smoother and healthier looking skin. But over-exfoliation only does the opposite, meaning it can dry out the skin and lead to hypersensitivity that can then cause breakouts.

When you do exfoliate correctly, it can help get rid of acne by clearing out dead skin cells that clog up the pores.

But when you’re overdoing it, you’re also getting rid of all those healthy skin cells, which protect your skin’s natural barrier.

Physical exfoliators can burst whiteheads if you aren't careful, causing the bacteria to spread around your face.

Any exfoliator for that matter, if used too aggressively, can cause irritation to already sensitive skin, causing acne to take longer than normal to heal.

6. You Use Head gears with Chin Strap

Acne caused by sports activities is a type of acne called acne mechanica. It often occurs in the areas that come into contact with helmets, shoulder pads, chin straps, and many braces.

The common areas are the forehead, chin, shoulders, and upper back.

For that reason, chin acne can often be the result of prolonged skin irritation from wearing chin straps.

And as sweat gets trapped around the chin, the excess oils can clog up the pores and cause an acne breakout.

How To Get Rid Of Chin Acne​

Unlike other acne you get on your face, chin acne tends to be more cystic; hence, they're much harder to treat and take longer to heal.

Cystic acne develops deep in your skin making them much more painful than common acne. Androgen hormones play a huge role in the development of cystic acne as opposed to common acne which is mainly caused by clogged up pores.

But even though you can’t always do something to prevent acne breakouts on the chin, you can get rid of them with the help of the treatments listed below.

1. Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most frequently used medications for acne treatment. It is well-known for reducing acne-causing bacteria, unclogging pores, and minimizing inflammation.

Because of its popularity, benzoyl peroxide products can come in many forms such as soap, lotion, cream, and gel. In the case of chin acne, benzoyl peroxide in the form of a cream or gel is highly recommended.

In using a cream or gel, apply it directly to the affected area as directed, usually once or twice a day.

But before doing so, gently wash the affected area with a mild cleanser, then pat dry. Apply a small amount of the cream or gel to the affected area and rub it in gently.

When you first start using it, you might notice your skin peeling and turning red which is perfectly reasonable. Give it around 4-6 weeks, and you will start seeing some positive results.

2. Salicylic Acid

Much like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid works effectively in treating acne breakouts.

Unlike benzoyl peroxide, however, it does not kill acne-causing bacteria. It does unclog the pores by breaking down the “cement” between the cells in clogged up pores to unclog them.

Salicylic acid is also less irritating to the skin compared to other acne treatment products, making it better for people with dry and sensitive skin.

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, not only is it effective in fighting off acne but it has a soothing and calming effect on the skin which can reduce redness and irritation.

Salicylic acid also comes in many forms such as cream, gel, lotion, ointment, pads, plaster, shampoo, cleanser and topical solution.

For breakouts on the chin, you might want to use salicylic acid gel to focus on treating that area instead of your entire face.

Before using the salicylic gel, make sure to apply wet packs on your chin for at least 5 minutes.

After doing so, use enough gel to cover the affected area, then rub it in gently.​

3. Tea Tree Oil

If you’re looking for a more natural way to get rid of acne breakouts on your chin, then tea tree oil is for you. It has all the antibacterial properties of benzoyl peroxide without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

This essential oil can penetrate deep into the skin and help unclog the pores to reduce further acne breakouts. Tea tree oil can be applied directly to a pimple making it an excellent alternative to harsh chemicals.

To use, pour a few drops of the tea tree oil onto a cotton pad and gently dab it onto the affected area. Leave it for a few hours or even overnight. There’s no need to wash it off. Before applying it, however, make sure you’ve cleaned the area well and let it dry.

4. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has profound benefits on your skin because of its antioxidant characteristics that help soothe and nourish the skin and antibacterial properties that can assist in treating acne.

Other advantages of lavender oil include its ability to reduce stress and anxiety that are associated with acne breakouts in adults. Also, with its therapeutic properties, it can help improve your quality of sleep, thereby promoting healthy and more radiant skin.

Applying lavender oil is much like using tea tree oil. Simply pour a few drops onto a cotton pad and apply it directly to the chin acne. No need to wash it off. Just remember to clean the chin area well before using the lavender oil.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties which kill acne-causing bacteria. Also, as a natural detoxifier, it deals with free radicals and other harmful toxins that contribute to acne breakouts.

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it reduces the redness, swelling, and pain of cystic acne. It also contains vitamins and minerals essential for your body to fight acne, speed up the healing process, and reduce scarring.

Apple cider vinegar can be used alone or in combination with other ingredients. Although, in treating chin acne, you’re better off using it alone and applying it directly on the chin acne to get better results.

Using a small cotton ball, pour on a few drops of the apple cider vinegar and apply it directly to your chin. Leave it to dry completely. Then rinse it off with water and pat dry. Repeat this process daily.​

The Bottom Line

Chin acne may well be the most difficult facial acne you have to deal with. The worst part is that the typical acne treatments you normally use on your face may not work for your chin acne.

As you might have noticed, the remedies listed above aren’t really specialized for chin acne. That’s because there aren’t really any special products for acne breakouts on the chin. You may just need more of the products you use for acne elsewhere else on your face.

However, these remedies can still help in getting rid of chin acne. And although you can’t prevent future breakouts on the chin, you can still get rid of them when they appear.

You only have your hormones to blame for these painful acne on your chin. So keep your hormones in check and try to avoid stressful situations because this will only add to your breakout problems.​