Breakout Breakdown: What Do Your Acne Spots Mean?

You’ve woken up from a deep slumber only to discover a cluster of angry red zits sitting on your cheek. Why have they developed there? What does it all mean?

Whether it’s one pimple every now or then or regular breakouts, most of us have had to deal with the battle of the spots. While these blemishes may not always be noticeable to others, it’s easy to feel insecure if our skin isn’t looking its best.

Ever wondered if it’s just a coincidence when you suddenly wake up to a forehead full of spots after neglecting your five-a-day? Or if those juicy zits on your chin have cropped up due to your time of the month?

Well here’s a secret - you’re right, it isn’t down to mere coincidence. The areas in which spots grow on your face can tell you a lot about what’s going on in your body, and how you can reduce those pesky blemishes.

Ready for a game-changer? It’s time to get schooled.

Spots on the Forehead

Forehead scattered with unsightly zits? It could all be down to your diet. Spots on the forehead suggest overconsumption of foods like red meat, saturated fats, and alcohol.

It may be time to cut down on these foods and put the bottle of red away if you want to see those frustrating forehead spots vanish. Try doing a detox, cutting out meat and alcohol in favor of skin-loving foods and drink like fresh vegetables, herbal teas, and plenty of water.

If you have bangs, this can help to hide a spotty forehead. However, it may even be the reason for your blemishes. A fringe can easily gather grease and residue from styling products and sweat, encouraging the pesky pimples to grow in the first place.

Spots on the Cheeks

Developing spots on the cheeks can be particularly frustrating. Not only are they more noticeable than those on other areas of the face, but they’re difficult to conceal. They can be painful and tender too.

Like spots on the forehead, zits on the cheeks can be down to a poor diet. If you overconsume meat, sugar, and dairy, spots are more likely to crop up on your cheeks. Consider cutting down on these food groups to see if the blemishes on your cheeks stop erupting.

Likewise, spots can spread easily from bacteria transferred from your hands, your phone, and your pillowcase. If you can’t resist touching your face (but you should really try), be sure to carry hand sanitizer around with you and cleanse your hands regularly.

It’s also a good idea to wash your pillowcases and wipe down your phone regularly. But be careful – you don’t want to waterlog your beloved iPhone. If the spots on your cheeks persist, seek a little help from GlyMed Plus’s Serious Action Skin Gel. The formula contains the proven acne medication salicylic acid and two alpha-hydroxy acids to eradicate blockage while soothing inflammation and preventing new acne from developing. Say hello to super-smooth cheekbones!

Spots on the Jawline

While spots on the jawline aren’t as noticeable as those on other areas of the face, nobody wants an acne-covered chin, do they?

Again, the cause of spots on the chin is likely to be diet-related. Zits that gather on the jawline suggest congestion in the large intestine which is often a result of eating processed foods.

Processed foods can include anything from straight-in-the-microwave ready meals to super-snackable biscuits, so be conscious of what you’re eating. If you peer at a product’s ingredients list and feel confused reading the items, that’s not a great sign. This suggests it may be packed full of nasty additives.

Opt for fresh, simple foods wherever you can, such as fruit, veggies, and nuts.

Spots on the Chin

Come that time of the month and most of us are prone to a spot (or five) that form on the chin. Hormonal and cystic acne is common, and it’s super frustrating. As if we needed another monthly ‘treat’ from mother nature?

Even as adults, our estrogen and progesterone levels are constantly changing, which can sometimes lead to unwanted flare-ups.

Likewise, stress can also relate to breakouts around the chin area.

Of course, diet can affect your chin area too. The chin mirrors the small intestine, so if you’ve been chowing down the carbs and sugar then it may show on your jawline.

Annoyingly, hormonal acne is harder to treat than ‘usual’ acne. For the best results, try using a face wash or toner containing salicylic acid which can help clear your pores – though we can’t promise those pesky zits won’t pop up to say hello again next month. We’re a fan of the Bioelements Acne Toner that features OTC 0.5% salicylic acid and oil-absorbing botanicals. The formula is created to restore the balance of troubled skin, helping to prevent the formation of new pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Take that, zits!

Still not sure why you’ve got spots? Here are the skincare crimes you may be committing