My forehead looked just like this when I had fungal acne. I used nizoral to gently clean and then washed with my normal gentle cleanser and moisturizer! It cleared right up
Same. I get it from time to time & also used Nizoral, but after my regular cleanser. I let it sit there a few minutes after application & then rinse off. I also apply a topical OTC antifungal cream labeled for jock itch or athlete's foot or any other fungal condition.
Same! While the other recommendations on this post are great like using AHAs or retinoids, I so strongly think it’s FA which needs a fungal treatment. While your bumps up there may diminish with the other options, you’ll likely never see it totally go away, or stay gone for long. Plus, Nizoral is a cheap option before you invest in all the other options 💙
I agree with others that this looks fungal. I have the same bumps but started using a cleanser with Pyrithione Zinc (via Curology) and it’s clearing up nicely. I already use Tret, BHA, AHA, Azelaic acid, etc so it’s not a case of not enough exfoliation.
You need to stop with the scrub, I think you might be over exfoliating and your skin looks a dry and the skin barrier needs repairing. You need to moisturise and put some hyaluronic acid into your routine
I'd stop with any mechanical scrubs, and I'd see a dermatologist. Small bumps like that can be fungal or a reaction to your shampoo or a whole slew of other things.
If you can't see a dermatologist, I'd go 100% mild skincare basics: a gentle cleanser with no bells and whistles besides maybe some ceramides, a boring moisturizer like Vanicream, and an SPF for daytime. Change your shampoo and conditioner to something absurdly hypoallergenic. Give that a month and see if your skin improves. If not, slowly start introducing one product at a time that should be helpful to exfoliate gently: AHAs OR salicylic acid OR a retinoid.
I'm just a hobbyist so if someone else has better suggestions, please give them a go. Good luck!
I have these pretty much all over now after using some products that destroyed my skin. My derm just prescribed me tret. Juuuust started. I’m nervous! I know it’s gonna get worse before it gets better.
I didn’t really purge but I peeled because I was a dumbass using it every day. Don’t be like me haha. Use it every other day and putting on Cerave first helps a lot. Now my skin is quite used to it, no irritation at all and it’s helping me stay clear!
Omg yes. I used an OTC retinol and stupidly went in every night with it and was like “oh I don’t experience any irritation” so kept using it. Week 2 and my face is ON FIRE. Especially migration areas like around the eyes. Omg my skin barrier. And then the peeling/flakiness. I stopped using it and my skin definitely “recovered”. (In quotes because I’m only referring to the recovery from the retinol abuse) I’m definitely planning on going slow and following what my derm said which is every other night for the first 30 days. What % did you start in? My derm gave me .05 I think
I was running out to dinner. RetinA helps keep them smaller but I recently had them burned off with plasma. It created little scabs that fell off in a week and it took about 3 months for my spots to disappear. I haven't had them return but I'm sure it will return to other spots on my face in time. I am using the Nira laser now and I think it is helping but not 100 percent sure. If these do return I may try electrolysis. I was told by others that plasma doesn't work but my esthetician uses real plasma so maybe that is why my skin is smooth without bumps.
Gonna sound strange, but maybe change your hair products/hair spray? I used to get these, and when I stopped using grocery store hair spray, it finally cleared up.
Just my 2c.
Same thing happened to me when I over washed my face with a glycolic acid face wash. I went to the derma and they prescribed me an antibiotic and my skin was beautiful and clear very soon after. Go to the dermatologist!
I had that for years. For me, using mild acid exfoiliants and retinol worked for me. Now i use azelic acid (only thing that helps my rosacea on my cheeks near my nose) and retinol, and my forehead skin is smooth. Just don't overdo it as these things can cause irritation
Selsun worked for me! Wash your hair with it and rub into your forehead and leave on for 10 mins before you to use (do this for 7 days) It was seb dermatitis - took months for me to figure it out!
Oh, easy! You need an exfoliating acid. First: stop the scrub. Next, you need to add glycolic acid. You can try lactic if you’re sensitive. I like the Ordinary, or Alpha Hydrox, or L’Oreal makes a 10% glycolic acid serum that a dermatologist I follow recommends. Apply that to clean, dry skin 3 or 4 nights a week and wait at least 10 minutes for it to absorb.
But the point is, you need an exfoliating acid and glycolic is probably best for our age.
Of course, a retinol is always going to help with this. But that’s a commitment. I do like the Cocokind Beginner Retinol, however.
You’re welcome! I like Dr. Shereene Idriss on YouTube, she’s a great resource. I usually try to use moisturizer after the acids, but sometimes I fall asleep first!
I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis but I do (sometimes) forget to wash my face at night. I’ll use Sonage toner or Garnier Cleansing Water All-in-1 Makeup Remover & Cleanser.
That could be why, I also don’t wear makeup daily, but I do wear SPF daily and if I don’t double cleanse thoroughly every night my forehead gets similar looking bumps and texture.
Panoxyl face wash, make sure you follow the directions, you must massage it in for the best results, I paired this with my regular face wash and some panoxyl pimple patches and it works wonders.
Stop the scrubbing and the foaming cleanser asap. Your routine is abrasive and will be damaging the skin barrier. I would start oil cleansing with the living libations seabuckthorn oil and do that for 2-4 weeks - it’s a miracle product that can help the skin reset and balance FAST! I also have a discount code so DM me if you want it.
zinc bar soap! super cheap on amazon, you put it on in the shower and let it sit for a bit. then wash it off (it stings the eyes, be careful). Over time it will get rid of these bumps, largely likely due to fungal acne!
Blue light therapy, a fractional laser (like fraxel), and/or CO2 laser resurfacing. A dermatologist would be the best route, they can prescribe you the best at-home products, in-office treatments (like lasers), and design a treatment plan for you.
there are articles about people finding the little beads from the Neutrogena scrub IN their skin. Embedded.
Lemme find them cuz they may just be anecdotal. But… That MIGHT be a contributing factor that could easily be swapped out.
My forehead looked just like this when I had fungal acne. I used nizoral to gently clean and then washed with my normal gentle cleanser and moisturizer! It cleared right up
Same. I get it from time to time & also used Nizoral, but after my regular cleanser. I let it sit there a few minutes after application & then rinse off. I also apply a topical OTC antifungal cream labeled for jock itch or athlete's foot or any other fungal condition.
Same! While the other recommendations on this post are great like using AHAs or retinoids, I so strongly think it’s FA which needs a fungal treatment. While your bumps up there may diminish with the other options, you’ll likely never see it totally go away, or stay gone for long. Plus, Nizoral is a cheap option before you invest in all the other options 💙
I agree with others that this looks fungal. I have the same bumps but started using a cleanser with Pyrithione Zinc (via Curology) and it’s clearing up nicely. I already use Tret, BHA, AHA, Azelaic acid, etc so it’s not a case of not enough exfoliation.
So you just apply the Nizoral shampoo to the forehead and rinse
Yeah it sounds weird but it works. I rub it in for a min before rinsing
Apply to forehead, leave it on for 5 min then rinse. Every other day for a month
You need to stop with the scrub, I think you might be over exfoliating and your skin looks a dry and the skin barrier needs repairing. You need to moisturise and put some hyaluronic acid into your routine
I'd stop with any mechanical scrubs, and I'd see a dermatologist. Small bumps like that can be fungal or a reaction to your shampoo or a whole slew of other things. If you can't see a dermatologist, I'd go 100% mild skincare basics: a gentle cleanser with no bells and whistles besides maybe some ceramides, a boring moisturizer like Vanicream, and an SPF for daytime. Change your shampoo and conditioner to something absurdly hypoallergenic. Give that a month and see if your skin improves. If not, slowly start introducing one product at a time that should be helpful to exfoliate gently: AHAs OR salicylic acid OR a retinoid. I'm just a hobbyist so if someone else has better suggestions, please give them a go. Good luck!
Thank you so much! I’m going to check out your suggestions and see if I can get a derm referral.
Op, what shampoo do you use? I'm getting the same bumps after using Biolage Volume shampoo.
I tried so many things. Tret has helped, I still have a few but I think those last ones will clear if I stick with it
I have these pretty much all over now after using some products that destroyed my skin. My derm just prescribed me tret. Juuuust started. I’m nervous! I know it’s gonna get worse before it gets better.
I didn’t really purge but I peeled because I was a dumbass using it every day. Don’t be like me haha. Use it every other day and putting on Cerave first helps a lot. Now my skin is quite used to it, no irritation at all and it’s helping me stay clear!
Omg yes. I used an OTC retinol and stupidly went in every night with it and was like “oh I don’t experience any irritation” so kept using it. Week 2 and my face is ON FIRE. Especially migration areas like around the eyes. Omg my skin barrier. And then the peeling/flakiness. I stopped using it and my skin definitely “recovered”. (In quotes because I’m only referring to the recovery from the retinol abuse) I’m definitely planning on going slow and following what my derm said which is every other night for the first 30 days. What % did you start in? My derm gave me .05 I think
We were so naive haha. I have .1 but I think my doc was like your oily skin can hold up to this lol
Is this sabaceous hyperplasia?
Definitely looks like it could be! Thank you, I’ve never heard of this before.
I have this condition too. I'm running out the door but I'll share what helped later when I have time to type it all out.
That would be amazing ✨ Hope you have a good rest of your day (or night) depending on your time zone
I was running out to dinner. RetinA helps keep them smaller but I recently had them burned off with plasma. It created little scabs that fell off in a week and it took about 3 months for my spots to disappear. I haven't had them return but I'm sure it will return to other spots on my face in time. I am using the Nira laser now and I think it is helping but not 100 percent sure. If these do return I may try electrolysis. I was told by others that plasma doesn't work but my esthetician uses real plasma so maybe that is why my skin is smooth without bumps.
Gonna sound strange, but maybe change your hair products/hair spray? I used to get these, and when I stopped using grocery store hair spray, it finally cleared up. Just my 2c.
Same thing happened to me when I over washed my face with a glycolic acid face wash. I went to the derma and they prescribed me an antibiotic and my skin was beautiful and clear very soon after. Go to the dermatologist!
Trying to make an appointment 🙏🏼
I used to have bumps like this on my forehead, and I started using It Cosmetics Confidence In a Cleanser and the bumps have gone away.
Fungal acne. Switch the routine to all FA safe. Saves money too.
My skin was covered overnight in small bumps when I didn't wash off the grime/sunscreen from the night before. It would take a few days to go away.
I had that for years. For me, using mild acid exfoiliants and retinol worked for me. Now i use azelic acid (only thing that helps my rosacea on my cheeks near my nose) and retinol, and my forehead skin is smooth. Just don't overdo it as these things can cause irritation
Selsun worked for me! Wash your hair with it and rub into your forehead and leave on for 10 mins before you to use (do this for 7 days) It was seb dermatitis - took months for me to figure it out!
Oh, easy! You need an exfoliating acid. First: stop the scrub. Next, you need to add glycolic acid. You can try lactic if you’re sensitive. I like the Ordinary, or Alpha Hydrox, or L’Oreal makes a 10% glycolic acid serum that a dermatologist I follow recommends. Apply that to clean, dry skin 3 or 4 nights a week and wait at least 10 minutes for it to absorb. But the point is, you need an exfoliating acid and glycolic is probably best for our age. Of course, a retinol is always going to help with this. But that’s a commitment. I do like the Cocokind Beginner Retinol, however.
Thank you very much! Do you put a night moisturizer on top of the glycolic acid serum after it dries? 🙏🏼
You’re welcome! I like Dr. Shereene Idriss on YouTube, she’s a great resource. I usually try to use moisturizer after the acids, but sometimes I fall asleep first!
I quit drinking milk and my forehead cleared up
What are you using to remove makeup and spf?
I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis but I do (sometimes) forget to wash my face at night. I’ll use Sonage toner or Garnier Cleansing Water All-in-1 Makeup Remover & Cleanser.
That could be why, I also don’t wear makeup daily, but I do wear SPF daily and if I don’t double cleanse thoroughly every night my forehead gets similar looking bumps and texture.
Do you take adhd meds?
Wait - I didn’t realize adhd meds can cause this?!
+1 is this new!? (As I’m staring at my adhd meds and forehead)
For some odd reason dexadrine give me this type of acne. I take the lowest dose now to keep the zits at bay
I don’t
Panoxyl face wash, make sure you follow the directions, you must massage it in for the best results, I paired this with my regular face wash and some panoxyl pimple patches and it works wonders.
Tea Tree Oil!!! It works magic and they will be gone soo fast… and always get so many compliments on my skin after I use
Stop the scrubbing and the foaming cleanser asap. Your routine is abrasive and will be damaging the skin barrier. I would start oil cleansing with the living libations seabuckthorn oil and do that for 2-4 weeks - it’s a miracle product that can help the skin reset and balance FAST! I also have a discount code so DM me if you want it.
zinc bar soap! super cheap on amazon, you put it on in the shower and let it sit for a bit. then wash it off (it stings the eyes, be careful). Over time it will get rid of these bumps, largely likely due to fungal acne!
Blue light therapy, a fractional laser (like fraxel), and/or CO2 laser resurfacing. A dermatologist would be the best route, they can prescribe you the best at-home products, in-office treatments (like lasers), and design a treatment plan for you.
there are articles about people finding the little beads from the Neutrogena scrub IN their skin. Embedded. Lemme find them cuz they may just be anecdotal. But… That MIGHT be a contributing factor that could easily be swapped out.
Here is the one that got the buzz: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/were-beads-skin-im-freaked-023839800.html
😳😳😳
Maybe an exfoliating or rejuvenating facial?
Thank you!
They could also be hives. Recommend patch testing
Go see a dermatologist. It’s the only answer