Can dandruff cause acne

It is a common frustration: you finally get your facial skincare routine under control, only to notice stubborn breakouts along your hairline, forehead, or jawline. If you are also dealing with an itchy, flaky scalp, you might be wondering, can dandruff cause acne?

The connection between your scalp and your skin is closer than you think. While dandruff doesn't "infect" your skin in the traditional sense, the conditions that cause those white flakes can absolutely trigger breakouts on your face and back.

Understanding How Dandruff Causes Acne

Dandruff is an excess growth of Malassezia yeast, like fungus which feeds on skin oils. When fungal spores and oily flakes travel from your hair to your face, they can cause various skin problems.

• Clogged pores: Skin flakes from the scalp that fall on the face can mix with the natural sebum of the skin thus physically blocking the pores.

• Fungal Acne: In some cases, the 'acne' caused by dandruff is not regular acne at all. It may be pityrosporum folliculitis (fungal acne), which is characterized by small, itchy bumps that do not get better by using normal pimple creams.

• Product Buildup: The use of heavy oils and conditioners to treat dry scalps results in their migrating to the forehead, thus bacteria are trapped against the skin.

Dandruff vs. Traditional Acne: Key Differences

Identifying whether your scalp is the culprit can help you choose the right treatment.

How to prevent breaking out at the hairline

If you think that your scalp is the cause, then a face wash alone won't do the trick. You need a plan. Use an anti, dandruff shampoo with zinc pyrithione or ketoconazole for washing your hair. After washing, turn your head away from the sink while rinsing to avoid the runoff from reaching your face. Moreover, make sure you change your pillowcases regularly so that you do not lie on a bed of skin flakes and oils.

The Takeaway:

Dandruff can become the cause of acne if it keeps on producing and releasing to the skin oil and fungus. These can clog the pores and irritate the skin causing fungal breakouts. Scalp treatment is usually the "missing link" to getting a clear face and hairline."