How to Get Rid of Chin Acne And What Causes It

Noticing more than just a chin pimple? Find a few red, achy bumps on your chin and not sure what’s causing them? You might take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. In fact, somewhere between 80 to 90% of teens experience chin acne at some point in their lives, and it can even continue in adult acne breakouts [1].

But we get it—you’ll likely find even more comfort in knowing what factors are behind your chin acne (or, rather, underneath it), and how to clear chin pimples for good.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the underlying causes of chin acne and how to get rid of it by looking at a few helpful ingredients and strategies to add to your skincare toolkit.

What Causes Chin Acne? 

As the largest organ of the human body, your skin is a complex system with a hefty daily to-do list. The cause of chin acne, and even hormonal acne or cystic acne, isn’t so black-and-white. Often, more than one factor mingles with another to trigger the presence of comedones, or pimples, that can show up on your chin uninvited.

Primary Causes of Chin Acne

• An imbalance of hormones that activates oil production
• Pores clogged with bacteria and other debris causing skin irritation 
• Dietary ingredients that trigger oil-producing hormones

Hormonal Imbalances

A few of the most notable hormones that can affect your skin include [3]:  

• Androgens
• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• Insulin

Hormones are one of the primary bodily elements that control your skin’s sebum, or oil, production. When these hormones are in harmonious balance, sebum levels follow suit—giving you a moisturized, blemish-free appearance. 

However, when these hormones are out of balance, the surplus of one or the absence of another can cause your skin to overcompensate, resulting in acne-prone skin due to overproduction of oil that clogs pores and prevents skin from cleaning or healing.

Although puberty is famously known as a time of acne flare-ups, in fact, hormones like these fluctuate throughout our entire lives [4]. Major life stages cause the most amount of hormonal changes that often causes an adult acne breakout. 

You might find that you develop more chin or other facial blemishes and skin irritation during [5]:

• Puberty
• Menstrual periods
• Menopause, for biological females
• Andropause, for biological males 

Bacteria Build-Up

Excess levels of sebum can clog pores, but other elements like these can, too:

• Dry skin cells
• Dead skin cells
• Polluted air 
• Product residue 

Here’s an example of causal factors of chin acne being interlinked: When hormones in the body are out of balance—for example, the body carrying excess androgens—your skin produces more sebum. And with too much sebum comes (you guessed it) clogged pores. 

Diet and Gut Health

While studies in the dairy sector have been less conclusive, there is some evidence to suggest that dairy products—especially milk that receives added hormones during production—might be more likely to cause acne [6]. These added hormones can compact with those in your body and throw a healthy balance off-kilter. 

Other studies have shown that high-glycemic foods like sugar, white bread, and white rice may contribute to acne on the chin. That’s because of the foods’ ability to spike insulin levels, which in turn, trigger sebum overproduction. In one study, participants who ate a low-glycemic diet for 10 weeks saw an improved complexion, reduced inflammation, and smaller pores [7].

Luckily, there’s science behind fruits that help with acne to heal your body from within.

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Chin Acne-Fighting Ingredients to Look For

On your quest to rid your chin of acne, redness, and inflammation, there are a few experienced ingredients up for the task. Each of these contains components that help to either remove bacteria, unclog pores, balance sebum levels, or all of the above. 

To help clear chin acne, equip your skin care toolkit with products containing: 

• Vitamin D
• Azelaic acid
• Retinol

#1 Vitamin D

As it turns out, the vitamin prevalent in fish, eggs, and good old fashioned sunshine proves to be intrinsically linked with the presence or lack of acne on the skin [8]. 

In fact, several studies have examined the strong relationship between vitamin D and acne on the skin, finding that where acne is present, vitamin D is not—and where vitamin D is present, acne is considerably less so [9]. 

One of the reasons contributing to this relationship is vitamin D’s regulation of the skin’s sebum production. So in times of hormonal fluctuation or when the pores become bogged down with debris, Vitamin D can help stop acne before it starts. That said, more research is needed on the benefits of incorporating topical vitamin D into an acne-fighting regimen.

#2 Azelaic Acid

This naturally occurring acid is a powerhouse against acne that you may not have heard of before. It’s found in organic grains like wheat and barley, and as it turns out, it works wonders on chin acne.

This is because azelaic acid contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that go to work against bacteria-driven breakouts. But the ingredient is also extremely gentle on the skin, so it cleans without irritating. In fact, the acid not only carefully breaks down bacteria in your pores and wipes them away, but it can even clear existing acne scars on its way out [10].

#3 Retinol

This ingredient you might’ve heard about—and for good reason. Retinol is a multi-beneficial ingredient for the skin, as it [11]: 

• Encourages the skin to produce new cells
• Helps clean and clear out clogged pores
• Inhibits acne production with its comedolytic properties
• Reduces redness with its anti-inflammatory properties

It can also help exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells and debris that can’t be scrubbed away with a cleanser alone. So, for a chin that has seen more than a few breakouts, it can lay the foundation for a healthier, cleaner epidermis. 

How To Get Rid Of Chin Acne 

In addition to finding products that supply plenty of the ingredients above, it’s also important to take care of your skin with the right strategies. While more cystic acne may require a trip to the dermatologist for severe acne treatment, many cases can be cleared with a convenient daily trip to your bathroom sink. You can even learn how to shrink a cystic pimple overnight on your own as long as you follow the proper steps.

To that end, considering following these steps to help clear your chin acne: 

1. Cleanse your face daily – Use a clean, non-comedogenic facial cleanser and wash your face every day. Non-comedogenic formulas gently cleanse the skin without leaving residue behind, giving your pores a chance to heal the acne on-site and channel sebum only where it's needed—without overproducing or clogging [12].
2. Don’t forget to moisturize – Moisturize your skin with a hydrating formula. A daily moisturizer with SPF gives your skin the hydration it craves to prevent overcompensation with excess oil. In turn, sebum levels balance out, and your pores stay clog-free. Better yet, choose a moisturizer packed with SPF to protect acne-covered skin from UV irritation.
3. Use products with Vitamin D, azelaic acid, and retinol – Nourish your skin regularly with skin care products that contain natural, acne-fighting ingredients, like vitamin D, azelaic acid, and retinol, which provide powerful acne-fighting results that are also gentle on sensitive chin acne. In other words, instead of popping painful pimples, turn to products that can clear them from the inside out. 
4. Eat a low-glycemic diet – To help keep your hormones in symbiotic balance, mind what you eat. Favor non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like nuts and olive oil to help keep your gut at a low-glycemic level. Remember, offering your body low-glycemic foods can help it keep your oil-producing hormones—and chin acne—in check.

Formulate a skin routine catered to you – Every skin (and every chin) is different, meaning every skincare routine should be uniquely formulated for each individual. Whether you’re donning more sensitive skin, rosacea redness, or a complex combination, arm your skincare supply with bespoke products.

It’s important to note that while some steps here are applicable, it’s best to learn the specifics of each area if you want to know how to get rid of forehead acne, cheek acne, or nose acne.

Clear Clogged Pores And Nourish Your Skin with PROVEN

The skin is complex, and the causes of chin acne might feel even more so. But the solution doesn’t have to be severe acne treatment. You just need to treat your skin with products that contain natural ingredients designed for your unique skin conditions—from chin acne to excess oil. And that’s exactly what the PROVEN 3-step system does. 

Following a quick skincare quiz, our expert team assesses your skin concerns, needs, and goals, then creates a skincare routine designed specifically for your one-of-a-kind skin biome.

With scientifically-proven and pronounceable ingredients, our products can effectively cleanse your pores, replenish your skin, and leave you feeling confident. 

Take our skin quiz today to get started.