Eyebrow Acne: How to Treat and Prevent It, According to Dermatologists
Medically reviewed by Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAADFact checked by Anna Harris
It should come as no surprise that most people try their best to maintain the shape of their brows. Between waxing, threading, tweezing, and filling in with all kinds of products, our arches tend to get a lot of attention. But even with all of that grooming, the brow area can experience breakouts– maybe even because of it. Small bumps and inflammation around the outline of the brows can affect anyone as a result of allover acne or something like an ingrown hair.
The good news: eyebrow breakouts can be treated if they do crop up and there are ways to prevent them, too. We spoke to dermatologists, Jessica Weiser and Dendy Engelman about the products that could be causing pimples near the brows and how to prevent brow breakouts from happening in the first place.
Meet the Expert
Jessica Weiser, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder and medical director of Weiser Skin MD in New York City. She specializes in cosmetic and procedural dermatology.
Dendy Engelman, MD, is a New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist at Shafer Clinic and a member of Byrdie's Review Board.
What Causes Eyebrow Pimples
Similar to other forms of acne, eyebrow pimples are caused when a pore or hair follicle becomes clogged with debris such as excess sebum (oil), dirt, makeup, and bacteria. "The medical term for eyebrow pimples is 'folliculitis,' because they occur in an area with hair," says Dr. Engelman. "Folliculitis may be caused by the use of dirty brushes and beauty tools, or brow gels or other makeup that clogs pores."
We're not going to tell you to forgo your hair removal treatments, but it's important to note that they may trigger a brow breakout. This can be due to ingrown hairs or bacteria getting into a follicle after hair has been removed. Because of this, it's crucial that you go to a sanitary salon or that you're taking the proper precautions if you're doing the grooming yourself.
"Breakouts on the brow line can be the result of multiple factors," adds Dr. Weiser. "Mostly, they're caused by tweezing, waxing, and threading—but products like brow gel could be the culprit. Gels have occlusive properties that clog and block pores, leading to blackheads and inflamed breakouts."
In terms of what ingredients, in particular, could be irritating, Dr. Weiser explains, "A variety of ingredients in these gels can contribute to acne including petroleum, silicones such as dimethicone and trimethicone, and VA/VP copolymer."
Gels aren't the only occlusive formula you should be avoiding, though. Your skin care products could be contributing to your breakouts if you're slathering on your creams with abandon.
How to Prevent Eyebrow Pimples
Washing your face before you go to bed and avoiding occlusive skincare and makeup products are important steps for keeping your pores clear of any gunk that might get trapped and ultimately cause a pimple. Be smart when applying your skin care products and avoid getting them in your brows. Another option: brush through brows with a clean spoolie and some micellar water afterward to ensure that they're clean.
"If you are shaping your brows, be sure to prep your skin appropriately first by washing the area in warm water and exfoliating to remove dead skin cells and loosen the hair follicle (unless you’re waxing, in which case you should not irritate the skin further by exfoliating beforehand)," says Dr. Engelman.
It's also a good idea to take note of the cleanliness of your brow tools and brushes. Make sure they receive a good wash every few weeks to help avoid further contamination– old makeup and debris can affect the already acne-prone area.
Byrdie Tip
If you’re experiencing a breakout, it is a good idea to leave your skin bare as much as possible. "If you can’t forego your foundation and brow makeup, opt for clean, non-occlusive, and non-comedogenic formulas that won’t suffocate your skin and worsen your breakout," says Dr. Engelman.
Safe Brow Products to Use
Though there are eyebrow gels that are better for your skin than others, it's true that the pimples may be caused by an overload of product. Dr. Weiser suggests, “Try using a pencil or powder-based brow products, which can help contour and highlight without the occlusive ingredients found in gel formulations.”
She continues, "For people not prone to breakouts, brow gel may be readily tolerable. It is important to test products in a small area before applying to the entire brow region. Any gel containing the causative ingredients has a potential to trigger breakouts."
How to Treat Eyebrow Pimples
"I recommend first cleansing and toning the face to help clarify the skin; I love Humphrey's Witch Hazel Toner, which harnesses the amazing clarifying benefits of organic, wild-grown, pure witch hazel," says Dr. Engelman. Bonus: it's free of irritants like dyes, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and gluten.
"Then, use a spot treatment, which delivers a concentrated dose of active ingredients designed to get rid of blemishes fast." Dr. Engelman's pick is a clear acne gel made with benzoyl peroxide that gets deep into skin's pores, like Humane's Acne Spot Treatment Gel. Antioxidant-rich botanicals soothe any redness while neutralizing free radicals that damage skin. She also recommends Peace Out Acne Dots for on-the-go emergencies that help blemishes disappear fast. They're also helpful in keeping bacteria out and preventing you from touching and further irritating the area.
When you're not actively applying spot treatment, incorporate gentle chemical exfoliants into your routine and keep skin hydrated to prevent more pimples from forming.
Although this product isn't officially a breakout treatment, Dr. Engelman recommends Inde Wild's PM Sunset Restore Serum to patients who need products that won’t irritate or suffocate their skin. "This serum helps unclog pores with 1 percent bakuchiol, while soothing, brightening, and hydrating skin with squalane and peptides," she says.
When to See a Doctor
According to Dr. Engelman, it could take about two weeks after starting an at-home treatment for your acne to disappear, but if you continue to take good care of your skin, it should remain mostly clear. "If you notice that your breakouts are persistent or recurring even after caring for your skin by properly cleansing it, spot treating it, and avoiding occlusive products, it may be time to see your dermatologist and explore alternative solutions," she says, as this could indicate that your acne is caused by other factors, such as hormones, diet, etc.
The Final Takeaway
Eyebrow acne has a few different causes, most of which can be easily treated and prevented at home. If you notice that certain hair removal treatments or brow grooming products lead directly to an acne flare-up, it may be time to try another method or product. The number one thing is to keep the brow area clear of dead skin and product build-up in order to stave off brow breakouts. Should your breakouts persist even after taking the proper precautions, it is best to see your doctor in case there's another explanation for your breakouts.
