What Causes Cheek Acne (+ How to Solve It)

Dealing with persistent cheek acne? Here’s what might be causing it – and more importantly, what you can do to banish cheek acne for good. 

External Causes of Cheek Acne

There are a couple external factors that are commonly believed to cause cheek acne – particularly if you mostly breakout on one side of the face. 

Dirty Pillowcases

Do you go to bed without taking your makeup off or with products in your hair? Then your pillowcase may be playing a role.

Pillowcases in and of themselves shouldn’t cause breakouts, but if you’re going to sleep with products on your skin and hair (including things you may have forgotten about, like gel or hairspray from the morning), you can find yourself spending 8 hours squishing these products into your skin, especially if you’re a side or stomach sleeper. 

Keep your pillowcase fresh by washing your face every evening before bed, and tying your hair up in a silk scarf if you use hair products to keep it off your face and pillow as you sleep. You should also consider sleeping on your back so your face doesn’t come in contact with the pillow (it’s also better for your posture and helps prevent premature lines and wrinkles on your skin). 

Wash your pillowcase once a week…there is no need to do it more often than that, or to be obsessive about daily pillow washing…it is highly unlikely that your pillowcase is the root cause of your breakouts, especially if you follow these simple tips.  

Cell Phones

If you’re a frequent phone talker, and you find that you're only breaking out on the cheek you typically keep your phone pressed to, there’s a chance your cell phone might have something to do with it.

Our cell phones are exposed to a range of potential pore-cloggers, like sweat, oil, makeup, dirt and whatever is on our fingertips. When you hold your phone up to your ear, all that is pushed  right into your pores, which may increase the likelihood of a breakout on your cheek. 

Aside from switching to a wired or wireless headset or using the speaker function when possible, be sure to wipe your screen down daily with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. 

Internal Causes of Cheek Acne

If you’ve ruled out external causes, it’s time to look inside to see what may be contributing to your cheek acne. 

Diet 

Modern science suggests that all acne - no matter where it is located on the face - can be linked to inflammation. Inflammation can be caused by a variety of factors, but one of the biggest is our diet. 

In fact, this is why researchers from some of the top medical schools, like Harvard, recommend an anti-inflammatory diet as an effective approach to reducing inflammation in the body.

When it comes to acne specifically, research has shown that a high glycemic load diet (AKA a diet high in sugar and refined carbs) is associated with more severe breakouts. This is likely due to this diet’s impact on insulin, hormones, and inflammation. On the flip side, a low glycemic load diet can help reduce acne. 

For more on eating to reduce acne, check out this post on Foods to Eat Or Avoid for Acne-Prone Skin.

Poor Gut Health

The science of the gut-skin connection is fascinating. Researchers have found that compared to those with clear skin, acne patients typically have less microbial diversity in their gut – meaning they have fewer strains of microbes compared to healthy controls. In particular, researchers have found acne patients tend to lack certain beneficial lactobacillus and bifidobacteria strains. 

Acne patients may also be more likely to suffer with constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and leaky gut. 

As we always say here at Kuma HQ, Glowing Skin Starts in the Gut™. 

How to Reduce Cheek Acne from the Inside Out

If you’re ready to say goodbye to cheek acne (and acne in general, for that matter!), here are three science-backed lifestyle changes you can make to clear your skin from within. 

Nourish Your Gut with Probiotics

One of the best, most effective things you can do to support clearer skin from the inside is focus on gut health. Adding fermented foods and a high quality probiotic supplement to your routine supports a healthy gut microbiome.

Studies have even shown that certain probiotic strains like L. rhamnosus SP1 and L. acidophilus can help tackle acne from the inside out. 

That’s why we formulated Glow Biome, as the first and most advanced probiotic supplement that targets the gut-skin connection. Made with six clinically-validated strains – including L. rhamnosus SP1 and L. acidophilus - the formula has been clinically proven to reduce breakouts, normalize sebum production, and even increase skin hydration in as little as 12 weeks. It does this while simultaneously supporting digestion, regularity, and bloating (as mentioned above, constipation and acne are closely linked).

Follow an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

As it says in the name, an anti-inflammatory diet consists of nutrient-dense foods that help lower inflammation levels in the body. In particular, foods loaded with omega-3 fatty acids (such as fatty fish, hemp seeds, and walnuts) are especially beneficial, as these fatty acids have been shown to help reduce inflammation and breakouts. 

An anti-inflammatory diet should also include plenty of fiber-rich vegetables and fruit, which supports gut health and regularity. Aim to eat plants in a rainbow of colors, including (but not limited to!) plenty of dark leafy greens, deeply-pigmented berries, and orange root veggies.