February 03, 2022

How to Get Rid of Stubborn Forehead Bumps

First things first, here's how to spot close comedones AKA whiteheads:

The first step you should take when treating any kind of acne is knowing what type of acne you're dealing with! Similar to whiteheads, fungal acne and milia commonly appear on your skin or forehead as small, raised bumps. So, let's get into how they differ!

Related article: What Type of Acne Do You Have?

Fungal acne is caused by a yeast infection, and can be identified by itchy, small, red bumps. On the other hand, whiteheads are white and non-itchy.

Another potential suspect is milia, which is the result of keratin overgrowth that's trapped underneath the surface of the skin. They appear on your skin as hard, tiny, white bumps. However, unlike whiteheads, which contain pus, the area around milia is not as inflamed or raised.

If you've identified those pesky bumps on your forehead as closed comedones or whiteheads, fret not! They might be annoying, but they are easy to tackle. Here are some of our most effective tips on getting rid of whiteheads on your forehead:

Tips For Treating Close Comedones AKA Whiteheads:

1. Double Cleanse!

An essential step in the K-beauty world, double cleansing consists of two parts: Firstly, using an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, sunscreen and other oil-based impurities, and then following up with a water-based cleanser to remove dead skin cells, bacteria, and other water-based impurities.

By doing two rounds of cleansing, you're helping remove stubborn, pore-clogging and acne-causing impurities that can remain on the skin even after washing your face once.

Browse our full collection of cleansers here.

2. Tea Tree Oil

One of the most popular treatment for acne, tea tree oil has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it excellent at killing acne-causing bacteria and calming inflammation.

If you're looking for a powerful tea tree oil product, you can consider TOUN28's T8 Tea Tree Oil, which contains 100% tea tree oil to keep your skin clean and healthy. However, if you do have easily irritated skin, and you're worried about using a pure tea tree oil product, you can try diluting a drop or two into your moisturiser to make a less potent version!

3. Exfoliate!

By making exfoliation part of your skin care routine, you can ensure you are sloughing off dead skin cells. Less dead cells = less of a chance for whiteheads to form in your pores!

You can go for physical or chemical exfoliation, but we would recommend chemical exfoliation, as they work beyond the surface to really clean and dissolve any impurities lurking beneath your skin. We love the classic COSRX Two in One Poreless Power Liquid to target whiteheads as it can work for all skin types (including sensitive skin!) and can even be used daily. If you're looking for an extra kick in your exfoliating routine, you can use this COSRX product in conjunction with other more potent chemical exfoliators!

4. Retinol

Retinol is known as a miracle ingredient for fighting wrinkles, but it can also do wonders for stubborn whiteheads too. They work on a cellular level to help kickstart your cell turnover rate, reduce inflammation, and decrease oil production—all important for keeping pores clear and skin free of breakouts!

5. Please. Don’t. Pop. Your. Pimples.

As satisfying as it is, popping or picking at them will only increase inflammation, increase the risk for infection and scarring, and prolong the healing process. To avoid the temptation, try applying the COSRX Master Patch X-Large to any areas with whiteheads!