What’s best for your hair isn’t always what’s best for your skin. While a hydrating hair-care routine can tame frizz, define curls, and lock in moisture, it can also wreak havoc on your complexion. “Many of the comedogenic ingredients in hair products work great for hydrating the hair, but let’s face it — they can cause acne,” says board-certified dermatologist Hope Mitchell, especially along your hairline, neck, and back. “Even if you’ve never had acne, some hair products can cause breakouts. The bumps can be subtle, or bold whiteheads that can be spotted across the room.”
In order to prevent hair-care-induced acne, as well as other skin conditions like psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, or even dandruff, board-certified dermatologist Sapna Palep of Spring Street Dermatology recommends to first eliminate a (rather long) list of comedogenic ingredients from your routine. “I tell patients the most problematic ingredients are oils like coconut, argan, palm kernel, apricot kernel, wheat germ, olive, and moroccan. You also want to avoid a lot of heavy petrolatum, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium chloride, isopropyl myristate, fragrance. Too much glycerin is tough for the skin, too.”