Breakouts on your face are frustrating enough, but when pimples start popping up on your neck, figuring out what’s behind them can be even more tricky. The skin on the neck naturally has fewer oil glands than the skin on the face, but “pimples can (and do) happen on the neck,” says Omaha, NE dermatologist Daniel Schlessinger, MD. However, the culprit isn’t always acne.
What looks like a simple pimple may actually be folliculitis or other skin conditions. To make things even more confusing, the causes tend to differ between men and women. “The skin on the neck can be more sensitive and is frequently exposed to friction, sweat, hair products, fragrances and shaving. These factors can contribute to clogged pores and inflammation,” says Miami dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD.
But that’s just the beginning. We asked experts to clear up what causes breakouts on the neck and how to treat them.
Featured Experts
- Daniel Schlessinger, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Omaha, NE
- Anna Chacon, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Miami
- Janine Hopkins, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Southlake, TX
What Causes Neck Acne in Men?
In men, neck breakouts may be associated with ingrown hairs, friction from collars, sweat and occlusive hair or grooming products, says Dr. Chacon. Southlake, TX dermatologist Janine Hopkins, MD, notes that shaving can also cause perifollicular pustules (pus-filled bumps around the hair follicles) and breakouts. Dr. Schlessinger says “folliculitis, where hair follicles become damaged and inflamed, making them susceptible to bacterial infections,” is the most common cause of neck acne among men.
“Folliculitis often resembles small, red, pimple-like bumps that may or may not be pus-filled,” explains Dr. Schlessinger. “Not washing your neck thoroughly enough, especially after sweating, excessive friction from tight clothing, sitting in certain hot tubs, and shaving irritations can contribute to folliculitis.”
How to Treat Neck Acne in Men
Start with the simplest steps. “I generally recommend minimizing friction and heavy products, using gentle cleansers and avoiding aggressive shaving techniques,” says Dr. Chacon.
If that doesn’t work, see a board-certified dermatologist for a diagnosis. “The key is to determine whether the bumps are truly acne or another condition that can resemble acne, such as folliculitis or irritation,” she explains. “Treatment should be tailored to the underlying cause and the patient’s skin type.”
“If it is folliculitis, a combination of prescription and at-home products may be needed to clear it up effectively,” says Dr. Schlessinger.
“For my male patients having issues with neck pimples, I recommend washing with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser before shaving, then using a shaving gel and clean razor,” says Dr. Hopkins. After shaving, they should apply an over-the-counter astringent or calming product with antioxidants to help reduce inflammation and breakouts.
Laser hair removal is another option, since it reduces hair growth on the neck long-term “so that they don’t have to shave and deal with these post-shaving pimples,” adds Dr. Hopkins.
Dr. Schlessinger recommends CLn Body Wash ($36) for any folliculitis regimen. “It uses sodium hypochlorite, more commonly known as bleach, in a very sophisticated formulation that is gentle enough for the skin. It effectively cleanses skin and decreases the spread of bacteria without irritating or drying out skin.”
If you’re dealing with true acne rather than shaving-related issues, Dr. Chacon says topical treatments such as benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid may be appropriate.
What Causes Neck Acne in Women?
In women, neck acne can be influenced by hair and skin-care products, sweat, friction and certain medications, says Dr. Chacon, who adds that the most common cause of acne on the neck and jawline in female patients is hormonal acne.
“Hormonal acne typically pops up in the lower half of the face and jawline and in some cases, may extend down onto the neck,” says Dr. Schlessinger. “For these patients, I check their hormone levels and address any underlying issues such as polycystic ovarian syndrome,” says Dr. Hopkins. If your neck breakouts are persistent, painful or not improving with over-the-counter care, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.
How to Treat Neck Acne in Women
For female patients, Dr. Hopkins says “cleansers that are medicated such as CLn Facial Cleanser ($35) or even prescription or medical-grade glycolic and salicylic cleansers can help address the acne breakouts on the neck.” She also recommends “a combination of anti-inflammatory antioxidants in a skin-care product or a product with azelaic acid to help clear up these breakouts.” Additionally, “Light therapy is a good choice for treatment using red and blue LED medical-grade lights that have been shown to be anti-acne and anti-inflammatory.”
“Treating pimples on the neck is, for the most part, similar to treating pimples on the face or anywhere else on the body, with a big caveat. The skin on the neck is much thinner, so products that might be okay to use on your face could be too strong for the neck. Often, a gentle approach is best for thin skin on the neck,” says Dr. Schlessinger. Dr. Hopkins notes that while tretinoin (the active ingredient in Retin-A) and other retinoid products are often an acne solution, they may be too irritating on the neck.
Dr. Schlessinger recommends afa Clarifying Gel Cleanser ($46) for anyone who experiences breakouts on the face, jawline or neck. “It contains exfoliating alpha and beta hydroxy acids to unclog pores and rid skin of excess dirt, oil and any makeup that might have been applied down onto the neck.”
For patients with persistent hormonal acne, Dr. Chacon notes that hormonal therapies can be considered with your dermatologist after an individualized evaluation.
Whatever the cause, go slowly. Because the neck may be more prone to irritation, Dr. Chacon notes that acne treatments for both men and women should be introduced gradually and adjusted based on skin sensitivity.
