Why You Get Acne Behind Your Ears & How to Stop It

Globally, there are several people who think of acne as something which generally occurs on the forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, chest or even back. Sometimes you just have noticed that those annoying little bumps actually show up in a place you don't really expect at all. It can be behind the ears.

You may notice a small pimple while washing your hair
You may feel a tender bump when you put on your glasses
You may discover several tiny bumps around the area behind your ear

Usually they look like just ordinary pimples. Other times they are painful, itchy or even filled with fluid which are basically pus-filled pimples.

So, the question comes here: is it actually behind ear acne or really something else?

Sometimes. But not always possible.

The skin behind your ears contains hair follicles as well as oil glands. So acne can develop there. At the same time, there are many factors which may lead to ear pimples.

These can be:

Sweat
Hair products
Friction
Headphones
Spectacles
Jewellery
Poor rinsing of shampoo

All these can totally irritate the area as well as cause bumps that look very similar to acne.

This is why treating each and every behind-the-ear bump or pimple with a strong acne product is not actually the best idea.

Let's understand all these in this blog:

What are ear acne causes
What you can do at home to address this concern
When you actually need to see a dermatologist
Where products such as Alite can fit into your skincare routine

Can You Actually Get Acne Behind Your Ears?

Yes.

Acne can occur anywhere there are hair follicles and sebaceous glands. The area behind your ears has both.

When excess sebum combines with dead skin cells as well as blocks a follicle then a small bump can develop. If inflammation occurs, it can turn into a red or painful pimple.

However, acne is not the only explanation.

Ear acne causes can be due to:

Folliculitis
Irritant dermatitis
Contact allergy
Ingrown hairs
Sweat as well as friction
Hair-product buildup
Cysts
Bacterial or fungal infections
Insect bites
Other skin conditions

What Does Behind-the-Ear Acne Look Like?

If it is genuine acne, you may notice familiar acne lesions such as:

Whiteheads

Small closed bumps caused by blocked follicles

Blackheads

Open clogged pores that appear dark because of oxidation, not because the skin is dirt

Red pimples

Inflamed bumps that can be tender

Pustules

Inflamed bumps containing pus

Why Do Pimples Develop Behind the Ear?

1. Excess Oil

The sebaceous glands which are present behind your ears produce sebum. If your skin is naturally oily then there may be more oil around the area. When oil mixes with dead skin cells, it can totally contribute to clogged follicles. This is the same basic process that happens in facial acne.

2. Sweat

India's hot as well as humid weather can make this particularly noticeable.

Sweat can accumulate behind the ears which is especially during:

Exercise
Outdoor activities
Travelling
Summer
Sports
Long commutes

If sweat remains trapped for hours, the area can totally become irritated. Sweat itself doesn't necessarily cause acne. Here, the combination matters. Moisture, oil, friction as well as product buildup can totally contribute to breakouts or follicular irritation.

3. Hair Products

This is one of the most overlooked causes which may lead to ear pimples.

You might use:

Hair oil
Conditioner
Serum
Hair mask
Styling cream
Gel
Wax
Spray

Some products can remain around the hairline as well as behind the ears. If you don't rinse the area in a very proper manner then residue can build up.

If you notice that your behind-the-ear bumps which appear after changing a hair product, consider whether the two events could be connected.

4. Shampoo and Conditioner Residue

Sometimes the problem isn't what you intentionally put behind your ears. It's what you don't rinse away. During a shower, shampoo as well as conditioner run down your scalp, neck and behind your ears.

If you rinse in a rapid manner then some residue can remain. This is particularly relevant if you use rich or heavily conditioning hair products. After washing your hair, take a few seconds to rinse the area behind both ears thoroughly.

5. Headphones and Earbuds

Headphones can trap:

Sweat
Oil
Dirt
Bacteria
Product residue

Over-ear headphones may repeatedly rub against the skin behind the ears. If you're wearing them for several hours every day, this combination can totally cause irritation as well as follicular problems. Clean your headphones regularly all by following the manufacturer's instructions. If the area is irritated then you need to give it a break from prolonged headphone use where possible.

6. Spectacles

If you wear glasses, look at where the arms of your spectacles sit. The area behind the ears experiences repeated contact and friction. If the frame isn't cleaned regularly, it can also lead to the overall accumulation of oil as well as sweat. You don't necessarily need to stop wearing your glasses. Simply keep the frames clean. You need to make sure that they're not causing unnecessary pressure or rubbing.

7. Jewellery

Earrings as well as other jewellery can cause problems if:

The material totally irritates your skin.
The jewellery isn't cleaned.
Sweat becomes trapped.
You have a metal allergy.
The area is repeatedly rubbed.

A reaction to jewellery may look different from acne.

8. Pillowcases

Your face is not the only part of your body which generally touches your pillow. Your ears and the area behind them are also in contact with it for hours.

Pillowcases can collect:

Sweat
Sebum
Hair products
Skincare residue

Changing pillowcases regularly can totally help keep the sleeping environment cleaner. It isn't a guaranteed acne cure but it's a sensible hygiene habit.

9. Not Washing the Area Properly

Some people clean their face and completely forget the areas around the ears. Others wash their hair and assume the shampoo has cleaned everything. The area behind the ear can easily be overlooked. When you take a shower, gently cleanse around the outer ear as well as behind it. Don't push cleanser into the ear canal.

Can You Use a Face Wash Behind Your Ears?

Usually, the skin behind the ears can be gently cleansed with a suitable facial cleanser.

If you're already using a cleanser for oily or acne-prone skin then you do not really need a separate product to address the concern.

For example, Alite Neem & Aloe Vera Face Wash is a soap-free facial cleanser which is power packed with Neem Liquid Extract, Aloe Vera Dry Extract and 1% Niacinamide. It is ideal for oily, acne-prone, sensitive as well as combination skin.

You can gently cleanse the external skin behind the ears with a suitable cleanser, provided the product doesn't irritate you.

But remember that don't put facial cleanser into your ear canal.

The overall goal is to clean the skin behind as well as around the ear, not inside the ear.

How to Use a Cleanser for Behind-the-Ear Pimples

Step 1

Wet your face and the skin around the ears.

Step 2

Take a small amount of Cleanser.

Step 3

Gently massage the external skin behind the ears.

Don't scrub.

Step 4

Rinse thoroughly.

Step 5

Dry by patting in a very gentle manner with a clean towel.

Things You Should Avoid

Don't squeeze the bumps
Don't scratch them
Don't scrub aggressively
Don't apply lemon juice
Don't use toothpaste
Don't pour alcohol or sanitiser onto the skin
Don't apply multiple acids at once
Don't put skincare products inside the ear canal
Don't ignore a persistent lump

See a dermatologist if:

The bumps keep coming back.
They are painful or deep.
They are spreading.
They bleed or discharge.
You have significant swelling.
The area is intensely itchy.
You develop a rash.
A lump remains for weeks.
You suspect a cyst.
Over-the-counter skincare isn't helping.
You develop fever or feel unwell alongside a painful swollen area.

How to Prevent Behind-the-Ear Acne

Keep the area clean

Gently cleanse behind your ears every day

Rinse shampoo properly

Pay particular attention to the hairline and behind the ears

Manage hair products

Try to keep heavy products away from facial and behind-the-ear skin

Clean headphones

Especially if you wear them for hours every day

Clean your glasses

If you wear spectacles, wipe the frames regularly

Change pillowcases regularly

Especially if you sweat heavily or use hair oils

Shower after exercise

Don't let sweat remain on the skin for hours

Don't touch the area constantly

Your hands can transfer oil and irritants

Final Thoughts

Behind ear acne is possible but every bump behind your ear is not really acne.

The area can be affected by excess oil, clogged follicles, sweat, friction, hair products, headphones, glasses, jewellery as well as shampoo residue. At the same time, other conditions such as folliculitis, dermatitis as well as cysts can produce similar-looking bumps. That's why the first step isn't to throw every acne product you own at the problem. Start with good hygiene as well as gentle cleansing.

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, a cleanser which is highly power packed with neem can really be a useful part of the routine. Alite Neem & Aloe Vera Face Wash combines Neem Liquid Extract, Aloe Vera Dry Extract as well as 1% Niacinamide in a soap-free facial cleanser which is totally designed for oily, acne-prone, sensitive and combination skin.

For more targeted acne care, Alite's Anti-Acne Gel combines niacinamide, Silanediol Salicylate, Contacticel™ and Neem Leaf Extract. Alite also offers a neem-based bathing soap and other products for oily and acne-prone skin. But remember the most important rule. Make sure not to assume every bump is acne. If it keeps returning, becomes painful, grows larger, feels like a lump or does not actually improve with basic skincare then make sure to get it checked.

Behind your ears may not actually be the first place when it comes to AM and PM skincare. You need to know that it deserves the same gentle, sensible approach as the rest of your skin.