5 Weird Places Acne Shows Up (And What to Do About It)

Acne is usually associated with the face, but in reality, breakouts can show up in places that catch people completely off guard. When acne appears in unusual areas, it often leads to confusion, over-treatment, or panic.

In Derm School, the focus is understanding why acne shows up where it does and how to respond safely, without myths or aggressive fixes.

Let’s look at five unexpected places acne commonly appears and what dermatologists recommend doing about it.

1. Along the Hairline and Scalp

Breakouts along the hairline are commonly mistaken for stubborn facial acne, but they are often triggered by haircare habits.

Why it happens

• Hair oils, serums, and conditioners clog pores along the hairline
  
  
• Sweat trapped under helmets or caps
  
  
• Infrequent scalp cleansing
  

In some cases, this can also be folliculitis rather than true acne.

What to do

• Wash the hairline after using heavy hair products
  
  
• Avoid leaving oil or conditioner residue on the skin
  
  
• Do not aggressively scrub the scalp, as this worsens inflammation
  

If bumps are itchy and uniform, a dermatologist should evaluate for folliculitis.

2. Jawline and Chin

Jawline acne is one of the most common but misunderstood acne patterns.

Why it happens

• Hormonal fluctuations increase oil production
  
  
• Stress influences androgen levels
  
  
• Mask friction or frequent face-touching
  

Jawline acne often feels deeper and more painful than forehead or cheek acne.

What to do

• Avoid picking or squeezing, as scarring risk is high
  
  
• Be patient, as hormonal acne responds slowly
  
  
• If acne is persistent or cyclical, a dermatologist evaluation is important
  
  

3. Back of the Neck and Shoulders

This area is frequently overlooked and exposed to constant friction.

Why it happens

• Friction from collars, backpacks, or sports gear
  
  
• Sweat buildup
  
  
• Haircare products running down the neck
  

This area is especially prone to acne mechanica, which is acne triggered by repeated friction and pressure.

What to do

• Shower soon after heavy sweating
  
  
• Avoid tight collars when possible
  
  
• Wash this area after rinsing hair products
  
  

4. Buttocks

Many people refer to bumps here as butt acne, but medically, this area behaves differently.

Why it happens

• Most butt breakouts are folliculitis, not true acne
  
  
• Prolonged sitting increases pressure and irritation
  
  
• Tight clothing and sweat worsen follicular inflammation
  

What to do

• Wear breathable, loose-fitting fabrics
  
  
• Change out of sweaty clothes quickly
  
  
• Avoid harsh scrubs or repeated shaving
  

A dermatologist should check persistent or painful bumps to rule out infection.

5. Underarms

Underarm breakouts can be confusing because they do not behave like facial acne.

Why it happens

• Friction from shaving
  
  
• Occlusion from deodorants
  
  
• Sweat and bacterial overgrowth
  

Some underarm bumps may also be inflamed follicles rather than acne.

What to do

• Avoid shaving irritated skin
  
  
• Keep the area dry and clean
  
  
• If bumps are painful, recurring, or spreading, seek medical advice
  
  

When Acne in Weird Places Needs Medical Attention

You should consult a dermatologist if:

• Acne is painful or rapidly spreading
  
  
• There is pus, fever, or signs of infection
  
  
• Breakouts do not improve after several weeks of correct care
  

Many unusual acne patterns are actually follicular conditions that require different treatment approaches.

Derm School Takeaway

Acne does not follow rules.
Location gives important clues about what is causing the breakout.
Treating the cause gently works better than aggressively treating the symptom.

Understanding your skin pattern is the first step toward clearer skin.

References (PubMed / PMC):

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2835909/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21982003/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6120391/