How to Get Rid of Neck Acne (March 2020)

Men typically get acne on the face, chest and back. However, it’s not uncommon to get pimples in the neck area as well.

These pimples are often red, painful and easily irritated by clothing. If you want to get rid of them once and for all, here are three of the things you ought to know:

1. Neck acne is no different than other types of acne and is generally caused by a buildup of oil in the opening of a pore.
2. Certain factors can contribute to neck acne such as clothing rubbing against the area, facial hair and poor hygiene.
3. The best treatment method for neck acne in men is keeping the area clean and moisturized.

Clean and Moisturize Your Neck

If you're already using a men's skin care kit, you're on the right track. But are you remembering to wash your neck in addition to your face?

When it comes to washing and moisturizing their skin, men often focus entirely on their face.

Skipping the neck area can lead to breakouts in those who are acne-prone.

Fortunately, this is usually an easy fix. By simply paying more attention to washing, scrubbing and moisturizing the neck area, you will likely see a reduction in your neck acne.

Rethink Your Grooming Routine

There is nothing wrong with prioritizing your grooming routine. Who doesn’t want to look their best every day?

Unfortunately, your facial hair may be contributing to your neck acne. Beards can hold bacteria and oil which can make the neck area prone to breakouts.

Shampooing your beard and exfoliating it regularly with a men’s exfoliating scrub is essential. This will clean your beard and slough off dead skin cells which can clog your pores.

If you’re still getting neck acne, take a closer look at your shaving products. Switch to a single-blade razor (multiple blades can be irritating to the skin) and use shaving cream made for sensitive skin.

Wear Breathable Clothing

Your neck acne may be a result of acne mechanica. This type of acne is caused by the pressure, heat and friction of our clothes, helmets or backpack straps.

If you live in a humid place or don’t shower immediately after working out, you’re more likely to get acne mechanica. Sweat doesn’t cause acne directly, but it can make it worse.

To reduce the likelihood of acne on your neck, avoid wearing clothes that hug the body tightly. You can also wear tops that allow the neck area to breathe, such as crew neck t-shirts.

Actual Tiege Hanley customer testimonial:

“Over a 3 year period, I probably spent over two grand in skin care and still had acne. I decided to reach out and request to be a part of the Tiege Hanley Acne trial and I have been blown away. After two weeks, my skin was clear. It’s not the acne cream alone that cleared it up, but how all of the products work together as a whole.” Kyle B., NJ.

Use a Moisturizer with SPF on Your Neck

Some types of sunscreen can clog pores and cause breakouts. If you’ve been slathering on sunscreen around your neck, this may be why you’re experiencing neck pimples.

With men at such a high risk of developing melanoma (see claim: “…Adolescent and young adult males were 55% more likely to die of melanoma than age-matched females.”), the last thing we want to do is discourage you to protect your skin.

That’s why it’s essential to wear a men’s moisturizer with SPF on your neck as well as your face. A men’s moisturizer with SPF is lighter than traditional sunscreen and won’t clog your pores.

Most men use it primarily on their face. However, extending it to your neck is essential to preventing neck acne.

Treat Stubborn Neck Acne with Salicylic Acid

Neck acne still bothering you? It may be time to bring in the number one acne-fighting super hero: Salicylic Acid.

Research shows (see claim: “Significant benefit from the active therapy was evident at 4, 8 and 12 weeks when total lesion counts were assessed…”) that Salicylic Acid is highly effective at treating mild to moderate acne. It’s also easier on your skin compared to the super-drying effects of benzoyl peroxide.

Be sure to choose acne treatment products that don’t wash away the active ingredient. For Salicylic Acid to do its job properly, it needs to be in a cream—not a cleanser!

Keeping Neck Acne at Bay

Neck acne occurs in men for the same reason as facial acne. Still, there are a few sneaky culprits which can cause men to break out along the neck.

Fortunately, neck acne can usually be treated with a regular skin care regimen that doesn’t neglect the neck area. Add a powerful acne treatment system for men to your routine and you can finally get rid of stubborn neck acne for good.

References

Gamba CS, Clarke CA, Keegan THM, Tao L, Swetter SM. "Melanoma Survival Disadvantage in Young, Non-Hispanic White Males Compared With Females." JAMA Dermatol. 2013;149(8):912–920.

Eady, Ea, et al. “The Benefit of 2% Salicylic Acid Lotion in Acne a Placebo-Controlled Study.” Journal of Dermatological Treatment, vol. 7, no. 2, 1996, pp. 93–96., doi:10.3109/09546639609089537.