Recently I've been getting these icky little breakouts near my hairline and even on my shoulders and back. I haven't had acne on my back since High School, so needless to say I've been frantic trying to figure out why the acne is making an appearance after so long.
I kept wondering if it was any skin regimen I've been doing, but I haven't changed that for months and acne takes about six weeks to form... so it couldn't be that.
Could My Conditioner Be The Culprit?
Well, it turns out that it's been the conditioner I've been using!
Sadly, I haven't been using natural shampoo and conditioners for two reasons: One, I haven't found one that doesn't weigh down my hair, and two, my hair gets very oily quite easily depending on the product. Unfortunately, most natural shampoos and conditioners leave my hair feeling weighed down and full of some sort of residue... not very attractive at all, needless to say.
So which one have I been using? Tresemme Smooth and Silky shampoo and conditioner. And guess what happened when I decided to stop using it to see if it was causing my hairline acne and backne? It started clearing up the next day!
Why Conditioner Can Cause Acne and Backne
Is your back breaking out? the reason may be because most shampoos and conditioners out there contain petroleum byproducts, unnatural waxy ingredients that clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing.
They can also contain acne aggravating ingredients like:
sodium lauryl sulfate
sodium laureth sulfate
sulpha / sulfur
ammonium lauryl sulfate
ammonium laureth sulfate
selenium sulfide
which can cause acne, skin rashes, and other skin irritations especially when these chemicals are not rinsing out of your hair properly.
How to Avoid Acne That's Caused by Hair Products and How to Get rid of Backne
Simple. Switch to a more natural, preferably organic hair care product that contains ingredients that are pronounceable and natural. Even so-called "natural" hair care products can have questionable ingredients, but at least they're better than products like Tresemme.
Just by going to your local health foods store like Whole Foods or Trader Joes, you can find plenty of healthier, hypoallergenic alternatives. I've tried tons of natural hair care products, and not a single one of them gave me the acne and backne breakouts that Tresemme did.
It just goes to show you that natural is always better!
Lesson Learned
So what hair products do I use now?
I use a lovely natural shampoo and conditioner by Broo.
This shampoo is salon grade but natural! It's honestly the best natural shampoo I've ever used. Broo contains NO Sulfites, parabens, silicones, or added color. It's PH balanced and doesn't strip your hair at all! I definitely prefer it over all of the conventional brands out there. And best of all, it doesn't cause acne!
Since writing this post, I have also been enjoying the brand Shea Moisture. It leaves my hair perfectly moisturized, and I haven't experienced any breakouts on my back or shoulders while using it. Again, check the ingredients as each formula is different, but overall I've been very pleased with the results!
How about No Poo?
If you're brave, consider trying out no poo haircare. It's fantastic for the health of your hair because you literally don't use ANY soap, yet your hair will be beautiful and shiny after the transitional period. Be sure to check it out! Here are 10 tips for going no-poo. I even have a little experiment I did using the no-poo method. You can read about my experience below!
For more hair care articles look below:
DIY Coconut Oil Hair Treatment
Monday Monthly Mission #1- The No-Poo Method
The No-Poo Method and My Experience One Week In
The No-Poo Method- One Month Results
Arundhati Thakur says
Damnnnnn!!
I am currently using The same shampoo!! Oh my god!
Thank you so much! I'm switching to something natural now! Woof
Tash says
You're welcome!! 🙂
Nicole says
This is crazy! I have been trying so hard to figure out why I started breaking out recently and am so glad I came upon this post. The second I read that you use Tresemme I was like Janice from friends, "Oh My God!" Thats exactly what I use! Going to the store tomorrow to buy a new shampoo. Thank you for posting this, you made my day!
Tash says
Best of luck Nicole! 😀
A-trizzy says
I found this blog after googling my problem. I'm a 31 year old man, and I too have identified the Tresemme conditioner as a source of breakouts. That's unfortunate cause I like it otherwise. But I will have to switch it, the breakouts are bigger than what I'm used to, as in way more "aggressive". I'm using the shampoo too, to me it seems a bit gentler, leaving less of an oily feel, so maybe I can keep that one.
Tash says
Hi A-trizzy!
Yeah, I find that a lot of conventional conditioners break me out on my back, but I haven't had issues with shampoos causing acne. Now I pretty much stick to natural shampoo and conditioner and haven't had any problems since 🙂
Irma says
Can you recommend me a natural soap of charcoal? Do you know about of Yes to tomatoes? I've been using as body wash, and it has helped me a little. Also, I use once o twice a week one exfoliation sea salt with lemon.
Irma says
You use Dr Bronner's Castile Soap Peppermint. Is it necessary diluted right? 50% water and 50% castile. I bought it today 🙂
Tash says
Hi Irma!
You do not need to dilute it 🙂 I dilute it to make it last longer but that's just me!
Jai says
What do you recommend to clear up the skin beside trash the Tresseme :-/
Tash says
Hi Jai!
Try using a more natural conditioner if possible. This will help a lot! Also make sure that you use a good natural soap (I like ones with charcoal in them for clearing up backne. Remember not to pick at any acne you may have because it will make things worse! Best of luck!
PJ Polchert says
Bröö: This stuff is the real deal and
then some. I, too, recently discovered the line at Whole Foods and was
blown away by the quality and modern take on the ancient practice of
using beer for enhancing hair’s shine and health. The last “beer”
shampoo I used was Body on Tap, and I seriously doubt there was any real
beer in it, plus it was super harsh. I even tried pouring flat beer on
my hair as a rinse, but then you smell like a brewery all day.
I’ve
tried some other newer versions over the years, but they all have
drawbacks. They either smell awful and/or they are full of chems that I
don’t want. Bröö has done more than bring beer shampoo out of the
80s….like NO sulfates, no synthetics, and no silicones. The three things
that impress me the most personally? Even though there are no sulfates,
it lathers like mad. And it smells fresh and clean. And it’s from an
independent company. I use the Pale Ale (Volumizing) set on my longish,
fine hair and I look like I’ve got almost twice as much hair. lol I
tried the Porter (moisturizing) but that was too much for my hair, too
much moisture. But it smelled like rich vanilla. The volumizing has a
faint beer scent with a louder citrus overtone. Especially nice to use
during these hot summer months. They better never stop making this
stuff. My only complaint is that I cannot find the body washes
anywhere…WF doesn’t stock them. But there’s always drugstore.com. Go Bröö!
Candice says
I have been wondering what was causing my breakouts too. I am pregnant so I thought that was the cause for the breakout on my forehead until it started happening on my back where my hair hits and my neckline by my hairline. I am taking my tresemme shampoo and conditioner back to the store and asking for my $$ back. I will never buy tresemme again!
Tash says
Hi Candice,
It's true, Tresseme is nasty stuff! Hope your skin improves, it took mine a couple weeks to get clear again. Needless to say, I won't be buying that brand ever again.
xoxo Tash
Dani says
Thank god you posted this!!! I have been wondering what the heck has been going on. I am using Tresemme conditioner too! And when I think back I never really had any issues with my back until I switched from the previous conditioner I was using to Tresemme. It makes my hair really soft but it's not worth the acne. Thank you! I will buy new conditioner ASAP!
Tash says
Yeah, it's unfortunate that this happens! I haven't had breakouts on my back and shoulders since high school. You gotta watch out for that conditioner!
Dani says
What about body wash? What kind would you recommend?
Tash says
I like to use Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap, especially the peppermint, though it's a bit cold for that one lately. The lavender scent is nice to use during the winter =) This soap lasts forever and suds up really well, plus it's really natural and won't break you out!