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"We all have those can't-live-without hair products that leave our locks looking shiny, bouncy, and perfect. But is it possible that your miracle shampoo or your favorite leave-in conditioner is betraying you? According to the experts, some of your go-to hair products may be causing breakouts on your face, shoulders, and back.\n\n We spoke with Ren\u00E9e Rouleau, celebrity esthetician; dermatologist David A. Colbert, M.D. of the New York Dermatology Group; and Fabian Lliguin, founder of Rahua Beauty, to help us determine which of our mane stays (if any!) have got to go in order to reveal clearer skin.\n\n Why can hair products make me break out?\n\n Before you throw away the entire contents of your shower, you need to get a handle on why products induce acne flare-ups. Dr. Colbert explains that it happens in two ways: First, by clogging pores, and second, by inducing inflammation in the skin. \"Gels, pomades, and hairsprays tend to be the most irritating,\" he explains. (They also tend to have a pretty high alcohol content.)\n\n According to Lliguin, product-related concerns seem to be on the rise due to chemical over-saturation inside of the body. \"The most common breakouts are due to the build-up of chemicals applied on the skin or scalp over time,\" says Fabian. \"The second is due to allergies, and the third is incorrect regimen for skin or scalp type.\" It could be, for example, that you have parched strands because you get your hair colored. Most of your products, then, will be loaded up with oils and conditioning agents. While that's good for your head, it's not great when it rinses out onto your face, shoulders, and back!\n\n Are there specific ingredients that are more likely to cause breakouts?\n\n One size does not fit all when it comes to skin irritation. Generally speaking, however, oil-based products tend to trap the most bacteria and create a breeding ground for acne. Ingredients like petroleum, silicones, jojoba oil, and shea butter could be causing the occasional zit.\n\n Also, sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate tend to cause trouble for people as well. These are known as \"detergents,\" and they cause that rich, sudsy lather when you shampoo. In general, if you have sensitive skin, you should be shopping for sulfate-free throughout your entire beauty regimen. (These ingredients are also found in body washes and facial cleansers!)\n\n For Rouleau, the ingredient known as panthenol (used in conditioners to strengthen the hair) turned out to be the culprit for her own personal acne woes. \"I have received tremendous feedback about how panthenol-free products have made drastic improvements to my clients' skin,\" she says.\n\n How can I avoid hair product-related breakouts?\n\n To truly discover what's causing your acne flares, you need to do some experimenting. \"If you get blemishes along your hairline and your back, I encourage you to experiment with different types of conditioners to see if you can find one that isn't causing your skin to break out,\" Rouleau suggests.\n\n Lliguin adds that over-use could also be the culprit. \"It's best to wash your hair two or three times a week, or rinse daily with conditioner only,\" he says. There is, however, a flip-side to this tip: The less we wash our hair, the more we're going to bed and getting the day's product all over our pillowcases. Then, our faces are essentially rolling around in the hair's oils and residues all night, which can obviously exacerbate acne. You should always put your hair up before bed, but if you're experiencing some serious breakouts, invest in silk pillowcases and sleep with your head wrapped in a scarf until they go away.\n\n According to Dr. Colbert, another good idea is to wash and condition your hair in the shower before washing your face and body. This can help remove any product residues left behind on the skin. The same goes for hairspray and gel: Style your hair first and then wash for your face to remove any leftover hair products on the skin. From there, apply makeup. \"Also, keep hair out of contact with the skin on the face and avoid touching your hair and then touching your skin afterward. It can transfer product,\" he adds. \n\n Are there acne-safe hair products?\n\n A good rule of thumb is to go with products that have a shorter and more natural, ingredient list. \"It's best to stay close to 100% natural ingredients as much as possible,\" Lliguin says. \"That way, you're avoiding chemical pollution and allergic reactions.\" His own line, Rahua, is a Teen Vogue favorite. (We also love Acure Organics, which you can get at Whole Foods or some Target stores.)\n\n If your acne is severe, Dr. Colbert suggests trying some shampoos that are targeted specifically to help you stay breakout-free. \"For notably acne-prone or oily skin, use a salicylic acid-based shampoo, like Neutrogena T-Sal, once or twice weekly to help balance oils on the face and scalp. It will help reduce hairline acne.\"\n\n The rest, annoyingly, is a matter of trial and error. By swapping things out and seeing how your skin responds, you'll get a better idea of what is causing the problem. But you should look to your shampoo and conditioner first, and then follow that with your daily stylers. Eventually, the culprit will reveal itself!"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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