Here at Pomades.com, we want help you find the pomade that best suits you. While hold strength and shine are usuals on the pomade checklist, you should also consider your susceptibility to pomade acne. Although not a frequently discussed topic, pomade acne is quite common and should enter pretty heavily into your calculations.
What is pomade acne?
Basically, it’s acne on the forehead, temples, and hairline due to the repeated use of pomades. Because of their thick texture, pomades can clog pores, causing whiteheads and blackheads.
How do I get rid of pomade acne?
The first step is to identify the type of pomade you’re using. Typically, pomades with a base of mineral oil or petroleum jelly are more occlusive to the skin, preventing the release of sebum (oil) from your hair follicles. These types of pomades are comedogenic, or pore clogging.
If you find yourself suffering from pomade acne, you can try a water-based pomade (we’ve listed several below), which tend to be thinner and less likely to cause breakouts.
Beyond switching to a water-based pomade, there are several effective treatments:
- Stop using pomade / Once you take away the culprit, your acne should cease. However, we realize that a perfectly done side sweep might be too good to give up, so…
- Minimize the pomade’s contact with your skin / If you continue to use pomade, apply the product behind the hairline and only near the ends of the hair.
- Wash your face regularly / Excess product can be removed easily with a cleanser. After applying pomade, remember to wash your face. Do so again after any strenuous physical activity and at night. While some pomades have the capability of staying in for days (eg. Murray’s Superior Hair Dressing Pomade), it’s a good idea to wash out your pomade at night to avoid your pomade-doused hair getting onto your face at night.
- Don’t touch your hair and then touch your face / You will be your own undoing by committing this cardinal pomade acne sin. You might have to check yourself on this one, since it’s natural to slick back your hair and then brush something off your face, but trust us, this tip works!
What’s a good water-based pomade?
Glad you asked! Here are our picks:
Shop: 1. Cool Grease Fiber Grease Hair Pomade, 2. Steadfast Pomade, 3. Billy Jealousy Clutch Play Hair Gunk, 4. Grant’s Golden Brand Pomade, 5. Lucky 13 Tried and True Heavy Duty Molding Paste.
