Acne on cheeks - symptoms, causes and treatment

Published: August 2025

Acne can appear on both cheeks and can often be caused by hormonal imbalances as well as external factors. As well as this, they are prevalent among various age groups and genders. This article will delve into what acne on the cheeks are, what causes them to appear and how to deal with them when they do.

As with other areas of the face, acne can be troublesome and persistent especially without proper treatment and management.

As such, these can manifest as pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, red bumps, closed comedones and painful spots. People of all ages can experience these due to how common acne is and the fact that it can be inherited genetically.

Acne on the cheeks can often be mistaken for enlarged pores or sebaceous filaments.

Typically, acne can appear on the cheeks due to hair follicles becoming blocked and simultaneously producing too much oil, otherwise known as sebum. This can be aggravated and triggered by hormonal fluctuations during puberty or other life stages a person may go through, as well as inflammation and excess sebum production.

Acne on cheeks can also be triggered by external factors such as touching your face constantly before washing your hands, not changing your pillowcase frequently which allows bacteria to multiply and even pressing your phone against your cheeks without cleaning it regularly.

As mentioned above, hormonal issues and fluctuations can be a prominent factor as to why someone may have acne. During adulthood, women can experience this more frequently due to internal factors such as menstruation, pregnancy, menopause and perimenopause. Excess sebum production can subsequently be triggered based off these changes in the body. While many people believe acne is exclusive to teens and young people, adult acne is also common.

Another potential cause of acne on cheeks could be an increased amount of stress, which can trigger the release of cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that stimulates oil production and inflammation in the skin, which can worsen symptoms of acne.

Diets are important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent health issues in the future. Opting for poor dietary habits and choices could lead to an increase in acne on the cheeks, as it can increase inflammation and cause an unbalance in the skin. It's recommended to avoid high sugar intake, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.

A proper skincare routine is essential to maintaining healthy skin and preventing breakouts in the skin, especially on the cheeks. Having a poor skincare routine or lack of could trigger frequent breakouts of acne on the cheeks, which includes utilising harsh products and neglecting moisturisation of the skin.

To treat acne on the cheeks, it’s recommended to follow a skincare routine to identify and address the issue on a regular basis, especially if you are prone to breakouts on the face. It can be difficult to fully eliminate acne on the cheeks, but it can be effectively managed with effective skincare treatment.

It's important to cleanse the skin properly as a start, to ensure that the skin is clean and to remove any impurities. We recommend cleansing twice a day, first in the morning to remove the excess sebum and dead skin cells that have built up and become trapped in the skin overnight. Cleanse again in the evening to ensure all the dirt accumulated during the day is cleaned off before sleeping.

The Eucerin DermoPure Clinical Correcting Cleanser is a non-stripping, non-comedogenic and oil-free cleanser that is tested for blemish-prone skin, which helps to reduce excess sebum, correct blemishes and correct post-acne marks.

You can also add an extra layer of protection to the skin by applying one pump of our DermoPure Clinical Triple Action Serum twice a day, immediately after cleansing the skin. Designed for oily to blemish-prone skin, this oil-free corrective fluid serum addresses specific concerns while maintaining a lightweight texture.

Acne-prone skin requires moisturisation to ensure that the skin is strengthened and supports the natural protective barrier. After cleansing with our recommended cleanser, using the DermoPure Clinical Mat Fluid can help if you have mild to moderate acne lesions and is a soothing option for cheeks.

Your skin may be more susceptible to damage from the sun, especially if you already have acne. It's essential to incorporate sun protection into your daily skincare routine, particularly in the morning, to give you all day protection from harmful UV rays. If your skin is over-exposed to the sun, acne can also cause pigmentation issues.

The Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream Dry Touch SPF50+ is a sunscreen that is specifically designed to protect the face from the sun, catered to those with sensitive and acne-prone skin. It's non-greasy, non-comedogenic and is a very high protection sunscreen which provides all day protection.

Learn more about sun protection for acne-prone skin.

There are many different types of acne that can appear on the cheeks and around the mouth, and it’s essential to recognise which type of acne is affecting you to address it using the correct skincare products and treatment.

• Blackheads: These are open at the surface of the skin, causing oxidation of the pore creating a dark appearance at the tip.
• Whiteheads: These appear as small, white bumps that are caused by clogged pores, similarly to blackheads. Another name for whiteheads is closed comedones and these form when bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells end up trapped in a hair follicle.
• Cysts: Cysts are often painful, larger and are deeper within the skin than the other types.
• Papules and pustules: Papules are solid and inflamed bumps in the skin that are typically cone-shaped. They can appear on the cheeks, as well as other areas on the face, and usually affects young adults and teenagers going through hormonal changes. Pustules are like papules in that neither have a pus-filled tip nor are noticeable on the skin. However, pustules tend to be more painful, red, tender or irritating.

If you are ever concerned about acne on the cheeks or face in general, it’s advisable to seek medical advice for further investigation and treatment options. Treating symptoms early and effectively is the best way to prevent scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. You may be recommended to take prescription medication in the form of creams and gels, oral tablets or capsules.