Experts reveal how your HAIRCARE products could be causing unwanted ACNE without you even realizing - as they share top tips for fighting pesky pimples

Dealing with blemishes can prove to be a dark spot in anyone's life - and lead to a desperate search for both a cause and a cure. 

There seems to be no end to the line-up of acne-busting products available on store shelves, while costly spot-fighting treatments are available at almost every skincare clinic and salon across the world. 

But while much of the focus when it comes to blemishes tends to be placed solely on skincare, experts are now revealing there could be a very different culprit to blame for any unwanted acne: your haircare.  

According to a panel of seasoned beauty pros, there's every chance that your shampoo, conditioner, and serums, could be contributing to acne without your knowledge.  

So, FEMAIL spoke to a celebrity hairstylist, clean beauty brand founders, and a board-certified dermatologist to find out what to look for and most importantly, what to avoid. 

FEMAIL spoke to a celebrity hairstylist, clean beauty brand founders, and a board-certified dermatologist to find out what to look for and most importantly, what to avoid (stock image)

While many people with sensitive skin are ultra-careful when it comes to the skincare ingredients they use, they pay less attention to the pore-clogging ingredients in their haircare.

CLEARSTEM is a clean beauty brand that specifically focuses on acne and aging - and the brand's most recent launch is a shampoo brand that specifically is for folks with sensitive skin. 

Kayleigh Christina, a holistic nutritionist and the co-founder of CLEARSTEM who is based in Los Angeles, California, told DailyMail.com, 'As we've been treating acne for over 10 years, we know that most hair care contributes to back and hairline acne.' 

'At least 90 per cent of hair products contain pore-cloggers and the ones that don't usually feel terrible in the hair,' Kayleigh warned. 

To focus on creating formulas to fill the gap, they made luxurious, acne-safe, dermatologist-tested shampoo and conditioner. 

Danielle Gronich, a clinical esthetician and acne specialist who owns the San Diego Acne Clinic and co-founded CLEARSTEM with Kayleigh, told FEMAIL, 'Shea butter is a common pore-clogger often found in many conditioners and hair care products.' 

According to Danielle, a safer bet is kokum seed butter, 'which is a natural non-comedogenic seed butter that improves hair moisture and prevents dryness after rinse-off.' 

Danielle advised that other ingredients that often break people out are isopropyl myristate and coconut oil.

Kayleigh Christina, a holistic nutritionist, and Danielle Gronich, a clinical esthetician and acne specialist, founded CLEARSTEM together

According to expert, haircare ingredients get on pillowcases and contaminate sheets and towels, which can cause acne (stock image) 

Kayleigh explained, 'There's very little education around existing hair care products and how often they rely on pore-clogging oils for moisture, which leads to clogged pores.

'Those ingredients get on pillowcases, they leave residue on the body, and they contaminate sheets and towels ultimately causing acne.

'Plus, the hair care without those ingredients leave the hair dry, prone to damage and breakage, and just don't work on any hair that is dry, curly, or color-treated.' 

Board-certified New York City cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green told DailyMail.com, 'Many individuals may experience acne breakouts from their haircare products, typically along the forehead, hairline, and back of the neck.'

She advised avoiding acne-causing ingredients like silicone, cocoa butter, and oils including coconut, avocado, and flaxseed. 

'These ingredients, while excellent for hair, are known to clog pores when left on the skin, trapping dirt and impurities, and leading to acne breakouts,' Dr. Green said. 

The dermatologist said people with sensitive skin should also avoid products with 'fragrance, sulfates, parabens, and alcohol, as these ingredients can be harsh, drying, and irritating on the skin.'

According to Dr. Green, it's equally important to 'constantly wash pillowcases, sheets, hats, and headbands to ensure that no residue from the haircare products is transferred onto the skin,' which could also lead to breakouts. 

Celebrity hairstylist and founder of the boutique salon studios Phenix Salon Suites Gina Rivera offered up expert haircare advice

Celebrity hairstylist and boutique studios Phenix Salon Suites founder Gina Rivera said it was best to avoid using heavy serums daily 'because of the added extra oils that could be in the product,' adding, 'Too much of anything is not good.' 

'It's important to take a break and cleanse the scalp and hair to remove any build up cause from the serums or from any product,' Gina said, suggesting a hair detox. 

Paul Labrecque, the creative director and master stylist at Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa, with locations in New York City and Palm Beach, Florida, told DailyMail.com: 'Lipids are the main contributor to scalp acne because they can clog the pores.'

But don't despair if you use products that have the fatty, waxy compound, he clarified that they're beneficial for the ends of your hair, but shouldn't be rubbed into the scalp. 

'Make sure you're always rinsing well to help eliminate any scalp acne and prevent it from forming in the first place,' Paul advised. 

He also tells clients to stay away from pomades and mineral oil products that are used to prevent frizz and should never be applied to the scalp or used on ultra-fine hair. 

For those with sensitive skin, Paul recommended hypoallergenic products with no fragrances that were moisture and protein-based rather than fat or lipid-based.