Spots That Keep Coming Back: Causes and Support Strategies

If you've ever noticed the same spot popping up in the exact same place month after month, you're definitely not alone. 

Recurring blemishes are one of the most common skin frustrations people experience. And when you’re doing “everything right” but that stubborn spot still makes a monthly comeback, it’s easy to feel discouraged.

The good news is that understanding why spots keep coming back is the first step to helping your skin look clearer and feel more balanced. This guide breaks down the real reasons behind recurring breakouts (from hormonal shifts and clogged pores to leftover inflammation) and walks you through gentle, effective ways to support your skin with clean, cycle-aware routines and targeted support like clean skincare.

Why Spots Keep Coming Back

Recurring spots occur when a pore becomes repeatedly clogged with sebum, dead skin cells, and everyday buildup from life, such as sweat, touching your face, sleeping on your pillowcase, and coming into contact with makeup or sunscreen residue. When this same follicle keeps getting blocked, that familiar pattern of spots in the same area begins. 

This doesn’t mean your skin is “bad” or you aren’t washing your face correctly. It simply means that the area needs a little extra support, patience, and consistency. Given that acne is the most common skin condition in the United States,¹ you're definitely not alone in dealing with these persistent breakouts.

Here are the most common reasons recurring breakouts happen (and why the same spot appears again and again).

1. Hormonal Fluctuations

Your hormones play a starring role when it comes to recurring breakouts. During the luteal phase of your cycle (that's the time after ovulation but before your period), hormones like progesterone and testosterone spike, essentially telling your oil glands to work overtime.

During this period, your oil glands can become more active, producing excess oil that can easily clog your pores and lead to recurring breakouts in the same areas.

This can show up as²:

• Red bumps
• Blemish-like flare-ups
• Painful spots
• Blemishes under your skin
• Deeper bumps that feel deeper than a regular blemish

These monthly hormonal waves explain why many people keep getting blemishes around the jawline, chin, or around the mouth, where hormone-related spots especially love to settle.²

Your hormones aren’t working against you; they’re simply doing what they do. And your skin is responding to their rhythm.

2. Clogged Pores and Dead Skin That Never Fully Clear

Every blemish begins when a pore gets blocked by a mix of dead skin, everyday buildup, and sebum. When that blockage forms, the area may become visible as a whitehead, blackhead, or typical blemish.

The tricky part? Even after a blemish is gone, that same pore may still be partially congested beneath the surface. That’s why you can keep getting blemishes in the same spot where the area may remain congested, which can make future blemishes more likely.

This is especially common when:

• You’re not exfoliating gently enough
• You’re exfoliating too much
• Your cleanser isn’t removing buildup
• You apply heavy products that clog pores
• Your skin type tends to produce more sebum

When the same area stays congested, it’s very easy for recurring spots to form again, even when your skin looks clear on the surface.

3. Lingering Irritation From Past Spots

Sometimes what looks like a brand-new spot is actually a skin blemish recovering from the last breakout in that exact location. After a blemish calms down, the area can stay tender, reactive, or slightly inflamed for weeks.

If you’ve ever been tempted to pop a blemish, squeeze it, or touch the area repeatedly, you may have accidentally caused irritation beneath the surface. This can make the hair follicle more likely to become congested again, creating recurring patterns in the same spot.

This doesn’t mean you “damaged your skin,” but it does mean that the area may need extra gentle care as it resets.

4. Lifestyle Habits and Skincare Factors That Accidentally Trigger Breakouts

Some everyday habits can quietly set up the perfect environment for recurring breakouts, especially in areas such as the T-zone, hairline, and lower cheeks. When oil glands are more active, or androgen levels shift, you may notice oily skin becoming even oilier, which can lead to blemishes if pores become inflamed.

Other habit-based triggers include:

• Heavy hair products or styling creams:  These products, when they sit along the hairline and can contribute to small red bumps that reappear in the same areas.
• Over-exfoliating:  Scrubbing too hard or using strong exfoliants daily strips your skin's protective barrier, which can make skin feel oilier or more reactive
• Skipping cleansing: Not washing your face consistently, especially at night, allows makeup, dirt, and oil to build up and clog your pores
• Touching your face: Resting your chin in your hands or touching your skin transfers bacteria and oil from your hands to your face, easily reinfecting healing spots
• Wearing tight workout gear in a humid environment: Can trap sweat, oil, dead skin, and bacteria, creating friction and buildup that may worsen body breakout patterns.

Choosing lightweight, oil-free formulas and developing habits that help control excess oil can support your skin's natural healing process. Additionally, avoiding touching your face throughout the day can also help prevent clogged pores.

How to Support Recurring Spots With Gentle, Consistent Care

So, how to support recurring blemishes? There’s no harsh fix or overnight trick for recurring blemishes, and that’s actually good news. Your skin responds best when you meet it with consistency, softness, and products that respect its natural balance.

Here’s how to create a Rael-aligned routine that supports areas where blemishes and spots often show up.

1. Start With a Gentle Cleanse (No Harsh Scrubbing Required)

Keeping your skin clean doesn’t mean scrubbing aggressively. A gentle cleanser helps wash away excess oil, makeup, sweat, and buildup without stripping your barrier or making your skin reactive.

Wash your skin on your face twice per day; once in the morning and once at night (especially after sweating). This helps keep your skin fresh and helps remove residue that can contribute to buildup without stripping away your skin's protective barrier.

Extra tips:

Look for a fragrance-free cleanser that won't irritate your skin. Clean skincare products offer gentle options that respect your skin's natural balance.

Adding a chemical exfoliant with AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs a few times a week can help remove surface buildup, but remember that too much exfoliation can actually irritate the skin and make breakouts worse.

2. Targeted Strategies

When you’re dealing with a stubborn spot that feels like it just won’t go away, a few targeted steps can help support areas where you keep getting blemishes:

• Reach for a serum with salicylic acid: Salicylic acid is an ingredient commonly used in skincare designed to exfoliate the skin’s surface and help remove buildup from pores.³
• Add a gentle retinoid if your skin type tolerates it: A retinoid can help support a smoother-looking texture and improve the appearance of skin blemishes over time, especially in areas where blemishes tend to recur or reappear.⁴
• Use Rael's Miracle Clear Microcrystal Activated PM Serum 2000: This lightweight, beginner-friendly night serum helps smooth the look of rough skin texture and supports blemish-prone skin, giving those same trouble areas a little extra attention as they reset.

Think of these steps less as harsh and more as gentle, steady support, a way to help your skin feel cared for while it does the quiet work of resetting beneath the surface.

Supporting a Balanced Skincare Routine

A strong skin barrier is one of your best defenses against recurring breakouts. Keep it supported with a hydrating, barrier-friendly moisturizer that helps keep your skin calm and balanced.

Avoid harsh products,  like alcohol-heavy toners or rough scrubs, that can irritate the skin, disrupt the surface, and make blemishes worse by triggering more excess oil and buildup that can clog pores.

Instead, stick to gentle, nourishing steps:

• Use soothing, non-comedogenic skincare that hydrates without heaviness.
• Try a calming sheet mask during your menstrual phase, especially if your skin may feel more reactive.
• Apply non-comedogenic sunscreen daily to protect your complexion without risking a clog or extra dead skin buildup.

Don’t Pop — Patch It

When a blemish shows up, especially one you’ve been getting in the same spot, avoid the urge to pop it. Picking can push bacteria and oil deeper, inflame the hair follicle, and make that spot keep coming back.

Instead:

• Try not to touch your face, especially where the blemish appears. Avoid popping it.
• Use a hydrocolloid patch to cover and protect the blemish. These blemish patches help manage surface fluids, discourage popping, and keep the area clean while it settles.⁵

A simple patch can make a big difference and help interrupt the habit of touching or picking, which can contribute to recurring spots.

Why Do Recurring Spots Occur?

Recurring blemishes are incredibly common and often closely tied to your body's natural rhythms, especially your menstrual cycle. They're definitely not a sign that you're doing something wrong or that your skin is somehow "bad"; they're simply part of how your skin responds to hormonal changes and environmental factors.

Helping your skin appear clearer takes both time and patience, as it can take several weeks to see visible improvement while your skin adjusts to help maintain hydration to support your skin’s moisture barrier. Try tracking your cycle to notice patterns in your breakouts, which can help you anticipate your skin's needs and adjust your routine accordingly.

When to See a Dermatologist

Many recurring blemishes can be managed with a gentle, consistent at-home targeted skincare routine, but sometimes your skin requires extra help. If you’re doing your best to keep your skin calm and blemishes keep coming back anyway, checking in with a dermatologist is a smart, caring next step.

A derm can provide personalized diagnosis and treatment based on your skin type, your hormones, and the specific skin condition you’re dealing with.

Consider making an appointment if you notice:

• Deep, painful spots or nodules: If a blemish feels deep in your skin, like a cyst or nodule that’s deeper than a regular blemish, or you’re seeing deep spots under your skin that don’t go away, this may point to a more stubborn type of blemish that needs professional support.
• Spots that won’t quit: If a blemish appears and then persists for weeks without showing significant improvement, or you notice recurring blemishes in the same spot that just won’t go away, it’s worth having a dermatologist take a closer look.
• Unusual or confusing bumps: If something appears swollen but doesn’t behave like a typical breakout, it could be a different type of skin lesion that’s mistaken for a blemish and requires a different approach.
• Signs of infection or severe irritation: Spreading redness, warmth, or feeling unwell on top of skin blemishes is a cue to get professional care quickly.

A dermatologist for treatment can talk with you about options for management, including prescription topicals, oral medications, or in-office procedures, and help you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.

Reaching out for expert support isn’t a failure; it’s a kind way to help your skin (and you) feel better in the long run.

Support Healthier-Looking Skin Throughout Your Cycle

Dealing with spots that keep coming back can feel overwhelming, but they are absolutely manageable with the right approach and mindset. A gentle, consistent routine that works harmoniously with your body's natural rhythms can help minimize their appearance and support your skin through all the hormonal highs and lows.

Pay close attention to your personal triggers (whether they're related to your cycle, stress levels, or daily habits) and don't hesitate to adjust your routine as needed.

 

Sources:

1. American Academy of Dermatology. How to treat acne. https://www.aad.org/news/how-to-treat-acne. Accessed on December 3, 2025.
2. American Academy of Dermatology. American Academy of Dermatology issues updated guidelines for the management of acne. https://www.aad.org/news/updated-guidelines-acne-management. Accessed on December 3, 2025.
3. Liu, Y., Dan, Y., Yang, J., He, X., Liu, J., Yi, Y., Chen, X., Yin, X., Song, W., Niu, Y., Zheng, Y., & Ai, Y.. Clinical Efficacy of a Salicylic Acid–Containing Gel on Acne Management and Skin Barrier Function: A 21‐Day Prospective Study. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12274963/. Accessed on December 3, 2025.
4. Cleveland Clinic. Retinol. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23293-retinol. Accessed on December 3, 2025.
5. Guideline Central. 2024 AAD Acne Vulgaris Clinical Guideline Summary: Guideline Central. https://www.guidelinecentral.com/guideline/21839/. Accessed on December 3, 2025.