Temple eczema is a form of facial eczema that affects the skin on the sides of the forehead between the eyes and hairline. It may cause redness, dryness, itching, flaking, irritation, and inflamed patches of skin. Because the temples sit close to the forehead, hairline, and eyes, symptoms can sometimes spread into neighbouring areas during flare-ups.
If you would like a broader overview of symptoms affecting the face, visit our Facial Eczema Symptoms guide. For a complete overview of causes, treatments, and long-term management strategies, visit our Facial Eczema hub.
Fast Answer
Temple eczema commonly causes dry, itchy, red, flaky, or irritated skin around the temples. Symptoms may be triggered by skincare products, hair products, allergies, weather changes, stress, friction, or skin barrier damage. Treatment typically focuses on identifying triggers, reducing irritation, and supporting the skin barrier with gentle skincare.
What Does Temple Eczema Look Like?
Symptoms can vary from person to person.
Common signs include:
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Red patches of skin
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Dryness and flaking
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Itching
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Rough or irritated skin
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Burning or stinging sensations
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Sensitive skin that reacts easily to products
Some people experience symptoms affecting only the temples, while others notice irritation extending towards the forehead, hairline, or surrounding areas of the face.
People experiencing temple eczema may also find our guides to Forehead Eczema and Jawline Eczema helpful.
What People Often Tell Us About Temple Eczema
Many people tell us that temple eczema can be surprisingly frustrating because the area sits between the face and hairline, making it difficult to identify exactly what is causing irritation.
Common concerns include:
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Wondering whether hair products are causing flare-ups.
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Feeling frustrated when symptoms keep returning.
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Noticing itching that becomes worse throughout the day.
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Finding that hats, helmets, or glasses increase irritation.
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Feeling self-conscious about visible redness near the hairline.
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Constantly changing skincare or haircare products in search of relief.
Many people also tell us that temple eczema often develops gradually, making it difficult to pinpoint a single trigger.
What Causes Temple Eczema?
Several factors may contribute to eczema affecting the temples.
Common triggers include:
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Fragranced skincare products
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Hair sprays, gels, and styling products
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Harsh cleansers
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Allergies
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Stress
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Cold weather
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Skin barrier damage
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Friction from hats, helmets, or headwear
Because the temples sit close to the hairline, hair products are a common source of irritation for some people with sensitive skin.
In many cases, symptoms develop because multiple triggers are affecting already sensitive skin at the same time.
Because the forehead sits close to the eyebrows, some people may also experience symptoms affecting the eyebrow area. Learn more in our guide to Eyebrow Eczema.
What Causes Temple Eczema?
- Hair dye
- Hair spray
- Shampoo residue
- Sunglasses
- Glasses arms
- Headphones
- Helmets
- Hats
- Pillowcases
- Hair touching the temples
What We Have Learned From People With Facial Eczema
Since launching Bragan Skincare, we have spoken with thousands of people dealing with eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and sensitive skin.
One thing we hear regularly is that temple eczema often goes unnoticed at first. Many people assume irritation around the temples is simply dry skin, a reaction to weather conditions, or sensitivity caused by hair products.
In our experience, people often make the most progress when they simplify their skincare routine, reduce potential irritants, and focus on supporting the skin barrier consistently over time.
How Is Temple Eczema Usually Managed?
Although there is currently no cure for eczema, many people successfully manage symptoms by identifying triggers and supporting the skin barrier.
Helpful approaches may include:
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Using gentle fragrance-free skincare
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Avoiding known triggers
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Moisturising regularly
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Avoiding excessive exfoliation
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Managing stress where possible
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Protecting skin from harsh weather conditions
Consistency is often important because skin barrier recovery can take time.
Supporting Sensitive Skin
People experiencing temple eczema often look for products designed specifically for dry, irritated, and sensitive skin.
Our Eczema Treatment Collection contains products developed for people experiencing ongoing sensitivity and skin barrier disruption. Many customers also choose our Atopic Cream as part of their daily skincare routine because it was developed specifically for dry, irritated, and sensitive skin.
As with any skincare product, individual results may vary and a patch test is always recommended.
Why Thousands Of People Trust Bragan Skincare
Since launching Bragan Skincare in 2022, we have received hundreds of reviews, photographs, and video testimonials from people dealing with eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and sensitive skin.
Many of the people who contact us have already tried multiple creams, lotions, and skincare routines before finding something that suits their skin. While no skincare product works for everyone, our philosophy has always been simple: create gentle, fragrance-free products designed for sensitive skin and allow customers to decide whether they are right for them.
Our reviews are not created by actors or marketing agencies. The testimonials, photographs, and videos featured throughout our website come from real customers who have chosen to share their experiences to help others facing similar skin challenges.
Could It Be Something Else?
Although temple eczema is common, several other skin conditions can cause similar symptoms. Because redness, dryness, itching, and flaking can overlap between different conditions, it is not always easy to identify the cause without professional assessment.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis commonly affects the temples, hairline, eyebrows, and scalp. Symptoms often include redness, itching, and flaky skin that may resemble eczema.
People experiencing temple irritation alongside dandruff or scalp symptoms may find it helpful to learn more about seborrheic dermatitis.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin reacts to an irritant or allergen. Hair products, fragrances, skincare products, cosmetics, and even materials that come into contact with the temples can sometimes trigger reactions.
Symptoms may appear suddenly after introducing a new product and can closely resemble eczema.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis can sometimes affect the temples and hairline, causing red, inflamed patches covered with thicker scales than those typically seen with eczema.
People with psoriasis elsewhere on the body, particularly the scalp, elbows, or knees, may be more likely to experience psoriasis affecting the temples.
🟢 ECZEMA
Dry • Itchy • Flaky
🟡 SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS
Flaking • Dandruff • Scalp Irritation
🟠 CONTACT DERMATITIS
Product Reaction • Burning • Sudden Rash
🔴 PSORIASIS
Thick Scaling • Persistent Patches • Hairline Involvement
If symptoms are persistent, worsening, spreading, or not responding to gentle skincare, it is always advisable to seek medical advice for an accurate diagnosis.
Final Thoughts
Temple eczema can cause redness, dryness, itching, and irritation that affects both comfort and confidence. Understanding potential triggers and supporting the skin barrier consistently can help many people manage symptoms more effectively.
Why People Trust Bragan Skincare
Our products don't begin in a boardroom. They begin with people who ask us for help.
The very first Bragan product grew from real experiences with problem skin, and every product we've developed since has been shaped by listening carefully to customers living with eczema, dermatitis and sensitive skin.
Discover how real customer experiences continue to shape every Bragan product
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes eczema on the temples?
Temple eczema can be triggered by several factors, including hair products, skincare products, allergies, stress, weather changes, friction, and skin barrier damage.
Can hair products cause temple eczema?
Yes. Hair sprays, gels, styling products, hair dye, and shampoo residue can sometimes irritate the skin around the temples, particularly in people with sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
Why are my temples itchy and flaky?
Itchy and flaky skin around the temples is often linked to dryness, inflammation, skin barrier damage, or conditions such as eczema and seborrheic dermatitis.
Can glasses make temple eczema worse?
In some cases, yes. The arms of glasses can create friction and pressure against sensitive skin around the temples, potentially worsening irritation during flare-ups.
How do you treat temple eczema safely?
Temple eczema is often managed by identifying triggers, reducing irritation, supporting the skin barrier, moisturising regularly, and using gentle fragrance-free skincare suitable for sensitive skin.
Is temple eczema the same as seborrheic dermatitis?
Not always. Although both conditions can cause redness, itching, and flaking, seborrheic dermatitis is often associated with dandruff and scalp symptoms, while eczema is more commonly linked to skin barrier damage and sensitive skin.
