Cheek acne is typically caused by oil that gets trapped within pores, allowing acne-causing bacteria to grow to higher-than-normal levels and create inflammation in the skin, says Dr. Zeichner.

Sometimes, acne on the cheeks isn’t acne at all — it’s rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Rosacea often appears as red acne-like bumps that appear on your cheeks and nose. [ 8 ] ...

Acne face mapping is a technique of linking your breakout hotspots to specific types of skin conditions. Your acne's location can provide a clue to what's happening inside your body. For example ...

Acne face map—i.e., a traditional Chinese medicine practice that links the location of acne to internal issues. Here's what your skin is really telling you.

Cheek acne frequently traces back to phone contact, pillowcases, or touching habits. The placement often shows a dominance on one side matching your phone-holding or sleep position preferences.