What Causes Blackheads?
“Blackheads are caused by a buildup of sebum, oil, dead skin cells and possibly C. acnes (the bacteria that causes acne) that are stuck in the hair follicle,” says Nazanin Saedi, MD, clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University and the department co-chair of the Laser and Aesthetics Surgery Center at Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting. “When these substances oxidize in the air, the opening turns black,” says Dr. Saedi.
Acne-prone individuals are most susceptible to blackheads, but there is a genetic predisposition as well, explains Saedi.
“Hormonal influences also play a role, stimulating the production of sebum (skin oil),” says Kathleen Cook Suozzi, MD, the director of the aesthetic dermatology program at Yale Medicine and an assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.
“Enlarged pores can also be present in individuals with severe sun damage,” Dr. Suozzi says. ”A decrease in the collagen support of the dermis surrounding the hair follicle can make the ostia (small openings) appear larger and more dilated. An extreme example of this is in the condition Favre-Racouchot, in which patients have large blackheads in areas of sun damaged skin, particularly around the eyes,” she says.
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How to Prevent Blackheads on Your Skin
To keep blackheads at bay, Suozzi recommends topical or oral retinoids, including prescription medications like tretinoin or Retin-A.
“Recently, a prescription strength retinoid, called adapalene or Differin, became available over the counter for the treatment of comedonal acne,” she says. “In cases of more severe comedonal acne, patients may require treatment with oral retinoids, such as isotretinoin, or Accutane.”
Saedi adds that chemical exfoliants can also be effective, but she isn’t in favor of scrubs because they can cause irritation.
The Best Ways to Get Rid of Blackheads
If you already have blackheads, there are a few dermatologist-endorsed methods to get rid of them — and a few of them are preventive as well.
Use Products With Salicylic Acid
One go-to ingredient for eliminating blackheads is salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that increases cell turnover and unclogs pores, says Saedi. Suozzi adds that the acne treatment can help dry active acne lesions because it is a mild chemical irritant.
A wealth of research suggests salicylic acid helps treat acne. That includes one study that found that using a 2 percent salicylic acid wash for two weeks led to a reduction in acne lesions.
Saedi recommends two thrifty but effective drugstore products with salicylic acid: Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil Free Acne Wash and Neutrogena Gel Cleanser Acne Proofing.
If you are willing to invest a little more money for a more potent, multitasking product, Suozzi recommends Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense, a combination of 2 percent dioic acid with an optimal alpha and beta hydroxy acid formulation that will not only help with acne, because it reduces sebum, but also has anti-aging properties. Additionally, she is a fan of DCL Multi Action Penta Peel pads, a highly concentrated peel or chemical exfoliant.
Add a Retinoid to Your Routine
Retinoids, which are available by prescription (such as Retin-A) and over-the-counter (Differin) are a reliable method for ridding the skin of blackheads. “Retinoids work by promoting skin turnover and decreasing the ‘stickiness’ of the skin cells to prevent blockage of the follicular ostia,” Suozzi explains.
She notes that when you start retinoid treatment, blackheads, also known as comedones, may worsen as cell turnover increases against a clogged opening, causing further dilatation. This will improve with continued treatment, she says.
Saedi suggests trying an OTC product like Differin first, but if it isn’t helping, “then see a doctor for prescription strength.”
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Consider Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, are helpful for getting rid of blackheads as well, says Saedi, but she says that salicylic acid is better for helping unclog pores. Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum and Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment are two highly rated AHAs on the web.
Opt for an In-Office Treatment
A dermatologist can help rid your skin of blackheads. “There are in-office treatments that can help diminish the appearance of pores,” Suozzi points out. These include nonablative resurfacing (aka laser treatments) such as Fraxel laser or Clear + Brilliant laser or microneedling.
Prices vary and can range from a few hundred dollars to $1,500 or more, dermatologists say. While some people are happy with the results of a single treatment, others may need multiple sessions to achieve desired results.
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The Worst Ways to Get Rid of Blackheads
Using Harsh Scrubs
It can be tempting to slough away all your dead skin in instant gratification via the help of an exfoliating scrub. While chemical exfoliators (like AHAs) can be helpful, Saedi suggests that you avoid overexfoliating with a granule scrub.
“Harsh scrubs can strip your natural oils and create more oil,” she points out. Dermatologists in general recommend exfoliating up to three times per week, depending on the product you are using and your skin type.
Doing Manual Extractions
Suozzi recommends fighting the urge to pop any pimples. “If you squeeze your blackheads, you can cause the follicle to rupture and induce the formation of an inflammatory lesion, or cyst,” she says. In other words, you can transform your blackhead into a much more serious skin condition. Keep in mind that the closer a blackhead is to the surface of your skin, the safer it is to squeeze.
Turning to Suction Devices
Tech that promises to suck sebum from pores may sound appealing, but these products may do more harm than good, Suozzi says. “This suction can be harmful to delicate facial skin and can induce telangiectasias, or ‘broken blood vessels’ to appear, particularly on and around the nose,” Suozzi explains.
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The Takeaway on Preventing and Treating Blackheads
While it might be almost impossible to resist attempting to extract that blackhead with your own two fingers, try your hardest to leave it alone.
“The best treatment is prevention,” says Suozzi. Enlist the help of a few effective ingredients — for example retinoids, double-taskers that will not only help treat the skin condition but also prevent new blackheads from forming. Or, make an appointment with your dermatologist for a professional treatment.
How to Get Rid of Blackheads
Blackheads are a form of spot that appears as small black specks in areas where the pores have become clogged. While they can appear anywhere on the body, they’re most common in the areas where more dead skin cells and natural oil (known as sebum) are produced. This includes the face and specifically around the nose. It can be tempting to try and squeeze blackheads out to remove them. However, squeezing, picking, or popping blackheads will only make matters worse.
Here, we’ll cover some better ways to remove blackheads. You can also find out more about what blackheads are, how to address them, and how to prevent them from coming back.
In this guide:
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What are blackheads?
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What causes blackheads?
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What’s the difference between blackheads and whiteheads?
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How to remove blackheads and prevent them coming back
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Blackhead removal FAQs
What are blackheads?
Blackheads develop when pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. They appear as small black bumps on the surface of the skin. Blackheads tend to form in areas where the skin produces more oil, including the T-zone around the nose. People with an oily skin type are more prone to getting blackheads
While blackheads are most common on the face, they can form almost anywhere on the body. Some of the most common areas where blackheads appear include the:
- Nose
- Chin
- Cheeks
- Back of the neck
- Chest
- Back
Blackheads may also appear less commonly on the ears, thighs, buttocks, and armpits.
What causes blackheads?
Blackheads are caused when a pore or hair follicle becomes blocked or inflamed. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- Increased production of sebum – the natural oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands
- Trapped debris within the pore, such as dirt, bacteria, dead skin cells, and make-up residue
- An increase in bacteria on the skin, causing spots to form
- An increase in the presence of the androgen hormone
- An abnormal formation of the protein keratin, which helps generate skin, nails, and hair.
As blackheads are an open type of spot, the trapped dirt, bacteria, or other residue oxidises when it reacts with the air. This is what gives the spots their black or dark brown appearance.
What’s the difference between blackheads and whiteheads?
Blackheads and whiteheads are both what is known as comedones – the bumps that occur due to inflammation in the pore or follicle. The main difference between the two is that blackheads are open, while whiteheads are closed over with a layer of skin. Both blackheads and whiteheads can appear at the same time and in the same areas of the face and body.
Over-the-counter treatments may also be similar for both blackheads and whiteheads. However, there are some differences to consider when treating blackheads compared to other types of acne. For example, while antibacterial treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide, may work against some forms of acne, it’s unlikely to be as much help in fighting blackheads.
How to remove blackheads and prevent them coming back
There are various skincare treatments you can try that can help remove existing blackheads and aid in preventing them from coming back.
Use products with salicylic acid for blackheads
Gentle exfoliation can be a helpful part of your skincare routine , as it helps to clear excess oil and remove dead skin cells. However, you should only exfoliate once or twice a week. Over exfoliation can dry out the skin, leading to increased production of oil, which can result in more blackheads.
Instead of physical exfoliation, you can try using products containing salicylic acid – a popular ingredient targeting blackheads and spots. Salicylic acid can help dissolve the excess oil on your skin and remove dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin, resulting in faster less pore blockage and a reduction in spots. NEUTROGENA® Blackhead Eliminating Facial Scrub contains salicylic acid and is clinically proven to help eliminate and prevent blackheads from the first use.
Apply a retinoid cream
Retinoid creams are derived from vitamin A and can help shed dead skin cells and unclog pores. They can also help your skin to regenerate and create new cells.
Retinoids can be quite intense, and some retinoid treatments will only be available on prescription. They can also make the skin more sensitive to UV light, so they should be applied at night and used alongside a broad-spectrum sun screen. Retinoids should not be used at the same time as salicylic acid, as this will cause irritation.
Use oil-free moisturisers for oily skin
When it comes to eliminating blackheads, the less excess oil on the skin, the better. However, if you allow the skin to dry out, your body may start producing more sebum to compensate. The types of products you should use, therefore, depends on your skin type.
People with oily skin are more prone to blackheads and should use an oil-free facial wash and oil-free moisturiser to avoid irritating their skin. Meanwhile, people with dry skin types may benefit from products containing some oil.
Wash your face regularly
To help manage the natural production of oil in the skin, you should wash your face twice a day – first thing in the morning and last thing at night. NEUTROGENA® Oil Balancing Facial Wash is an oil-free facial wash that gently cleanses and removes excess oil.
Try a professional extraction
If you have excessive blackheads – or if the above steps do not help eliminate your blackheads – you may want to consider booking a professional extraction. You should only get an extraction from a healthcare professional or dermatologist, as a home extraction could lead to permanent scarring. Other treatments your dermatologist may recommend for blackheads can include chemical peels and microdermabrasion.
Blackhead removal FAQs
What is the best blackhead remover product?
The best blackhead remover product for you will depend on your skin type – each skin type is different and should be treated as such. The key is finding the product or combination of products that work for you.
Are pore strips good for blackheads?
Pore strips can help remove congestion from pores, which can help temporarily reduce the appearance of blackheads. However, these can also cause the skin to become dry or irritated and will rarely solve the underlying issue.
