Blackheads present as tiny, dark spots on your skin’s surface. Caused by clogged pores, they can be an absolute pain. Before you pick and poke, check out Skincare.com’s tips and advice for dealing with blackheads, below.
Blackheads
If you develop black dots on your face, no matter what you do, don’t squeeze them! You may think that it is a speck of dirt, but most likely it is a blackhead. These common blemishes-which look like tiny black dots on the skin-are a type of acne that appear when pores are clogged. To learn how to treat and prevent blackheads from returning, we consulted with New York-Based board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant Dr. Jeannette Graf. Read on to find out how blackheads distinguish themselves from other types of acne, and get product recommendations you can add to your skin care routine to help prevent blackheads from cropping up in the first place.
What Are Blackheads?
Blackheads are one form of acne or pimples that take place when pores become clogged on the surface of the skin. They typically appear in the facial regions around the nose and chin but also can take place in other parts of the body, such as the back, chest, and arms.
While similar in nature to your average pimple, there are a few defining factors that help make blackheads different from whiteheads. Both can appear in the same places on the skin and pop up after a plug develops in the follicle,” says Dr. Graf. “A pimple however is deeper in the pore, while a blackhead is on the skin’s surface. They differ from whiteheads as they are open pores versus closed ones that are clogged with oil and dead skin cells.”
How to Treat and Prevent Blackheads
Because blackheads are, in a sense, milder versions of other forms of acne-like nodules or cysts-Dermatologist Dr. Graf says they’re relatively easy to treat and prevent. “I recommend finding products containing ingredients like retinol and salicylic acid, which help in the treatment of blackheads,” she says. “Exfoliating with AHAs and BHAs, too, can help-also try incorporating clay or charcoal masks into your routine for prevention.
One acid is mighty by itself, but a whole lot mightier with its friends. The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum partners salicylic acid-a BHA-with glycolic acid-an AHA-and lipohydroxy acid-a derivative of salicylic acid-to exfoliate skin without overwhelming it to the point of dehydration. In fact, it’s gentle enough for preventative daily use.
If the blackheads tend to appear and disappear as they please, try a spot treatment like this CeraVe Acne Control Gel. It helps to clear clogged pores. Yes, spot treatments do tend to dry out skin, but we love that this uses some kind of special MVE technology that will keep the afflicted area hydrated throughout the day. Though the cocktail of salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acids is hard at work to unblock pores and exfoliate your skin, you won’t be left with dry or flaky patches.
To prevent blackheads from forming in the first place, add the Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask into your routine on a weekly basis. Made with both kaolin and bentonite clays.