Blackheads are dark, bumpy plugs that may appear on the face, nose, neck, back, or chest. Blackheads, otherwise called open pores or open comedones, are simply a collection of debris and dirt inside your pores that oxidizes with air to give it a black color and form blackheads.
If you have busted a gut for blackheads removal without success; hold on; we got you covered! Here we will dissect all the different ways to remove blackheads permanently!
So, Let’s get straight into it!
1-Pick ingredients that help with blackhead removal
Salicylic Acid
Yes, you guess it right! Salicylic acid is a superhero ingredient for acne (especially blackheads and whiteheads).
As the dirt, dead cells, and excess oil from your skin congests your pores, they block. When they interact with air, it oxidizes them. Thus, it makes them appear black, forming blackheads. And here is where the role of this face acid comes into play!
Several studies support the role of salicylic acid on your skin. In a nutshell, here is what it does for your skin:
- It exfoliates your skin, which allows you to get rid of dry and dead skin cells. That, in turn, gets newer cells to the top of your skin. You get that glam glow back!
- Break down comedones or, to put it simply, decongest your pores. Thus, you unplug your pores of all the gird to get a flawless look.
- Also, help you get rid of mild acne and even prevent frequent breakouts.
- So, it soothes and reduces redness and calms your skin!
- It is a good option for a chemical peel!
Thus, these effects of salicylic acid suggest how it does wonders for quick blackheads removal.
With that said, wondering how much of this is enough to make it work. Well, a study suggests that:
Use 0.5 to 2% of salicylic acid, and yay! You can put an end to it!
Look for salicylic acid in:
- Cleansers
- Chemical Exfoliators
- Spot Treatment Creams
- Soaps
As a side note, it’s not just acne or blackheads that get away with salicylic acid. There are a ton of other skin conditions for which your derm may prescribe you salicylic acid, such as:
- Teenage acne
- Melasma (pigmentation)
- Sun damage to the skin
- Freckles
- Lentigines
Tea Tree Oil
Well! Natural is always better. Tea tree oil is a natural essential oil that comes from its plant.
Studies suggest that:
- It reduces inflammation on your skin. Thus, it calms and soothes it. The same it does to hair follicles. Therefore, the pores are less congested.
- It fights against bacteria, reducing the chances of pore swelling.
How much is enough? Well the study conducted; shows that 5% of tea tree oil gel; works well for blackheads.
Look for tea tree oil in:
- Moisturizers
- Face Scrubs
Witch Hazel
Another natural ingredient for blackheads removal is witch hazel. The way it causes blackhead removal is:
- Deep cleansing your pores and unplugs them. That reduces the possibility of getting blackheads in the first place.
- Also, it protects your skin by fighting free radicals.
- It reduces swelling on your skin. Remember, inflamed skin is always prone to acne (including blackheads).
Look for witch hazel in:
- Cleansers
- Pore Strips
- Toners
Glycolic Acid
Another face acid for blackheads removal! Glycolic acid, otherwise known as fruit peel, is an excellent exfoliant. That comes from sugarcane. It is a weak organic acid that removes dead skin from your skin, including ones that clog up your pores and form blackheads.
And, guess what! The small size allows it to get into your skin deeper enough, to dissolve all; the excess oil and sebum.
That may even prevent more blackheads form; in the first place. Sounds promising? Yeah, it is!
Besides blackheads removal, it does well for:
- Fading acne marks
- Lightening dark skin patches
- Defying the effects of aging on the skin
Glycolic acid comes from 1% up to 50% strength. So, how much glycolic acid should you use for blackheads removal?
Well, studies suggest that:
- Use 30% or more to exfoliate your skin and decongest pores.
- Use 15% or less to prevent pores from blocking.
Look for glycolic acid in:
Retinols
Vitamins everywhere! Retinols come from Vitamin A. Studies suggest that they work great for all types of acne, including blackheads. They:
- Increase skin cell turnover. That is, it removes dead cells and boosts new cell growth. No chance for things to clog up!
- Also, it prevents everything from clogging up pores (maybe microbes or excess oils).
Wonder what makes retinol so unique in removing deep blackheads? It is that they dive deep into your skin and aid blackheads removal effectively.
Also, as they get right into the dermis, they help you reclaim your youth by boosting collagen!
Use 0.25 to 1.5% of retinol to clear blackheads. However, if our skin is sensitive, try lesser strength first.
Look for retinoids
- Serums
- Dedicated creams for blackheads removal
Since retinol increases cell turnover, it makes your skin more prone to sun damage. So, never forget to hit on your sunscreen when using retinol.
Use them in the evening before you hit the bed.
Also, do not use pore strips for blackhead removal when using retinol. Remember, your skin is delicate when you use retinol!
Now, let’s talk about many ways by which you can get quick blackhead removal.
2-Cleanse through your pores (with cleansing oils)
The core step to every skin care is cleansing. The same is true to getting rid of blackheads.
But what if I tell you that you can remove blackheads by using cleansing oils? Yeah, I know. You may wonder how oil can help you against it when excess oils clogging pores are causing it in the first place.
Well, the answer is quite simple. The idea behind it is that like dissolves like.
So, here is what I mean.
That is a nasty-looking blackhead.
As you apply cleansing oils to your dry face, it settles deep into your pores surrounding impurities.
With gentle circular motions with your wet hands, oil emulsifies impurities, taking them along with it and clearing your pores.
Booyah! You did it!
You can choose your cleansing oil as plant-based or synthetic cleansing oils.
Plant-based cleansing oil, for instance, may include:
- Sunflower Seed Oil
- Olive Oil
Synthetic oils may include:
- Caprylic triglyceride
- Isopropyl Myristate
So, if your skin reacts to plant-based oils, you can choose synthetic ones with fewer plant oils.
3-Exfoliate with comedolytics
Alternatively, you can get a quick blackheads removal using face acids, such as:
- Salicylic acid
- Lactic Acid
- Glycolic acid
Yeah! You guess it right! These exfoliants will remove the dead cells and decongest your pores. Thus, they will remove blackheads (comedolytics) and will not let newer ones form.
4-Put on a face mask!
Face masks never get old! Here are our top picks for face masks that help with blackhead removal.
Charcoal Masks
Well, here are a few of the many reasons for which you can use a charcoal face mask to remove blackheads:
- Activated charcoal adsorbs excess oils, sebum, and toxins on its surface.
- That pulls away gird, grime, and impurities, to give you a flawless look (and removing blackheads, of course!)
- They also balance the natural oils of your skin.
Charcoal face masks work best for oilier, acne-prone skin.
Charcoal Mask Product to try
GM Collin Charcoal Mask comes from bamboo charcoal. The extensive charcoal formula removes micropollutants and refreshes your skin. Get an essence of clean, cleansed, and pure skin without blackheads.
DIY Charcoal Face Mask
To make a DIY charcoal face mask:
- Take a teaspoon of charcoal powder.
- Mix with brewed green tea goodness.
- Add a tablespoon of clay powder.
Next, mix to get a fine paste. Apply liberally on your face or blackheads on your nose.
Let it dry.
Wash it with cold water.
If charcoal masks dry out your skin, try making them with face oils.
- Take a tablespoon of activated charcoal.
- Add a few drops of rosemary oil to it.
- Add a pinch of baking soda.
- Also, you may add a few drops of lavender oil if you like.
And that is it!
Clay Masks
Clay masks filled up our beauty shelves for ages! And that is well deserved! Clay masks do a lot when it comes to skin care. Read next about how clay masks help with blackheads removal.
So, first things first. Clay masks are exfoliants. Also, they suck the debris out of the pores, which minimizes the look of your pores. Over time, this reduces skin oiliness and clears blackheads.
For better clearance of pores, use a hot shower or a hot towel before using clay masks.
Also, there are a variety of clay types available. The mildest form is kaolin clay, and bentonite clay is the most effective. The one you need depends on if your skin is dry or if you have ever used clay masks before.
If you have sensitive skin, use milder clay masks. But, if you have acne-prone or oily skin, you can use bentonite clay masks.
Clay masks can hydrate your skin! Yes, it is possible. You may think of clay masks as super drying. Because clay alone may be too drying for your skin. That is true. However, this is not always the case.
If you choose your clay masks with hydrating ingredients, your skin will not dry out! Thus, use clay masks with ingredients that hold moisture to your skin. Some clay masks include hyaluronic acid, yogurt, honey, aloe, or glycerine. They are cleansing, exfoliating yet hydrating!
According to a study, a clay mask can heal some skin lesions and ulcers. Also, it helps act against microbes.
Clay mask products to try!
A holy grail product for blackheads removal is Sothys Purifying Two-Clay Mask! A genius formula of green and white clay with salicylic acid promises blackheads removal. Also, it gives you enormous sebum control.
Eminence Organics Acne Advanced Clarifying Masque combines salicylic acid with kaolin and red clay. Also, it combines exfoliating sulfur and moisturizing basil oil, a blockbuster blend to remove blackheads!
FarmHouse Fresh Sand Your Ground, Clarifying Mud Exfoliation Mask comes with bentonite clay, willow bark extracts, and pumice that evens your skin tone and removes blackheads.
Sulfur Masks
The way sulfur mask helps the skin remove blackheads is more or less the same. That is to suck away dead skin and control excess sebum. However, not many ingredients work well if you have sensitive skin. That is where sulfur gets you covered!
A study suggests that:
- Sulfur plucks away the dead cells.
- It washes away bacteria.
- Sulfur even has anti-fungal effects.
Sulfur face mask products to try!
GlyMed Plus Serious Action Sulfur Mask has oil-absorbing sulfur with clay that deeply clears pores and pulls nasty blackheads away!
Image Skin Care Clear Cell Medicated Acne Masque has face acids (salicylic acid and glycolic acid) with sulfur to get rid of blackheads quicker!
5-Try Chemical Peels for More Stubborn Blackheads
DID YOU KNOW?
Surprisingly! A chemical peel is the third most common cosmetic procedure done in the United States (non-invasive).
A chemical peel is a more targeted treatment to remove deep blackheads. The deal with these chemical peels is you allow some chemicals on your skin to settle for a few minutes. The chemical will spread uniformly and gradually remove dead skin cells.
That allows new skin to grow and take over and thus resurfaces your skin.
Also, it soothes and evens out the overall texture of your skin (making it flawless!).
Many AHAs and BHAs can work as peeling agents.
Now, the depth of skin targeted depends on the peel type.
Superficial peels only affect the epidermis. They help your skin with:
- Acne including Blackheads
- Brown patches or melasma
- Skin damage from sunlight (such as scaly patches)
Medium depth peels affect superficial parts of the dermis. Here is what they are for:
- Pigment disorders of the skin
- Multiple scaly spots from sunlight exposure
Deep peels affect deeper parts of the dermis (indeed, work deep!) and help your skin with:
- Severe ultraviolet damage to the skin
- Deep wrinkles
- Scars
So, you can consider the option of chemical peel for blackheads removal and to give your skin a fresh start!
How to prevent blackheads
- Cleanse whenever you sweat. A clever beauty hack to prevent blackheads is to use an oil-based cleanser after a workout or excess sweating. And then give it a double cleanse with a salicylic acid foaming cleanser.
- Remove the makeover before you sleep. Never give a chance for the pores to congest!
- Wash oily hair more often. That is because oil can get to your face. Yes, oils can find their way! Thus, wash hair more often with an oily scalp to prevent breakouts.
- Slather on your sunscreen (oil-free)
- Use oil-free moisturizers.
- Do not use skin care products with alcohol. The long-term use of alcohol in skin care may enlarge your skin pores. Also, alcohol can dry out a sensitive skin.
- Avoid oil-based products. Slather on oil-free sunscreen and moisturizers to prevent blackheads.
- Use non-comedogenic products.
- Do not pop blackheads! Yes, we all agree! It is too tempting to pluck them away! But, it can just lead to even more damage to your skin. Squeezing, plucking, or popping them increases inflammation. Also, it can form scars, something you will never let happen!
- Wash your pillowcases and bed sheets more often.
Frequently asked questions!
How do you get rid of deep blackheads on your face?
To get rid of deep blackheads on your face:
1-Use blackheads removal ingredients, such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinol.
2-Cleanse your face more often and whenever you sweat.
3-Exfoliate your skin.
4-Use charcoal, clay, or sulfur face masks to remove blackheads.
5-Try chemical peels.
Is it OK to squeeze blackheads?
No, it’s never good to squeeze blackheads as, it only allows inflammation and scars to take over!
Can blackheads be permanently removed?
Unfortunately, you cannot easily remove blackheads permanently. However, with consistent skin care, you can minimize the appearance of blackheads and even prevent newer ones from popping out.
Can blackheads be removed naturally?
To remove blackheads naturally, use ingredients such as tea tree oil or witch hazel. Also, try DIY charcoal masks and egg white face masks.
Does toothpaste get rid of blackheads?
Toothpaste doesn’t help you getting rid of blackheads as it can be too harsh on your face. It can irritate your skin and can disbalance the normal skin pH. That can even further cause breakouts.
Read Next! An A-Z guide for skin prone to acne.
