WHAT ARE BLACKHEADS? CAUSES, TREATMENTS, AND PREVENTION TIPS

Blackheads are pesky, clogged pores that often show up on your face and are typically most noticeable on your nose. While they might not be as inflamed as other types of acne, blackheads are just as annoying. It’s tempting to squeeze and pop your blackheads, but doing so tends to make things worse. We turned to our skin care expert Erica Palmer, head of Bioré Skincare R&D, to learn more about blackheads and how to get rid of them for good.
 

A blackhead, medically-known as an open comedone, is a hair follicle or pore that’s clogged with a mixture of dead skin cells and sebum–an oily substance naturally secreted by your skin.

“Blackheads are non-inflammatory acne lesions. When follicles become clogged with dead skin cells or oil, a blackhead is the result,” says Erica Palmer, Head of Bioré Skincare R&D.
 
Blackheads can occur when sebum produced by your pores is exposed to oxygen. Sebum darkens during the oxidation process and creates a dark spot on your skin, hence the name ‘blackhead.’

“Blackheads appear when hair follicles become clogged with dirt or oil." Blackheads appear when hair follicles become clogged with dirt or oil. Although blackheads are often most noticeable on your nose, they can appear all over your body. So, now that you know what blackheads are, how do you get rid of them?
 

Acne and blackheads are a specific mild-acne type. Blackheads show up on your face, primarily where there is a higher concentration of oil glands. This includes the forehead, nose, and chin. They can also appear on your neck, back and chest areas. Unfortunately, blackheads can show up just about anywhere! So, what are some acne-types to look out for?

According to Palmer, “A blackhead is a plug of dead skin cells and sebum that is discolored. It is also known as a comedone (actual name). A whitehead is a closed comedone. A blocked pore that stays open is a blackhead, while a pore that closes up is called a whitehead.” Another distinction is that blackheads are less irritated, while whiteheads can be in an irritated flared state. The irritation is associated with the infected state of the whitehead clogged pore due to the proliferation of acne bacteria. Blackheads are less irritated and almost dormant.

According to Palmer, “Both sebaceous filaments and blackheads are actually types of pore clogs, but they are distinct in that sebaceous filaments are normally the color of your skin or have a grayish tint and are usually found in a bunch, while blackheads appear here and there.”

Unfortunately, those with oily skin tend to suffer more from these acne-types. Oily skin is more prone to experience blocked pores, which causes bacteria to thrive; leading to whiteheads, blackheads, and papules all known as types of acne.
 

Blackheads are caused when sebum secreting pores in the skin are blocked. Palmer explains, “Skin follicles typically contain one hair and a sebaceous gland that produces oil.” It might sound (gross?) counterintuitive, but this oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated so it’s definitely a good oil to have!

But where does it all go wrong? From dirty phones to an intense spin class, your lifestyle and genetics can easily affect your skin. If your skin is acting up, take a look at this list to see if any of these factors are at the root of your skin problems:
 
Dirt, oil, and debris build up. “The primary culprit is actually pore clog accumulation which can be dead skin cells, sebum and even makeup,” Palmer explains.
 
Excessive sweating from exercise, heat, or stress can cause pores to go into overdrive. Specifically, for those that sweat and workout if they tend to under-cleanse their skin after working out, then residue and skin grime can back up in pores. There is evidence that supports sweating while working out is good for the skin, helping to purge pores and boost sluggish skin metabolism.
 
If you’re strapped for time after a workout, give your face a quick once over with a charcoal micellar water to clean off excess sweat and grime fast!
 

 
Haircare products can also interact with facial skin and lead to clogged pores. Prevent hair products from messing with your skin by keeping hair off your face during the day and by cleaning your hairline while washing your face at night.
 
Oily skin types tend to be more prone to blackheads. If you know you have an oily skin type, avoid touching your face with your hands. Pro tip: don’t forget to wipe off your phone, which accumulates dirt, oil, and bacteria, as it is often in contact with your face. Finally, a diet focused on good fats and oils, while minimizing bad oils, can also help.
 
Contrary to popular belief, hormonal fluctuations don’t actually trigger blackheads. Instead, hormonal induced acne breakouts are classified as inflammatory lesions, whereas a blackhead is a non-inflammatory lesion. Now that you know what really causes blackheads, it’s time to say goodbye to those pesky clogged pores!

 
Getting rid of pesky blackheads is never fun, but it’s important to know the right way to do it. Here are a few myths and tips that our Bioré skincare experts want you to know about blackhead remedies and common misconceptions that do more harm than good:

Whether you have blackheads on your nose or if they’re more prominent on your forehead, chin, or cheeks, these tips will help clean those pesky pores. But what’s really going on in your skin? Let’s take a deeper look at blackheads and how they’re different from other types of acne.
 

These types of treatments are available without a prescription. OTC treatments come in numerous forms such as creams, gels, pads, and serums. Top treatments created to kill acne-causing bacteria and often contain ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and resorcinol.

Doctors may suggest prescription medication when OTC products don’t work. Medications that contain vitamin A, AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids work to prevent pore plugs from forming in hair follicles and promote more rapid turnover of skin cells.

Dermatologists and estheticians can perform pore extractions to remove blackheads. They can also provide helpful tips and treatments to prevent clogged pores in the future.

This treatment consists of tiny beams of light that decrease oil production and kill bacteria. Laser and light treatments reach below the skin’s surface to treat blackheads and acne without damaging the top layers of the skin.
This treatment works best for inflammatory acne conditions and is typically not necessary for blackhead treatments so consult with your dermatologist to see if it would be a good option for you.
 

In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin. Over time, the top layers of the skin will peel off to reveal smoother, rejuvenated skin. While this treatment can be used for blackheads, it’s typically more effective for skin texture improvement.

This is a minimally abrasive treatment performed by dermatologists or skincare professionals with either microparticles or a diamond-tipped wand that buffs and polishes the superficial layer of dry dead skin cells, exposing softer, fresher skin. Bioré Charcoal Pore Minimizer contains Alumina, a known micro-crystal exfoliant, that delivers immediate skin smoothing, texture refining and pore unclogging benefits after one application/use.

Pore strips instantly lift dirt and oil from your pores and are a better option than trying to remove blackheads by squeezing them with your fingers. When used weekly, pore strips can result in fewer clogged pores and improve the appearance of pores with continued use.

Preventing blackheads are as simple as maintaining a clear skin regimen. Follow these essential tips to prevent future blackhead breakouts:
 
Book a facial: Medical facials (performed by a dermatologist) or spa facials (performed by an aesthetician) are effective for a wide range of skin ailments. This treatment is especially helpful for blackheads because they often involve a combination of steam, high-quality products, and professional extractions.
 
Assess your products: Products with salicylic acid or glycolic acid are helpful for getting rid of blackheads. Palmer tells us that salicylic acid in particular, “helps to break up and clean pore clogs, helping to promote skin cell turnover or shedding. It is an effective Acne Active Ingredient which treats and prevents acne breakouts.”
 
Add retinol to your bedtime routine: Using serums with retinol at bedtime also help with blackheads. Just remember to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning.
 
Try a gentle facial peel to reset your skin: “Light peels will also provide some pore unclogging benefits but the primary function of this treatment is to resurface skin texture for those with roughened skin often due to acne mark remnants,” recommends Palmer.
 
Use a sonic cleansing brush for deep cleaning: Sonic brushes penetrate deep into your skin to clean pores and prevent future blackheads.
 
Exfoliate (but be gentle!): Pick an exfoliator with gentle grains like baking soda or rice powder. Try using a baking soda cleansing scrub because it’s perfect for deep cleaning pores and then it dissolves into water so that there’s no chance of over-exfoliating. A washcloth with a uniform texture, like a baby washcloth, can also be used daily for additional exfoliation.
 
Detoxify with a weekly mask: Use A charcoal face mask or a clay mask with tea tree oil to help with blackhead- causing oil. Tea tree oil disinfects your skin while the clay mask helps draw out dirt and grime.

Now that you know how to prevent blackheads, next we will give you some targeted treatments that can help as well.
 

Now that you know some of the best targeted treatments for blackheads, let’s revisit some of the key takeaways about blackheads, what causes them, and how to prevent them!