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I remember being in middle school and noticing my face full of blackheads for the first time. My first instinct was scrub them away until my skin was raw and red. When that didn't work, I moved on to more advanced methods: squeezing, poking, and even trying to dig them out with a tweezer (do NOT try this). Despite the satisfying feeling of squeezing out a blackhead, most dermatologists advise against doing your own extractions. Picking at your blackheads can actually result in acne, a bacterial infection of the skin, or even scarring. To be safe, you should leave extractions to the professionals (either a derm or an esthetician). So how to you get rid of blackheads without going to a dermatologist? Click through the slideshow to find out.
Blackhead 101
In the battle against blackheads, the first thing you need to do know what it is you are fighting. What exactly is a blackhead? A blackhead is the result of oil and dead skin cells clogging up your pores. A waxy plug is created that prevents the gland from secreting and shedding what it needs to (aka debris, dead skin cells, etc.). As the wax plug gets pushed toward the skin's surface, it oxidizes and turns black when exposed to the air.
Understand What Doesn't Work
You should also know what doesn't work when it comes to banishing blackheads. According to Refinery29, benzoyl peroxide is great for getting rid of zits, but will fail when it comes to busting blackheads. As for hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol, these will just dry out your skin. And if you think you can scrub away your blackheads, put down the exfoliator. While exfoliating is a great way to scrub away dead skin cells that can clog pores, you don't want to over-scrub and strip your skin of oils it needs.
Use Products With Salicylic Acid
So how do you fight 'em? Rachel Nazarian, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, told Allure, "Salicylic acid is a great option for dissolving those blackheads away, and it can be found in over-the-counter products. Ideally, you'd use a leave-on product rather than a cleanser or soap, since the longer the exposure to the active ingredient, the better it'll work. After using a salicylic acid product for several weeks, many of the blackheads will resolve, but others will just loosen."
There are a ton of products that contain salicylic acid, but I like the Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil ($80). Believe it or not, it's an oil that will clear your pores, not clog them. This fast-drying oil clears congested pores but won't leave your skin feeling dry.
Try A Retinoid Treatment
If salicylic acid doesn't work for you, give a retinoid treatment a try. Doris J. Day, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist and author of 100 Questions & Answers About Acne, told Refinery29, "These products will keep your skin cells turning over efficiently, without over-stripping." Added bonus: Retinoid treatments have great anti-aging benefits.
I love The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2% ($9.80) because it's simple, does the job, and is cheap. What more could you want?
Don't Skip The Moisturizer
Plot twist: You need to moisturize your skin in order to minimize your blackheads. It may seem counterproductive, but it turns out it's critical to keep your skin's oil levels balanced. You need moisturize your skin after a blackhead treatment because these methods can be super drying and strip oils from the skin. If you're skin it too dry, it can lead to breakouts. New York City celebrity aesthetician Christine Chin told Glamour, "Overly dry skin can start to produce excess blackhead-causing oil, Make sure you maintain a normal flow of oil from your pores by keeping your skin's moisture level balanced."
Try First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration ($30). It's non-comedogenic, which means it's designed not to clog your pores.
Give Your Cleanser A Boost
Another way to attack blackheads is to use a cleansing brush. A mechanized brush will help loosen the plugs faster and allows active ingredients to better penetrate your skin. Use the brush one or twice week, so you don't irritate skin by over exfoliating. You can't go wrong with the classic Clarisonic Mia 1 Skin Cleansing System ($129). Just be sure to keep the brush clean and change the head regularly.
