Effective ways to help remove blackheads

It's safe to say that the world has a special obsession with blackheads. Videos tagged with #Blackheads have been viewed more than 15 billion times on TikTok.¹ And a TV series was even launched in response to that viral fame — Dr. Pimple Popper — which is currently in its ninth season.²

These blemishes aren't as much fun, though, when they show up in the mirror. That's when it's time to read up and see what dermatologists recommend. The good news is that a wide range of products can help eliminate blackheads and make them much less likely to appear in the future.

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What is a blackhead?

Blackheads are a type of acne, and that means they appear when a pore gets clogged.^3,4

Pores are tiny openings or “holes” in the skin that release oil and sweat.⁵ Just like the smooth surface of the skin, these holes are lined with epidermal (skin) cells. These skin cells die and shed, just like any other skin cell. When they do, though, sometimes they don't get pushed out of the pore. Dead cells can combine with the oil in the pore, creating a dense mixture of substances that block the opening.⁶

“When that blockage is exposed to air, it oxidizes and turns a dark color, creating that signature ‘black’ head,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto.⁷

So, that’s how they turn up, but what can you do about them?

Home remedies for blackheads

Dermatologists advise against trying to squeeze out a blackhead at home.⁸ But some other approaches may be safer to try. These include home remedies and products you can pick up at a local pharmacy. For serious cases, it's also possible that a physician or other health care provider will prescribe a stronger treatment.

On the home remedy front, a few items around the kitchen may help keep a blackhead from getting worse. A salt or sugar scrub, for example, rubbed gently into the skin for up to 30 seconds can help to scrape away dead skin. And a teaspoonful of wet green tea leaves on your skin can also help reduce oil production.⁹

Over-the-counter products to help get rid of blackheads

A trip to the drugstore may also be a good strategy for facing down these pesky spots. A number of over-the-counter blackhead treatment products can help by slowing the buildup of oil and bacteria. That can allow the pore to clear on its own.¹⁰

Face washes and serums

A good skin care routine can keep the face clean and moisturized and, with the right products, can deliver helpful chemicals where they're needed most. Two types of products to look for are face washes y serums. Face washes cleanse both the surface and pores of the skin, and serums are generally applied after cleansing.¹¹

Keep an eye out for salicylic acid, which appears in many over-the-counter blackhead treatments.¹² Face washes with salicylic acid help reduce greasiness “and can help soften up” the blackhead, says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified adult and pediatric dermatologist at SkinSafe Dermatology and Skin Care in Beverly Hills, California.¹³ Note, however, that salicylic acid can be drying or irritating to skin.¹⁴

Some products with salicylic acid include CeraVe Acne Control Face Cleanser y Neutrogena Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Fighting Face Wash.

Alpha hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid and lactic acid) are another good option, explains Dr. Shainhouse.¹⁵ "They can be less irritating and drying to some sensitive or drier skin types," she says. These acids will also help soften the blackhead while they lightly exfoliate the skin, which can help open the pore and let the debris out.¹⁶

A face wash that contains alpha hydroxy acids is L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser.

Toners and topicals

Tónicos are another skin care product that can be used after cleansing. They can provide extra cleansing and help reduce excess oils, and some deliver a kick of salicylic acid. Besides helping to soften and remove the surface part of blackheads, toners with salicylic acid can allow the ingredient to linger in the pore, keeping it dry and the contents soft, notes Dr. Shainhouse.

For another approach, look at enzymatic peels.¹⁷ They can help gently exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells and break down surface skin oils, both of which can help prevent pores from clogging.

Toners to try might include La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner with Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid o No B.S. BHA Salicylic Acid Facial Toner with Witch Hazel, Lavender & Tea Tree Oil. For an enzymatic peel, check out Bliss Jelly Glow Peel, which contains enzymes from pineapples and papayas.

Retinoids and benzoyl peroxide for blackheads

Chances are it will take some trial and error to find the right routine and the right mix of products. But a couple of ingredients - retinoids and benzoyl peroxide — are often recommended to help manage blackheads, and they can be found in a number of over-the-counter products.¹⁸

Retinoids. These chemicals promote a faster turnover of skin cells and have a range of beneficial effects.¹⁹ While most types of retinoids are only available by prescription, adapalene can be purchased over the counter.²⁰ Note that retinoids should not be used by pregnant women.

For a topical treatment containing adapalene, consider La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 1.0% Topical Retinoid Acne Treatment.

Benzoyl peroxide. Dermatologists sometimes recommend a benzoyl peroxide wash. This chemical helps get rid of acne-causing bacteria on the skin.²¹ One such wash is PanOxyl Foaming Wash, Maximum Strength Deep Cleaning with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide.

Beware advice on how to remove blackheads yourself

"You should never try to pop your own pimples, period," says Dr. Yadav. "Most people almost always make the situation worse." One worry is that using fingers or other tools can introduce bacteria into the mix, and that can lead to new infections.

Trying to push a blackhead out of a pore might also push it more deeply inside, making it even more challenging to expel or extract. And using force to try to get a blackhead out can rupture the skin and cause scarring.

Pore strips, which use adhesive to remove dead skin and blackheads, can be "used once in a while with caution," says Dr. Shainhouse. While they can be effective in pulling out some of the surface debris, they also remove sebaceous filaments that are important to your skin's functioning, fine hairs and the top layer of skin. "If it dries too much and hurts to remove, don't rip it off!" she says. "Wet the strip and gently ease it off the skin."

If you really must get rid of that blackhead, the best way is to visit a dermatologist, who can remove blackheads safely and professionally.²²

How to help prevent blackheads

Some people are just more prone to forming blackheads than others, explains Dr. Yadav. One study argued that people could have about an 80% chance of inheriting acne risk through the genes.²³ If someone is prone to acne risk, she recommends regularly using a face wash containing salicylic acid. "Really focus your cleanse on the areas that tend to get congested," she says, "spending a minute or two washing them with your fingertips in a circular motion."

Also important is removing makeup and sunscreen at the end of the day. "Don't just rely on a face wipe to get the job done - wash your face at night to remove all traces," she says.

The best bet is to consult a dermatologist for a medical treatment plan that can help treat blackheads and prevent future breakouts.

Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.