Know The Enemy
Basically, a blackhead is a pore that's clogged with a mixture of dead skin cells, oil, and Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) — a bacteria that thrives on the protein and oil in your pores and causes breakouts. Unlike a whitehead (a closed comedo), a blackhead is open at the skin's surface (an open comedo). Exposure to air causes this plug of gunk to oxidize and turn black, making it really tempting to mess with.
Slather On Salicylic Acid
When it comes to blackhead removal, salicylic acid is your best friend. Commonly found in over-the-counter acne treatments, the ingredient gently helps skin-cell turnover, helping unclog your pores. The best way to use it is by layering it on once or twice a day, in concentrations between 0.5% and 2%. Start with a face wash like Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Wash. Then, apply a spot treatment, like Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment or a medicated tinted moisturizer.
Let It Sit
The longer this stuff sits on your face, the more time it has to work. Just be careful not to overdo it — vary your concentrations (not every product in your regimen should contain 2% salicylic, the highest OTC percentage), and be mindful of your skin's sensitivity. If your skin becomes overly dry, tight, or irritated, cut back on the concentration, the number of products in your regimen, or the frequency of application.
Learn What Doesn't Work
If you're thinking of using benzoyl peroxide here, well, just don't. While benzoyl can nuke zits quickly, salicylic is a better blackhead remedy because it helps exfoliate and unclog your pores. Benzoyl is mainly a bactericide that’s used to kill the P. acnes bacteria. This is less of a concern with blackheads, since they’re open at the surface — and contact with air kills the anaerobic bacteria.
Exfoliate Gently
Exfoliating regularly is key to keeping blackheads in check, since it scrubs away dead skin cells that could clog pores.
I use Garnier Clean + Blackhead Eliminating Scrub once or twice a week — any more than that is overkill — for an extra boost of exfoliation. (Garnier Clean + Blackhead Eliminating Scrub, $7.99)
Get A Skin Brush
If you needed justification for splurging on a Clarisonic, this is your moment. Washing your face with a mechanical skin brush will help fight the good fight against blackheads — not only because it’s essentially a powered-up way to exfoliate, but also because the deep cleanse allows active ingredients to better penetrate your skin, making them, well, more active.
Take Off Your Makeup!!!!
While one night of passing out with your makeup on won't result in a blackhead invasion, over time, this bad habit will absolutely contribute to gunked-up pores. If you can, wash your face as soon as you get home.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Dry, flaky skin is the enemy here, so moisturizing is non-negotiable. As with all skin-care products, look out for non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic formulas, which have been tested and proven not to clog pores and cause breakouts.
However, avoid occlusive products, like petrolatum and silicones, which contain heavy-duty ingredients that create a moisture barrier. By sealing in moisture, they also trap dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria — which will only cause more blackheads.
Pass The Pore Strips
Undoubtedly, there’s something weirdly gratifying about yanking all the crap out of your nose with a Bioré strip. Limit usage of these curiosities to once a week.
Ditch The DIY Treatments
Tax returns. Highlights. Pizza. Some things — blackhead treatment included — are best left to the professionals.
As tempting as it may be to become the Barefoot Contessa of comedones, there are better ways to get rid of blackheads than with your DIY concoction of whatever the Internets has served up. Like a combo of salt, sugar, honey, olive and/or coconut oil, and lemon juice.
*eye rolls*
