The tiny black specks can sometimes look like your skin isn’t clean, despite the fact excess cleansing and overuse of harsh facial scrubs can actually make them worse.
While there are plenty of people who get a kick out of squeezing them, doing so won’t help your skin in the long run, and can actually cause damage to the structure of your pores. This can lead to obvious texture, pores than look larger than normal and even more oil production. Although pores don’t open and close, they do stretch, dilate and become blocked.
Tiny but persistent, blackheads can feel as if they’ve taken up permanent residence on our skin, despite every attempt to have them evicted.
What are blackheads and what causes them?
Blackheads are the dark specks that take up residence in our pores, even though your skin is clean. They can sometime look like dirt, but this isn’t the case.
Blackheads, medically-known as open comedones, form when the opening of a hair follicle becomes clogged or plugged with dead skin cells and sebum, a natural oil formed by your sebaceous glands that are located adjacent to the follicle. On contact with air, this material becomes oxidized and appears black, hence the name blackhead. Though they are most commonly seen on the face, you can get them anywhere there is a hair follicle. Blackheads on your body are common.
They differ to whiteheads because a whitehead is a closed or almost closed comedone, that’s also commonly in an irritated state.
How do you get rid of blackheads?
We asked an expert, Skinstitut dermal therapist and education executive Samantha Harman, her advice on how to treat blackheads and what to do to help stop them coming back.
Harman shares a number of steps that may help:
Don’t touch or pick
Picking your skin is never a good idea. It can spread bacteria, cause further damage and lead to scarring. Avoid squeezing blackheads at all costs.
Always double cleanse
While we’d never skip SPF, sunscreen can be difficult to remove. The same goes for makeup. If these products remain on the skin for too long – i.e. overnight – they can clog pores and trigger congestion.
Double cleanse every night. Reach for an oil-based formula to start and follow up with a gel. I recommend Skinstitut’s Expert Squalane Replenish Oil Cleanser and Glycolic Cleanser 12%.
Avoid thick or heavy moisturisers
If you’re prone to acne, clogged pores and blackheads, avoid heavy moisturisers. Instead, look for lightweight serums and creams that will dial up the skin’s water content without contributing to oil production. The same goes for your sunscreen! We recommend an oil-free formula.
Exfoliate regularly
Exfoliation is the best way to remove cellular build-up, and it helps to keep the pores clear and skin healthy. I swear by Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% – it works like a charm to dissolve expired cells before buffing them clean away. If you tend towards more sensitive skin, try Skinstitut Enzymatic Micro Peel, which is designed to remove surface cells while simultaneously hydrating your face.
Look Towards Retinol
Retinol is another wonder ingredient for congestion-prone skin as it regulates cell turnover, which minimises the risk of clogged pores (including pesky blackheads). If you’re new to the ingredient, try working a Retinol Serum into your evening routine once or twice a week. For seasoned users, every night or every second night is appropriate.
Try A Professional Treatment
To level up results, try booking a professional skin treatment. The Skinstitut 4-Step AquaFacial is the perfect option as it deeply cleanses, dislodges debris and leaves the skin plump, purified and looking thoroughly cared for.
