4 Best Ways To Target Blackheads

4 Best Ways To Target Blackheads

Blackheads: where you find one, you find twenty more. This mild form of acne is found on the face, neck, back, shoulders, chest and arms and because of their dark color, they’re not only noticeable but tempting to pick. Picking your blackheads – or any form of pimple for that matter- is a big, resounding no-no. There are plenty of healthy and productive ways to treat these raised little marks, and we’ll give you 5 of the best.

But before we get into the 5 best way to target blackheads, let’s talk about cleansing. Excessively scrubbing and cleansing your skin is not a solution to blackheads. This method of preventing and treating blackheads can cause damage and increase the risk of further breakouts; damage because your skin can only take so much scrubbing and potentially breakout-causing because you’re stripping your skin of the natural oils it needs to stay soft and smooth. Now that that’s over with, let’s talk about what you can do.

Blackhead removal tool

Another big no is using your hands to remove blackheads. Your hands contain all the bacteria and dirt of the day and transferring this to your skin while attempting to pop your blackheads can cause more breakouts and even infection. Instead, use one of two types of blackhead removal tools (otherwise known as round loop extractors).

The first type of blackhead removal tool has a spoon-like fixture on one end and a lancet on the other. The spoon-like fixture contains a hole in the middle that fits over the blackhead. When you apply gentle pressure to the top of the blackhead, all the dead skin cells and oil that clogged your pore is forced out. You can use the lancet side to puncture whiteheads and release built-up oil.

If you don’t have many whiteheads to target, the second type of blackhead removal tool may be a better option. This tool has spoon-like fixtures on both ends and in two different sizes – because no two blackheads are alike.

Regardless of which type you choose, make sure your blackhead removal tool is high quality stainless steel, angled for better extraction and easy to clean.

Explore this in-depth article if you’re interested in learning more about the best blackhead remover.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxyl acid (BHA) that acts as a mild exfoliator. It can be found in many over-the-counter skin products and it works on normal to oily skin of all tones. This BHA not only prevents but also treats clogged pores by exfoliating the top layer of the dermis as well as in and around your pores. It targets blackheads but it can also be used to treat blemishes and breakouts.

When using a BHA like salicylic acid, best practice is to find a leave-on product. While a cleanser or soap is applied and then wiped away shortly thereafter, a leave-on product like a cream or serum allows your skin to be exposed to the active ingredient longer. And in this case, the longer it’s on your skin, the better your results will be.

Over the course of several weeks, this blackhead-fighting ingredient will dissolve and loosen your blackheads, but it takes continued use to notice significant improvement. Use your BHA regularly for 3 or more months for the best results.

Glycolic Acid

Alpha-hydroxyl acids (AHA’s) like glycolic acid are particularly great for targeting blackheads. Like salicylic acid, glycolic acid exfoliates your skin to remove dead skin cells, just in a different way. Glycolic acid loosens the bonds between dead skin cells and the top layers of the dermis but also boosts skin cell regeneration, so you’re guaranteed to shed the cells that clog your pores on the regular.

Glycolic acid goes even further than that by regulating your skin natural oil production. So, if your body is overproducing oil, this AHA can help you maintain healthy levels of sebum. As an added bonus, glycolic acid is unique in its ability to inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium: and acne-causing bacteria that grows on the skin’s surface

Glycolic acid helps with everything from blackheads to acne scars and it can be found in everyday products. It’s important to allow your skin to acclimate to its use and give it at least 3 months to start seeing some wow-ing effects

Chemical peels

In comparison to salicylic or glycolic acids, the ingredients and concentrations of acids used in a chemical peel are far stronger and more effective than what you’d be able to find in products made for home use. So much so that, yes, you need to visit your cosmetologist or dermatologist to have one done. But we promise you, their worth the trip if you suffer from stubborn and frequent blackheads.

Chemical peels exfoliate the skin by removing the top layer so that dead skin and oil buildup is pulled away from your clogged pores. The deep exfoliation encourages healthier skin to grow in its place, leaving you with a clearer complexion and fresher, brighter looking skin.

The recovery from a chemical peel is significantly longer than anything else on this list but the results are totally worth it. Plus, they get the job done quickly and effectively.

You don’t have to suffer from acne to have a lot of blackheads, but you do have to suffer from crazy if you think they’re untreatable. Regardless of the severity of your blackhead affliction, there are plenty of over-the-counter as well as cosmetic treatments available to ease your suffering. But if you want the truth: with a little patience and persistence, you can employ all of these methods simultaneously to efficiently target your blackheads. Because 4 is always better than one.