Blackheads are one of the most common skin problems. But don't worry, we've got tips that will have you saying goodbye to those pesky little dots in no time!
What are blackheads?
Blackheads are the skin’s own oil, or sebum, and dead skin cells, which get stuck in your pores.
Blackheads can appear anywhere on the face or other parts of the skin, but most commonly in areas that are oily.
How are blackheads formed?
Clogging happens when dead skin cells do not fall off fast enough, and thus prevent sebum from spreading on the skin. In this case, sebum wraps around the dead skin cells and clogs pores.
Then, if the skin closes, a whitehead will form, which can also get inflamed and turn into a pimple. If the skin remains open, the sebum in the pore oxidizes and turns dark, creating a blackhead.
Don't mistake sebaceous filaments with blackheads
It's good to know that the small dots on the nose are not blackheads, although blackheads can also appear on the nose. These are sebaceous filaments that almost everyone has.
Unlike blackheads, you can't get rid of sebaceous filaments. However, you can make them less visible with the same products and techniques as blackheads. Squeezing doesn't really help with sebaceous filaments, even if you use a nose patch – mechanically removed sebaceous filaments always come back.
Should you squeeze blackheads?
Mechanical removal is one of the most common ways to get rid of blackheads. Often, it's not necessary, but let's be honest – it's many people's guilty pleasure. We recommend that if you do it, do it right!
❌ What not to do
Many people squeeze or press blackheads out of the pores with dirty fingers or with a tool intended for removing blackheads. In both cases, however, the risk is that the pore becomes irritated, and even further – inflamed. You can also damage the skin from applying too much pressure.
✅ How to properly squeeze a blackhead
If you want to squeeze the blackhead out, you need to make sure to use the right method to avoid inflammation or damage to the skin.
- Wash and disinfect your hands or use rubber gloves.
- Cleanse your skin and remove all makeup.
- Soften the skin with a towel soaked in warm water.
- Use light pressure when squeezing. Apply pressure with your fingers, not your nails. If the blackhead does not come off with light pressure, it should not be squeezed out.
The #1 ingredient for treating blackheads
The best ingredient for treating blackheads is Salicylic Acid. Also called BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid), it's oil-soluble and gets deep into the pore to soak up the sebum that has blocked it, cleaning the pore.
Pear Cleansing Gel is a great daily way to keep blackheads at bay, as it contains 0.5% BHA. In a cleansing product, Salicylic Acid is a little gentler, because it is rinsed off the skin, and therefore can be used daily. When cleansing, the exfoliating power can be increased by massaging with the fingertips.
Gentler options for pore care
Choose Niacinamide for oil control
A milder alternative to Salicylic Acid in pore and blackhead care is Niacinamide. Niacinamide can be found in, for example, our bestselling Watermelon Dew Serum.
Niacinamide helps control excess oil, which reduces the amount of blackheads and makes them go away quicker. Niacinamide is suitable for all skin types, so it's easy to add into a routine even for drier and more sensitive skin.
Take your time with oil cleansing
Another great way to remove blackheads is through oil cleansing. Many cleansing oils are advertised as especially effective on blackheads and enlarged pores, but in reality, all oil-based cleansing products help with this.
The key to a successful oil cleansing is taking your time and massaging the cleanser to your face for at least 30 seconds. Oil cleansing doesn't dry out the skin in the same way as water-based cleansing, so you can do it for several minutes without worry. It's effective because oil dissolves oil – this means that the oil cleanser dissolves oil-based dirt from pores (sebum).
Regular oil cleansing is a great way to achieve smoother, softer and more glowing skin for all skin types.