Our overall favorite was the Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask, a gently fizzing formula that opens pores then clears them out using sulfur and kaolin clay.
There is no scientific evidence that they have any effect - in spite of what advertising and many youtube film says about how fantastic black masks are. And I know it looks so incredible when a black mask pulls impurities and blackheads out of the skin and you seemingly get rid of all the blackheads immediately.
Salicylic acid: This is available over-the-counter for blackheads as a cleanser or lotion. It helps remove the top layer of damaged skin. Salicylic acid dissolves dead skin cells to prevent your hair follicles from clogging. Azelaic acid: Barley, wheat, rye and other various grains naturally contain azelaic acid.
Cleansers that combine both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are very effective at treating blackheads, says Burke. Lactic acid: Lactic acid is an exfoliant that helps break up dead skin cells and unclog pores, says Spey.
Professional treatments like comedone extraction, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, hydrafacials, or laser therapy may also help remove persistent blackheads.
Blackhead treatment and removal
One such ingredient is salicylic acid. This gentle exfoliating ingredient helps dissolve the excess oil and skin cells that cause clogged pores in the first place. Salicylic acid can be found in a range of products such as face washes, toners, and other acne treatments.
Extractions – for those who have numerous blackheads or whiteheads, a dermatologist may recommend an extraction. It can be tempting to pop pimples at home, but this increases the risk of scarring, inflammation, and infection. Professional extractions are a safe and effective option for whitehead and blackhead removal.
innisfree Volcanic AHA Pore Clearing Clay Mask
This mask pulls double duty with an AHA chemical exfoliant (lactic acid) and physical exfoliants (volcanic ash clusters and walnut powder), unclogging pores and encouraging the skin's renewal process to drastically reduce blackheads.
Chemical peels
The procedure can unclog pores and start up new skin growth. You get a chemical peel in your doctor's office. It removes cells from the top layer of your skin. Common ingredients in chemical peel products are salicylic, glycolic, and retinoic acids.
For mild blackheads, use salicylic acid
"The combination of physical exfoliation from the scrub and chemical exfoliation from the salicylic acid can help keep the pores clear," Dr. Zeichner says. A couple of our favorite salicylic acid scrubs include the St.
The flat portion of tips should be parallel to surface of your skin, the pointed ends should face up and away from your skin. Press down lightly on the tweezer body to force the blackhead out. Roll tool forward and pull up and away from the skin. Tip ends should not come in contact with the skin.
People should avoid popping, squeezing, or picking blackheads. Instead, safe removal of blackheads often involves topical treatments or extraction by a healthcare provider. Acne is a very common inflammatory skin condition, which commonly starts at the time of puberty and can continue through life.
You can expect the masks to help unclog pores and absorb environmental pollutants, oil, and dirt from the skin, Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist in New York City, told Health. Charcoal is especially good for people with acne and blackheads as it can help reduce excess oil, said Dr. Jaliman.
One go-to ingredient for eliminating blackheads is salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that increases cell turnover and unclogs pores, says Saedi. Suozzi adds that the acne treatment can help dry active acne lesions because it is a mild chemical irritant. A wealth of research suggests salicylic acid helps treat acne.
Applying toothpaste on blackheads: Yes, there's an idea circulating the web that you can use toothpaste to extract your nose blackheads. Don't buy it! Toothpaste can cause dryness and irritation, causing more skincare troubles than it's worth.
Because the pore is open, the material oxidizes, causing the black appearance, according to Good Housekeeping Institute Chemist Danusia Wnek. "Facial masks help to break down and gently shed this debris to treat them and with continued use, possibly prevent them," says board-certified dermatologist Monica Li, M.D.
Do pore strips actually work? Essentially, yes. "They work and you can visibly see that they do work in terms of taking the clogged pores out," Tzu said. "But they work to a limited extent." They likely won't remove all of the blackheads that you're seeing (especially if you're not applying the strip correctly).
Making a paste with lemon juice and baking soda is quite effective for nixing blackheads. Simply mix one tablespoon of baking soda with half a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Apply the paste to the blackheads area and allow it to dry completely. Once it's dry, rinse it away with warm water.