A DIY Sugar Scrub will work wonders as a whiteheads of face treatment. All you have to do is mix sugar with honey and lemon juice and scrub it all over your face in circular motions. Wash your face with lukewarm water after a few minutes. But, don't use this scrub too often — twice a week would make the cut just right.
Over-exfoliated skin can become so vulnerable and damaged that it can be easily inflamed. This inflammation can then escalate into an acne breakout.
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Once or twice a week is great, but everyday exfoliation is even better. Clinique Derm Pro Dr. Michelle Henry gives us her top five reasons to exfoliate daily. Once or twice a week is great, but everyday exfoliation is even better.
So, does vitamin C exfoliate skin? Unlike exfoliants that can chemically (AHAs) or physically (face scrubs) remove dead skin cells, the answer to “does vitamin C exfoliate skin?” is no. But it does promote healthy cellular turnover and the production of new skin cells, which is beneficial for proper exfoliation.
Clogged pores are the main cause of whiteheads. Your pores can become blocked for several reasons. One cause of blocked pores is hormonal changes, which are common triggers of acne. Certain life stages can increase the amount of sebum, or oil, your pores produce.
Dead skin cells occur naturally as your skin constantly generates new ones to replace them. Oil (sebum) is made in your pores and is designed to keep your skin hydrated. But too many dead skin cells and the over-production of oil can combine to make your pores a breeding ground for whiteheads.
Treating whiteheads and blackheads
To unclog pores, dermatologists recommend using a retinoid. You can buy one retinoid, adapalene, without a prescription. You'll also want to use a benzoyl peroxide wash.
Milia are usually small, around 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter. Some can grow larger. Milia won't pop and can take a long time to go away. Milia can show up anywhere, but they are most common on the face.
What happens if you don't pop a whitehead is that it goes away on its own, usually in 3 to 7 days. While you're waiting, you can also use makeup to lessen its appearance. Look for a product that is “buildable” (can be applied in layers on your skin).
"Cleanse the affected area with a gentle exfoliator like salicylic acid and/or anti-bacterial agent like benzoyl peroxide, then apply a warm compress. Use the pads of your fingers, not your fingernails. Use Q-tips to pop your whitehead. Better yet, wrap clean tissue paper around your fingers or a Q-tip in each hand.
Differin contains 0.1% adapalene — a powerful retinoid that fights blackheads and whiteheads and prevents future blemishes. It's anti-inflammatory, so it reduces redness and swelling, and it helps assist in skin cell turnover, meaning pores are less likely to get clogged in the first place.
Retinoids can work. “It's keratolytic, meaning it dissolves away dead skin layers,” says Hammerman. “By doing that, you are allowing new skin layers to come through smoother and softer.” If you're plagued by blackheads and whiteheads, retinoids essentially “bust out” the keratin clogging those pores.
Salicylic acid works best for blackheads and whiteheads. When used regularly, this ingredient may also prevent future comedones from forming.
The white stuff that comes out of your pores like thin strings when you squeeze your nose is called a sebaceous filament. It's mostly made up of sebum (oil that your skin produces) and dead skin cells. This substance typically collects in pores around your nose and chin.
Exfoliate dead skin cells
Use an exfoliating product two to three times a week to help get rid of dead skin cells that may be clogging your pores. The key here is to massage the product onto your nose and let the product do the heavy lifting — scrubbing the exfoliant into your skin will only cause further aggravation.
Bacteria make the pore swell up and turn red. Pus, a thick, white substance made up of bacteria and white blood cells, sometimes fills the pimple.
Benzoyl peroxide cream
Apart from salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide cream is another product that you should be using if you want to get rid of whiteheads. It works well on the skin to kill the bacteria and to unclog the pore by getting rid of the dead skin cells and built-up oil.
Witch hazel acts as an astringent to help shrink your pores, soothe your skin and reduce inflammation.
Well, when it comes right down to it, the choice is really in what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is incredible for the skin because of its ability to help brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, the best active ingredient for wrinkles is retinol.
Vitamin E
It makes a great ingredient in gentle exfoliators, leaving the skin feeling more refined but without irritating it as some granular scrubs can do. Exfoliating with Vitamin E is recommended for drier skin types as this antioxidant has replenishing and nourishing qualities.
You can make small, circular motions using your finger to apply a scrub or use your exfoliating tool of choice. If you use a brush, make short, light strokes. Exfoliate for about 30 seconds and then rinse off with lukewarm — not hot — water. Avoid exfoliating if your skin has cuts, open wounds, or is sunburned.