Neutrogena® Stubborn Blackheads Serum is the new way to fight blackheads. Put on and leave on to melt away blackheads, visibly clearing clogged pores and helping to eliminate stubborn acne in as little as 3 days.
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.
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.
Salicylic acid
It breaks down dead skin cells and extra oil before they can clog your pores. When you go to the pharmacy, check the ingredient labels carefully. You'll find products with salicylic acid that range in strength from 0.5% to 5%. The acid can be harsh on some people's skin.
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.
There are some great at-home remedies that can help remove deep blackheads, such as finding an effective deep-pore cleansing face wash to remove dead skin cells. When looking for an at-home remedy or face wash, some key ingredients to look out for are salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
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.
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.
✔️ Ingredients: "Look for products with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids (such as adapalene), azelaic acid, alpha hydroxy acids or sulfur," says Butler. "All of these ingredients help loosen up dead skin cells and prevent them from clogging pores."
Salicylic Acid is designed by dermatologists and is a form of BHA that is widely used in skincare to remove excess oil from clogging the pores, thus controlling acne. It's extremely safe to use and doesn't have any side effects.
Laser Therapy:
Overall, laser therapy is a safe and very effective way to get rid of blackheads with little to no side effects. Before having laser therapy, you will need to temporarily avoid sun exposure. A topical numbing cream will be applied to your skin before the procedure.
Look for serums with ingredients like retinol, salicylic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and alpha or beta-hydroxy acids. These ingredients help unclog, refine, and improve the appearance of pores. Always consult with a dermatology provider before incorporating new products into your routine.
Prolonged exposure to the air causes the blockage to oxidize and darken. Because the pore gets stretched out of shape, it will fill back up again even after it is emptied. These stubborn pores are most likely to occur on the face, chest and back. However, they can also emerge on the ears, neck and scalp.
Turmeric & Honey Mask
When combined with honey, it creates a potent mask that not only combats blackheads but also brightens and rejuvenates the skin. Mix a teaspoon of honey with a pinch of turmeric powder to form a paste, apply it to your face, and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.
For mild blackheads, use salicylic acid
“If you have blackheads, your go-to ingredient should be salicylic acid,” a type of beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
Additionally hyaluronic acid helps to control oil production, a common factor in acne. Hyaluronic acid has been shown to significantly decrease sebum production in those with oily skin. The overproduction of oil, or sebum, can contribute to blocking your pores and therefore helping spots and blackheads to form.
There are two ways to safely and instantly remove blackheads: pore strips or professional extractions. Using a cleanser with Salicylic Acid is a slower but still effective way to get rid of blackheads by gently exfoliating the surface of the skin.