Eliminating Blackheads
Blackheads are those smaller “plugs” of hardened oil, bacteria, and dead cells that form directly on the surface of your pores - not to be confused with common acne blemishes categorized by white pustules trapped under irritated red bumps in the skin. Although less noticeable, blackheads are very common, especially around areas such as the nose.
Certain types of makeup and facial creams (such as some thick moisturizers) can greatly increase your chances of blackheads. Start by avoiding the use of such products if they are either oily or thick. Also avoid using standard bar soaps on your face, as their ingredients can cause excessive flaking-off of your dead cells, increasing the risk of clogged pores.
If you have a high number of blackheads, consider using a an exfoliate every few days to help prevent those dead skin cells from building up unevenly. While topical cleansers that use salicylic acid can have this effect, I prefer the use of a direct exfoliating scrub (such as St. Ives Apricot Scrub). Another alternative is the use of pore-cleansing strips over problem areas (such as Biore Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips). These strips can be very effective at unclogging those stubborn pores on your nose. However, you shouldn’t need to use them more than once or twice a week. Remember that forcing your skin to exfoliate too frequently can leave your pores swollen and vulnerable. It’s also not advisable to combine pore strips or masks directly with harsh topical acne creams.
Over time the use of vitamin B5 will also help reduce your number of blackheads, as when your pores are less packed with oil they naturally begin to tighten. In this state your pores are much less likely to become clogged, unlike when your glands are pumping out excessive amounts of oil that pools up in your pores rather than being metabolized.
Lastly, while the old adage of “don’t pick your zits” is generally good advice, irritation can more easily be avoided with zits directly on the surface such as blackheads. After washing, apply a warm compress to the area for about 10 minutes in order to soften the blackhead and make removal easier. If it seems you can get it out without harm, gently pinch the area pressing up from underneath the blackhead (do not repeat if the spot is stubborn!). Even after removal, these pores can often become re-clogged within another week, so try and prevent this by washing with cold water and applying an antibacterial such as tea tree oil to the problem area.
