The Most Effective Skincare Guide To Remove Blackheads And Whiteheads

Are you already tired of visiting your local aesthetician to get your blackheads scrubbed off or worse, manually extracted? Are you annoyed with rubbing lemon-sugar scrub on your face but still cannot get rid of those stubborn, pesky blackheads and whiteheads? Well! Take a breath and grab a drink of your choice because, by the end of this blog, you will have an elaborate idea about how to prevent and manage blackheads and whiteheads and possibly achieve your dream skin that is free of those by using simple and readily available products like Salicylic Acid Cleanser and exfoliators.

But Let Us First Understand What Causes Blackheads And Whiteheads

Blackheads and whiteheads can be caused by an array of reasons and although people with oily skin are more prone to it anyone can get them. Our skin produces sebum which is a natural oil and it helps moisturize the skin along with protecting it from pollution and other factors. But sometimes the dead skin layer blocks your skin pores clogging the sebum inside causing the sebum build-up which may cause blackheads or whiteheads, so the answer is simple, you just have to find a way to regularly exfoliate your skin to help shed the dead skin layer.

There are multiple reasons that cause exaggerated sebum production leading to blackheads and whiteheads.

Hormonal changes during different phases of your menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can lead to excessive sebum production.

Oral Contraceptive Pills also alter your sebaceous glands making them produce more sebum making you more prone to breakouts and thus blackheads and whiteheads.

Improper diet and a sedentary lifestyle also contribute to improper shedding and repair of skin cells that result in the accumulation of dead, damaged skin layers blocking the pores to push out the sebum and causing blackheads and whiteheads along with the usual acne breakouts.

Humid weather in tropical countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand makes your skin more oily and prone to breakouts including blackheads and whiteheads.

If you have blackheads predominantly on your nose while the rest of your skin is clear, it is possibly just the sebaceous filaments that appear to be blackheads and are not actually blackheads, any salicylic acid cleanser would help you get rid of this easily.

Yes, those are a lot of reasons for blackheads and whiteheads but don’t worry, you just have to make tiny changes to get massive results and that starts with a consistent well-curated skincare routine as per your skin type.

 

Ingredients That Work Best for Blackheads and Whiteheads

Salicylic Acid: Salicylic Acid is a molecule that resents dead skin layers and its allies including active acne, comedones, blackheads/ whiteheads, and milia. Befriend the molecule and it would help you get rid of those pesky blackheads and whiteheads bringing out clear, inflammation-free skin. It mildly exfoliates your skin removing the dead layer and keeping the pores clean leaving no stones unturned for you to have the skin of your dreams. Salicylic Acid cleansers are well tolerated by most people and including it in your skincare routine helps exponentially.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids: AHAs are exfoliating agents that help with surface-level exfoliation. Ingredients like Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Citric Acid help greatly with exfoliation and get rid of the dead skin layer and in the process help you manage and prevent blackheads and whiteheads too.

Retinoids: The “jack of all trades” of the skincareverse works effectively and efficiently even if applied topically. It works by increasing cell turnover that helps in shedding the dead skin layer and repairing and rejuvenation the fresh skin layer thus there is no room left for acne or breakouts of any kind including the blackheads and whiteheads(non-inflammatory acne). You can start introducing the retinoids twice a week in your skincare regimen with the lower concentration and work your way up to the higher concentration of retinoids once your skin gets acclimatized to it.

Non-comedogenic products: The term “non-comedogenic” refers to products that do not block your pores or cause breakouts. Since all of these skin issues begin due to closed/ blocked pores, it is necessary to be diligent while choosing your skin products. Make sure you are opting for a Non-Comedogenic Moisturizer and toner while you are curating your skincare routine.

Clay Masks: Clay masks work by fetching excess oil out of your pores while cleansing them and further preventing your sebaceous glands from secreting excess sebum which prevents any possible breakouts of inflammatory or non-inflammatory acne. Look for molecules like kaolin, bentonite clay, sulfur, charcoal, and Quternium-73 for best results.

What Won’t Work?

That was quite a list of the ingredients that would work for you if used consistently but let’s discuss what won’t help you with blackheads and whiteheads so you can save your time, energy, and money.  

Benzoyl Peroxide is a waste of effort when it comes to non-inflammatory acne as it reduces the inflammation and checks the bacterial growth which isn’t the case with blackheads and whiteheads as they are non-inflammatory, non-microbial acne. 

Toothpaste, harsh physical scrubs, nose trips, and manual exfoliations are all going to make situations worse for you because they lead to skin irritation and damage doing more harm than good, causing damaged skin barrier and leading to a new set of skin issues, most likely hyperpigmentation and dullness.

Now that you know the Dos and Don’ts for blackheads and whiteheads, you can proceed with a skincare routine including any of the ingredients listed above, once you find the ingredient that suits your unique self and skin, hold onto it for at least 4-6 months for visible results, remember consistency and patience is the key to most of our issues even something as common as blackheads and whiteheads. Happy Skincaring!!!

Also read- Skin Care Routine To Beat Dry Skin In Winter