Everyone gets blackheads. It is something that cannot be stopped and no matter how many times you extract your blackheads, a few weeks later they come back. I am willing to admit, I have blackheads and can go about my day not thinking about them, who actually cares about a pore that's got a small bit of oil in it? However, there are days I want to tackle this problem and unfortunately there is no one off treatment to stop them forever, it is a process that needs to be done every so often. I am also guilty of, whilst doing my skincare routine, picking and squeezing my black heads because once I spot one I am on the hunt for more. No matter how many dermatologists and doctors have warned about the perils of poking about with spots and blackheads it is too satisfying not to. So in an attempt to stop this and pick up healthier ways to abolish blackheads, I have compiled six ways to treat and get rid of them in the short term.
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Physical Exfoliator
The first step to help clear any signs of dirt, oil and bacteria is to scrub it away using an exfoliator brush or glove combined with a gentle facial scrub such as the Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream. By combining these two together it will help take off the layer of dead skin that will sit there and cause a build up of oil, makeup and dirt. By removing this layer it takes away the chances of anything clogging the pores- not to mention how smooth the skin feels after this. Take care not to over exfoliate as this can push irritation and inflammation deeper causing dryness and spots. Limit this to once a week especially if you are prone to acne or have oily skin as it can irritate the skin more and cause extra problems.
Clay Masks
If you are prone to acne and blackheads then using a clay mask once a week can be beneficial as they draw out impurities from the skin and help to reduce the amount of oil produced. I would recommend exfoliating the skin first as this will allow the pores to be open and the mask to go deeper into the skin for maximum effect. The L’Oreal Pure Clay Detox face mask is one I would recommend as it has ingredients such as Kaolin, Montmorillonite and Ghassoul. The treatment draws out impurities from deep within pores, using Charcoal as a magnet to cling to dirt and toxins. It helps to sweep away any excess sebum so there is a reduced chance of imperfections and blackheads appearing.
Switch Up Your Skincare
If you have an increased number of blackheads and imperfections it can be due to the skincare you are using as it may be comedogenic which basically means they clog up your skin. When choosing your skincare opt for non-comedogenic products for example try to avoid any coconut oil based products as they are comedogenic and will increase the amount of product soaked up by the skin. When looking at face creams avoid thick and heavy creams like shea butter and petroleum as again this will clog the pores and leave the skin feeling heavy. Instead look for products with ingredients such as salicylic, benzoyl peroxide, witch hazel and niacinamide. They will clear the pores rather than clog them up.
Book In For An Extraction Facial
If your blackheads are really bothering you and leaving you feeling less confident, uncomfortable and annoyed then you can book in for an extraction facial. This is done by a professional so do not try to do this at home as it can result in blackheads and spots multiplying. It can also push inflammation deeper and this can create imperfections and even scarring. When you arrive at the appointment, the aesthetician will steam the skin to loosen the oil and open up the pores to make the extraction easier, they will then use special tools or physically squeeze the blackheads out.
Try a Retinoid
Retinoids have been around for a while and certainly are not a newbie to the skincare range, they are considered as one of the best ways to tackle blackheads and other skin issues. It is important to use them with care as they can be quite strong especially if you are a first time user. They should also only be used at night as the sunlight will deactivate them meaning they will not have any effect on tackling the skin issues. Make sure to build it up slowly using it once or twice a week, if there is no redness or itching you can begin to use it every night and increase the amount too.
