What are Blackheads – and What Causes Them?

What are blackheads?

Blackheads are a type of blemish that arises when a pore or hair follicle becomes clogged with sebum, dead skin cells, dirt, and other bacteria. The blockage forms a raised plug at the skin surface and, when exposed to air, it oxidises and turns black or brown. These types of blocked pores are known as ‘comedones’ – and they often appear on areas of the skin that produce high levels of sebum.

What causes blackheads?

Blackheads are caused by a buildup of dead skin cells and sebum inside pores, so they’re most common in skin types that naturally produce more sebum and have enlarged pores. This includes oily, combination, and blemish-prone skin in particular. However, even if you have a different skin type, you might still experience blackheads as a result of hormonal changes, sluggish skin cell renewal, or external factors like pollution, humidity, and comedogenic cosmetics.

Blackheads vs whiteheads: what’s the difference?

Blackheads and whiteheads are both comedones, but these clogged pores share a key difference:

• Blackheads are open comedones – the clogged pore is exposed to oxygen and turns black as a result.
• Whiteheads are closed comedones – they’re small and raised on the skin surface, with a noticeable white head and trapped impurities.

If you’re comparing blackheads vs whiteheads vs pimples, they’re all considered types of blemishes, though pimples are generally red and may be uncomfortable to the touch.

Where do blackheads usually appear?

Blackheads are typically concentrated to areas that have a higher number of sebaceous glands: the chin, nose, and forehead. This area is known as the T-zone and it’s the epicentre of oil glands on the face. This overproduction of sebum is generally what causes blackheads on your nose – and it might be where you first spot yours. However, blackheads can also appear on the cheeks, as well as other areas of the body like the neck, chest, back, and shoulders.

What gets rid of blackheads? 6 prevention and treatment tips

Now that you have an idea of what causes blackheads, you can adjust your skincare ritual to control excess sebum and deeply unclog pores. Remember, blackheads are more than a surface-level concern, so they require a targeted approach over a cosmetic ‘fix’.

Read on to find out what gets rid of blackheads, how you can prevent them, and how to minimise their recurrence in the future.

1. Wash your face with a cleanser for blemish-prone skin

Cleansing is a fundamental skincare step to visibly reduce impurities on your skin and deliver efficacious ingredients. So, you can wash your face with a blemish-specific cleanser like our Gently Effective Blemish-Treating Facial Cleansing Paste. Formulated salicylic acid and kaolin clay – two of the most effective ingredients to target blemishes – this cleanser helps reduce and prevent all types of blemishes without drying out the skin.

2. Use an exfoliant to unclog pores

We know that excess sebum and dead skin cells are what causes blackheads, so an exfoliant is going to regulate oil and encourage sluggish skin cell turnover. Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) are known for their ability to unclog pores, exfoliate dead skin cells, refine texture, and control sebum levels.

You can incorporate them into your routine by using a daily chemical exfoliant like our Clearly Corrective™ Daily Re-Texturizing Triple Acid Peel. This serum is enriched with a blend of glycolic acid and lactic acid (AHAs), salicylic acid (BHA), and gluconolactone (PHA) to smooth skin texture, visibly reduce pores, and curb excess oil.

3. Switch to a non-comedogenic moisturiser

When determining what gets rid of blackheads, it’s easy to overlook one step of your routine: moisturising. Your choice of moisturiser should complement both your skin type and your blackhead concerns. So, we suggest seeking out a non-comedogenic moisturiser that will nourish your complexion without clogging pores. Our pick: the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream. This lightweight gel cream is ideal for oily and normal skin types, delivering shine-free hydration and a pleasant cooling effect on the skin.

4. Incorporate a spot treatment

Spot treatments are designed to deliver effective anti-blemish ingredients directly to the skin to target the root cause of blackheads. Formulated with salicylic acid, niacinamide, postbiotic lactobacillus ferment, and glycerin, the Expertly Clear Blemish-Targeting & Preventing Lotion can be used one to three times daily to improve the appearance of blemishes. While there are differences between blackheads and whiteheads, you can use this spot treatment on all types of blemishes to help clear pores and minimise future breakouts.

5. Use a purifying mask

A purifying mask is ideal for blackhead-prone skin since it helps cleanse and refine your complexion. You can incorporate our Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Clay Mask into your routine to help get rid of blackheads. This mask is designed for use once or twice a week to help draw impurities from the skin, regulate oil, and visibly minimise the appearance of pores.

6. Resist squeezing

When you spot a blackhead, you might be tempted to squeeze it to unclog the pore – but resist. Squeezing a blackhead can introduce dirt, external oil, and other bacteria into the pore, which can exacerbate your skin concerns. It can also disturb the area and potentially lead to post-blemish hyperpigmentation.

To keep you from touching your blackheads, try incorporating pimple patches into your routine – like our Truly Targeted Blemish Solution. Formulated with a blend of salicylic acid, niacinamide, and liquorice root, this liquid pimple patch forms a breathable yet protective shield over blemishes.

Now that you understand what creates blackheads and how to get rid of them, you can refine your skincare routine for oily skin to keep your sebum levels in check.