Blackheads are one of the biggest skin problems that most college-age women face. I’ve gotten quite a few emails asking about how to get rid of blackheads, and I have to say, I used to struggle with them myself!
I have an embarrassing story about how I found out I had blackheads in the first place. I guess you could say I was in “blackhead denial.”
It started out innocently enough – I was hanging out with my boyfriend one weekend, goofing around. All of a sudden, he stared at my face with a scrutinizing look. Pressing his finger up against my nose, he said “by the way, how do you get rid of those things?” I think you can guess what he meant.
Yes, he was pointing at blackheads. Skin flaws that even I, Ms. Perfectionist, hadn’t thought about before! I knew I didn’t have flawless skin, but couldn’t believe something so tiny would be noticeable. I was so upset and embarrassed that I not only chewed my boyfriend out for pointing them out, but became completely self conscious about my “blackhead problem.” From then on, I developed a complex (and an intimate relationship with my magnifying mirror) and became obsessed with getting rid of them.
Since that fateful day, I’ve done tons of research, learning what those little black dots on your nose are and how to get rid of them! Although my boyfriend’s comment partially traumatized me, on the plus side, my skin is looking a lot better now and blackheads are no longer an issue.
If you want to get rid of blackheads yourself, or just want to know how to keep them away, read on!
Table of Contents
Tips for Getting Rid of Blackheads
Check your makeup
The truth is, what you put on to cover blackheads up might actually be causing more of them! If you wear lots of heavy foundation or use thick face creams, you could be contributing to the problem with your products! In general, if you have a problem with greasy skin and clogged pores, consider using as few products as you can. The fewer layers of stuff that you put on your face, the better.
Lots of water and healthy eating
Cliche’, maybe, but it’s so true. What you put into your body shows on the outside. Simple as that. If you eat lots of greasy crap, your skin is not going to look as good as it would if you ate more veggies and drank more water.
Use BHA for blackheads
BHA stands for Beta Hydroxy Acid, which is an exfoliant that removes the dead layer of skin from your face. If you’ve ever seen a skincare product that contains salicylic acid, that’s BHA. BHA is important for getting rid of blackheads because it goes into your pores to clean out the excess oil and dead skin cells that make up blackheads.
A great BHA product that I use is Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Anti Blemish Daily Moisturizer. I put it on at night after washing my face, and when I wake up, my skin always looks better and better. I have less blackheads, and as a bonus, my skin is clearer and softer than it was before!
Do a clay mask once a week
This is only for those of you with oily or combination skin. Dry skin, obviously, needs all the oil it can get. Blackheads are partially caused by excess oil on your face, so if you have greasy skin, a good quality clay mask will help sop up some of the grease and keep your pores clearer. Using it once a week is enough – you don’t want to over-dry your skin, because this could lead to even more problems!
Don’t bother with a pore strip
First of all, they’re basically useless for getting rid of anything that’s stuck deep in your pores. Second of all, they can actually damage your skin! I know these things look like miracle products, but save your money because they aren’t really going to help.
Squeeze, but do it carefully!
This is one situation where picking your face may actually help instead of making things worse. Don’t take this as permission to pick at your face all you want! There is a right and a wrong way to squeeze blackheads and it’s really important that you do it the right way.
First, wash your face with a gentle cleanser. (I like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.) Next, cover your face with a warm, wet cloth for 10 to 15 minutes. Pat your face dry, then wrap tissues around your fingers to prevent slippage. Use GENTLE pressure to press down then up around the sides of the blackhead. If nothing happens after one or two tries, stop. That means the blackhead isn’t ready to come out yet. Whatever you do, don’t pinch, use your nails or press too hard. This can damage your skin and might even lead to scars!
See a dermatologist
If all else fails, a derm can really help you out. They can prescribe things like Retin-A, antibiotics or Accutane, which can all help with blackheads. Procedures like microdermabrasion are also said to be effective, but I recommend trying the above steps first because the problem can usually clear itself up without these extreme treatments.
At the end of the day, blackheads are kind of an ongoing battle. For those of us who are prone to them, light makeup, gentle cleansers and BHA treatments are necessary to get rid of them and keep them away. There isn’t any magical cure that will rid you of them forever, but taking good care of you skin on an ongoing basis will work wonders.
Have you ever had a problem with blackheads? How do you get rid of blackheads? Do you recommend any products to help with the problem? Let me know in the comments!
I have terrible blackheads on my chin, nose and in between my eyebrows. they STINK. i believe i am getting the clean and clear blackhead eraser sometime this week. i hope that helps
I have a huge black head problem. I have them on my nose and chin and cheeks and back and chest. They are the most horoble things! Mine are huge you can see them from 5 meters away litteraly. Ive tried steaming my face each night for a couple of weeks. Ive tried pro active and all clean and clear and clearasil and avon products but nothing works. Can someone help me out here i would really appricate it
I’ve read so many articles about looking after black-head prone skin and they all said different things… I trust what this article says though, I’ve already found that clay masks help my skin a lot, so I’m going to take it one step further and try a salicylic acid exfoliator. I already drink a lot of water but I’m not so much a healthy eater.. Still working on that!
I just need to learn not to pick them – mine get worse after squeezing them, no matter what I do to sterilise the pore afterwards.
Thanks for the advice!
i have no idea if it works, but i’ve heard of people using white glue (the kind from kindergarten) and using it as a mask over your blackheads, letting it dry and peeling it off, i guess it would be kind of the same as using the strips, but cheaper, so if you wanted to try it, its a cheap alternative.
I haven’t done it personally, but a friend heard about it one of those “diy skin care/make up tips” kind of things.
i have them on my nose, i try not to bother with them, mine arent horribly noticeable, they actually kind of look like freckles because there not really black, if im going out i just cover them up, i think i have given up, the only thing that has worked, is squeezing them, but they always come back. they are a curse. lol.
best of luck everyone!
Karrie, that is nasty! But I know where you’re coming from.
great advice i think i am going to this.
Recently, I got so fed up with this one blackhead on my nose that I just spent around an hour trying to pop it. I hadn’t read this or any other FAQ sites, etc. before I attempted it. I’m worried that it will scar… You see, a while ago, I got the “beginning blackhead” as I call it— the kind that starts off small and more like a pimple than a real blackhead (it’s not an actual hole yet, is what I’m saying). I popped that and it reacted the way other acne would, except that it left a bigger spot than before! Now it was looking problematic. I didn’t do anything dramatic, but I did wash my face with Clearasil and wipe it off with the Clearasil cleansing pads for a month or so before I went to bed. A couple days ago I asked my sisters what I should do and both told me to either pop it or leave it alone. “HOW?!” is what I wondered! It’s a hole, not a bump, so how in the heck do you know when you’ve popped the little monster? I managed to squeeze it for a while but it only oozed a little (clear stuff) and caused any other 1st stage blackheads on my nose to pop. Now my nose is shiny and there is a little bit of glistening red skin around where the problem is. Any people with the same problem? I would really appreciate some help, here.
Thanks.
Great article. Very informative. I had pimples, nothing that bad, but bad enough to make me self concious, right from hi school to now. My friends say I have great skin but they have no clue what I went thru. Im 39 now, and still see every flaw. I tried so many different things. When I was younger I was so obsessed and would squeeze in front of the mirror with my nails leaving my face red with Nail marks. At times I would squeeze so hard Id go to school with 2-3 random band aids on my face and lie I cut myself shaving. The obsession got worse and worse. Id squeeze promising to stop after I got 1 more good one. Id wash with soap, which often did nothing or made worse. I used Retin-A when I was younger, which did help, but led to other irritations and dry mouth. The one thing I did that seemed to work wonders was microdermabrasion. I went once a month for 2-3 months, and suddenly women were complimenting how flawless my skin was. It was expensive. I paid $300 each time, but my confidence was soooo high, it was worth it. You notice the difference by the second month. I went to aplace in NYC called Ling in Soho. They were expensive, but they did the job. The first time I went, I walked out with $300 of product, which, honestly,as a str8 man, I just couldnt be bothered to use, and really didnt need to despite them telling me. Skip the product, get the microdermabrasion, and you should be good to go. Best to all.
thanks but iv tryed every thing i dont wear makeup and i drink lost of water i dont know what else to do =( i hate them please help mee !!
Oops! Typos! I meant “inexpensive” and “blackheads.” I usually check for typos prior to submitting comments. LOL
You can buy inexpesive tools in the cosmetics sections that help remove balckheads without the worry of fingernail scratches. Light makeup probably isn’t enough. Oil-free foundations, powders, acne concealers, and blushes could be better.
Thanks for the advice! it seems like i have the worst blackheads in the workd! i hate them
Agree with Cadi, that you should be very gentle with your skin so not to injure it. causing broken capillaries. Which is why professional facials are great, once a month if you can afford it, with a facialist who knows how to clean the pores gently without damaging your skin. Products to use, according to my dermatologist, include cetaphil to cleanse, Renova everynight (a prescription cream that will slowly eliminate blackheads), and staying out of the sun/wearing sunblock. Sun increases oil production and makes the skin look rough, long after the tan has faded. Blackheads are due to excess oil, which is genetic, so you can’t change the oil, just the way it looks. Facials and gentle treatment is key.
Cadi – Good point. In general though, if you remove the blackhead with really clean hands and use tissues so you don’t touch your face, you’ll probably be fine. At least that’s what I’ve always heard. And that’s true, after a shower is good. You just shouldn’t ever “steam” your face, because then you can weaken your skin and cause conditions like rosacea!
great advice!
After you remove the blackhead, clean the area. The pore can get infected, and that’s NEVER pleasant. A Q-tip with rubbing alcohol works fine for me.
Also, if the towels-on-face thing doesn’t work out for you, it actually works best if you try to remove them after a shower.