Blackheads
Blackheads, also called open comedones, are small, dark spots that appear on the skin’s surface as a result of clogged pores. Learn how to best treat and prevent them.
To help reduce excess sebum, try using a clay or charcoal mask, like the L'Oréal Paris Skincare Pure Clay Face Mask with Charcoal. These ingredients absorb oil and draw impurities like dirt and bacteria out of pores to keep them clear.
Another ingredient that can help combat excess oil and remove dead surface skin cells is benzoyl peroxide. Because it also kills acne-causing bacteria, it’s an effective treatment for inflamed acne pimples. Try the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser, which contains 4% benzoyl peroxide and helps target acne and blackheads without dehydrating skin.
Never try to remove blackheads by picking at or squeezing them. This can spread bacteria and cause damage to the skin. Instead, visit a board-certified dermatologist or a licensed esthetician for an extraction. These skin experts are equipped with the tools that make extractions and blackhead-removal possible in a sterile environment.
For more tips on how to get rid of blackheads, check out this guide.
How to Prevent Blackheads
In addition to regularly exfoliating to keep pores clear, use a non-comedogenic and oil-free moisturizer, sunscreen and other skincare products. These product categories are less likely to clog pores and cause blackheads. For a non-comedogenic moisturizer, try the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream.
