Blackheads primarily affect combination to oily skin types. They notably appear on the chin, nose, and forehead. Difficult to eliminate, they cannot be removed by simple cleansing. How can we get rid of blackheads? Let's delve into the subject.
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How to eradicate blackheads?
Summary
Published June 26, 2021,
updated on February 19, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
5 min read
Blackheads: What You Need to Know.
Blackheads, also known as "open comedones," are slightly raised fatty clusters that appear on the skin due to clogged pores. The term "blackheads" comes from the fact that the surface is dark. This coloration is due to the oxidation of the content when it comes into contact with air. Therefore, the appearance of these unsightly plugs is the consequence of an excess of sebum and a buildup of dead cells and impurities in the dilated pores. They can be found not only on the face but also on other parts of the body: back, décolleté, shoulders, etc... Even though blackheads most often appear on combination to oily skin types, which naturally tend to have dilated pores and secrete a significant amount of sebum, all skin types can carry them. Indeed, other factors can promote their occurrence:
The use of certain medications such as corticosteroids, lithium, or androgens;
The hormonal changes during pregnancy, adolescence, or menstrual periods;
Poor skin hygiene ;
Theuse of comedogenic skincare products or those that are unsuitable for one's skin type.
How to get rid of it?
Of course, the first step to take is toavoid handling and dislodging them with your fingers. Your nails are real breeding grounds for bacteria, which can infect them and worsen the situation. There are other more effective tricks to get rid of them. Adopting a non-comedogenic skincare routine is one way to combat blackheads and prevent their appearance. This routine should include the following treatments:
At the end of a long day, the first thing to do is to remove your makeup. Indeed, sleeping with makeup on can clog pores and promote the appearance of new blackheads. Therefore, in the evening, it is mandatory to cleanse and use a washing care product, even if you never wear makeup. First, remove traces of makeup, pollution, and impurities on the skin with a micellar water or a makeup removing oil. Continue with our cleansing gel for a deeper, yet gentle pore cleansing, thus freeing the skin from impurities.
Even thoughexfoliation is not recommended in cases of inflammatory acne, it is however strongly advised to do it regularly if you have blackheads. Indeed, it helps to gently remove dead cells that can lead to pore obstruction, but also existing blackheads. Instead of opting for a mechanical scrub (with grains), you can favor the daily application of a care product based on fruit acids (A.H.A.), such as glycolic acid or lactic acid. Both work by eliminating the most superficial layer of the epidermis (horny layer) and prevent the formation of blackheads.
Once a week, in addition to your weekly exfoliating treatment, perform a purifying mask with green clay and charcoal. It works deeply to extract sebum and other impurities, thus helping to unclog the pores.
Next, choose the purifying toner with salicylic acid, known for its exfoliating action. It helps to break down the substances that clog the pores. It is also known to limit the growth of microorganisms.
Conclude your skincare routine by applying a moisturizer suitable for your skin type. For instance, for combination to oily skin, opt for the purifying face cream enriched with zinc PCA and bamboo extract. Zinc PCA is a natural active ingredient that acts on inflammation, regulates sebum production, and inhibits bacterial proliferation. On the other hand, bamboo extract absorbs excess sebum.
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