5 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Blackheads!
A world without blackheads? Sounds like a dream.
Thankfully, it can be your reality by following some of the tips below. From exfoliating with AHAs and BHAs to doubling down on your face mask use, check out the top five dermatologist-approved tips for getting rid of blackheads.
1. Incorporate Salicylic Acid into Your Routine
If you know anything about acne and skincare, it’s probably that salicylic acid is constantly hailed as a breakout saviour. While this might make you dubious, let us reassure you that salicylic acid lives up to the hype. Salicylic acid is an exfoliating beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that removes excess oil and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Thus, if you have blackheads, salicylic acid should be your go-to ingredient. You can find it in everything from toners and cleansers to serums and spot treatments. We recommend checking out our new AHA/BHA Resurfacing Kit that is chock full of the blackhead-fighting acid.
2. Consider Retinol
If you’re suffering from some seriously stubborn blackheads or they are a recurring skincare issue you have, then you may want to consider something stronger than BHAs. In this case, we recommend a retinoid cream. Retinol stimulates cell turnover while simultaneously unclogging pores. This combination can have incredible effects on the skin. However, it is an extremely powerful ingredient, meaning you should ease yourself into it by applying it once a week to start and gradually increase use from there.
3. Exfoliate with AHAs
BHAs (namely salicylic acid) are praised as the best acne-fighting ingredient on the market. And while we can’t deny the fantastic benefits of salicylic acid, there is another category of acids that doesn’t get enough love: alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). A much gentler type of acid, AHAs like glycolic acid, citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, and tartaric acid, help exfoliate the surface layer of the skin, where blackheads often lie. Used in combination with BHAs, they can help cleanse your pores, leaving you with a smooth, bright, blackhead-free complexion.
4. Moisturiser is Key
Is there any skin condition that couldn’t benefit from a little hydration? We don’t think so. Whether you’re dealing with inflammation, eczema, or blackheads, hydration is key. When trying to get rid of blackheads or other types of acne, chances are you’re using some of the ingredients mentioned above (retinol, salicylic acid, or other AHAs like citric acid, malic acid, or lactic acid). While these are all extremely effective when it comes to avoiding or treating acne, they can also be extremely drying. For this reason, never abandon your moisturiser when using these products. Instead, always follow up your retinol or BHA treatment with a non-comedogenic moisturiser. If your skin is especially sensitive, you can even try mixing your acne treatment into your moisturiser and applying them onto your skin at once.
5. Apply a Clay Face Mask
Last but not least, when trying to get rid of blackheads, there is no better face mask than a clay face mask. Clay helps draw out oils and toxins from the skin, which work to unclog pores. Plus, many clay face masks also feature plant extracts and vitamins like kakadu plum, hemp, and acai, which help even skin tone and improve skin brightness. The benefits are endless!
