Blackhead Treatment: A Science Backed Approach

If you suffer from acne breakouts, you’ve likely seen a few blackheads. It can be socially awkward to deal with blackhead breakouts, especially as an adult. However, there are clinically proven blackhead treatment options available. The best products are formulated for your skin type and unique skincare concerns. In addition, your anti-blackhead routine should be designed to simultaneously prevent future breakouts while also addressing any existing issues.

Several skincare product ingredients are effective at addressing blackheads.

Salicylic Acid

One of the most commonly used ingredients is salicylic acid. This ingredient is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deep within the pores to address sebum accumulation. Salicylic acid breaks down the excess oil, along with the dead skin cells, allowing them to be sloughed off. In most products, the concentration of salicylic acid ranges from 0.5% to 5%. If you have sensitive skin, start with a lower concentration, and see how your skin responds to it before increasing the potency.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is another commonly used acne-fighter. However, it’s typically more effective against other forms of acne than against blackheads. It may or may not work for your blackheads, although if you’re dealing with other forms of acne like whiteheads or papules, this ingredient may be worth incorporating into your regular skincare routine.

Retinoid

A third ingredient to consider is a retinoid, which is derived from Vitamin A. Retinoid creams and lotions support skin cell turnover and renewal, and they work to unclog the pores. Retinoids are also able to fight signs of aging -- making it an amazing 2-in-1 anti-acne and anti-aging ingredient that you need in your skincare routine. Some retinoid products are available over-the-counter, while stronger ones require a prescription from a dermatologist. Note that retinoid products can cause skin sensitivity and irritation -- they will make your skin more vulnerable to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunscreen every day and reapply it every two hours to protect your skin and prevent additional skin issues like sun spots, wrinkles, and an awful sunburn.

Although blackhead products can be effective, they may take a while to clear up your skin. If you’ve got a big event coming up and you need to get rid of your blackheads quickly, consider visiting a dermatologist for manual extraction or a chemical peel. During an extraction, the doctor will use a specialized instrument known as a round loop extractor to remove it manually. This is a process that you should not try at home, as it can lead to skin scarring if done improperly. So no matter how tempted you may be to try to squeeze those blackheads out on your own, resist the temptation and wait to have it performed by a professional.

During a chemical peel, a professional will apply a strong acid to your skin to effectively peel off the top layers -- getting rid of the blackheads on the surface in the process. These peels can vary in strength depending on the severity of your blackheads.

If you don’t want to visit a dermatologist for this cosmetic procedure, you can use weaker chemical exfoliants at home. For instance, there are skincare products formulated with alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids like glycolic acid and salicylic acid, respectively.

It’s often thought that, because excessive sebum production can contribute to blackhead formation, it’s best to keep the skin dry. However, this will only worsen your skin health as the skin will only produce more oils that will continue to clog pores and cause blackheads, not to mention its effect on your comfort level -- either leaving you with dry and irritated skin or oily and shiny skin -- neither of which are good options!

Furthermore, some of the blackhead acne treatment ingredients can further dry out the skin by stripping away the oils. For these reasons, it’s essential to moisturize your skin thoroughly. Dermatologists recommend using a non-comedogenic moisturizer that will not plug up your pores. Look for lightweight but powerful nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Although you’ll want to focus on treating your existing acne, it’s also a good idea to work on preventing future breakouts. Since blackheads are associated with plugged pores, it’s essential to keep the pores clear to prevent them from reoccurring. Skincare experts recommend using an exfoliating facial scrub to slough off dead skin cells to prevent them from accumulating within the pores. Look for gentle and natural exfoliating ingredients like sugar, oats, baking soda, or coffee grounds.

However, it’s important not to overdo it in terms of frequency and application. If you have oily skin or combination skin, you can exfoliate up to three times per week. It’s usually a good idea to slowly build exfoliation into your skincare routine.

For example, start off with once a week, then increase it to twice, then thrice once your skin is accustomed to this process. However, if you experience sensitivity, reduce the frequency of exfoliation.

People who have sensitive skin may exfoliate once per week if their skin can tolerate it. You may wish to try a manual or electronic skincare brush in addition to using an exfoliating facial scrub. The bristles of a skin brush can cleanse the pores far more effectively than your fingers can. Like exfoliating scrubs, it’s possible to overdo skin brushing. Do it once or twice per week and remember to regularly disinfect and periodically replace the brush head. And when it comes to chemical exfoliation with acids, generally you should stick to just once a week, depending on the strength and potency of the specific product you’re using.

At PROVEN, we understand that your skin isn’t like anyone else’s. It’s unique, based on factors such as your lifestyle, environment, and skin type. Our powerful AI algorithm will take these factors into consideration, along with your skincare concerns and problems, and formulate three multifunctional products just for you. This award-winning system developed by three Stanford scientists incorporates tons of skincare data from more than 20 million skincare consumer reviews, 20,000 skincare ingredients, and 4,000 skincare-related scientific papers.

The result is an easy, three-step routine that fights blackheads using clinically proven ingredients. Take the PROVEN skin quiz today to find your personalized blackhead acne treatment and other products.

Based on what we have learned from our research, you’re definitely not alone in your acne struggles! In fact, 57% of customers are experiencing some level of acne and 43% of customers have skin sensitivities. This information led us to develop more than 2,000 different product combinations so that you can receive the best possible products for your unique skin.

As a part of your PROVEN skincare routine, you will receive three intelligently-formulated skincare products that pack a big punch.

First, you will receive a cleanser that’s able to gently yet effectively cleanse the skin of dirt, sweat, and oil that clog the pores and lead to blackheads. This incredible product also contains toning and exfoliating properties so that you can purify your skin after cleansing and get rid of stubborn dead skin cells that often contribute to the appearance of blackheads and other blemishes.

Second, you will receive a moisturizer that’s able to provide a ton of moisture and nourishment to your skin without being too heavy and clogging the pores. For instance, if you have oily skin and blackheads, you may receive a moisturizer with the lightweight humectant of hyaluronic acid. This moisturizer gets bonus points for also containing SPF 40 so that you can protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays each and every day without a second thought.

Finally, you will receive a night cream that’s formulated with high concentrations of the powerful ingredients you need to fight your skin concerns like blackheads. For instance, your blackhead night cream might include ingredients like niacinamide, salicylic acid, or retinol. These three steps will be able to effectively clean out those pesky blackheads while simultaneously tackling your other skincare concerns.

But don’t just take our word for it! We have third-party clinical testing to back it up. After just 30 days of PROVEN product use, 90% of people saw an improvement in the appearance of blemishes and impurities for a more even and healthy skin tone.

So what are you waiting for? Take our three-minute skin quiz today and say goodbye to those stubborn blackheads for good!