It can be hard to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads. After squeezing them for a period, you will find dozens more to tackle. Both blackheads and whiteheads form when pores are clogged with impurities, dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria. A blackhead is a clogged pore that stays open, on the contrary, a whitehead is a blocked pore that closes.
(1) Pore strips
Pore strips are good for removing the blackheads on the forehead, the nose, and the chin regularly. Pore strips are adhesive strips that can pull out open comedones, which are also called blackheads. You can use a steamer or a boiling pot of water to steam your face. This can soften the skin and open the pores first. Then, place the pore strip against the nose and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Finally, peel off the stripe and rinse off with lukewarm water.
(2) Facial scrub
Regular exfoliation is the best way to get rid of both blackheads and whiteheads. You should choose a gentle facial scrub without harsh ingredients to avoid skin irritation. Exfoliating the skin can draw out the impurities, dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria from the pores. Facial scrubs containing salicylic acid are especially good for removing whiteheads. Remember to apply non-comedogenic moisturizers after exfoliation to lock in skin moisture and avoid clogging pores.
(3) Deep cleansing mask
Deep cleansing masks like clay masks, charcoal masks, and peel-off masks can dissolve the build-up of dead skin cells in the pores. They can also absorb excess oil to reduce the amounts of acne, blackhead, and whitehead. Try to use a deep cleansing mask twice a week to prevent clogged pores and make your skin look clearer!
(4) Add salicylic acid to your skincare routine
Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) derived from willow bark. It is oil-soluble and can penetrate through the lipid layers between the skin cells, meaning that it can penetrate into the pores of your skin to unclog them. Therefore it is often used for skin exfoliation and to remove acne, blackheads and whiteheads.
When starting a new salicylic acid-based product, start slowly by using the product half as often as the product suggests, then work your way up to the instructed frequency when you know how your skin reacts to the ingredients.
