There’s probably not a person on earth who hasn’t fallen victim to blackheads – one of the most feared skin issues – at some point in their life. But fear not, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know to combat them, from the treatments to try to the skincare ingredients to deploy.
What are blackheads?
Much like other spots, blackheads are pores that have become blocked by dead skin and oils. “Blackhead is the lay term for open comedones,” explains Dr Mary Sommerlad. “It is a hair follicle or pore which is filled with keratin, sebum and dirt from the environment – the oxygen in the air oxidises the cream-coloured sebum which makes it black, hence the term.” In comparison, whiteheads are still covered by skin, which is why they remain white. Anyone can get blackheads but they’re most commonly found in areas where pores are larger, such as the nose, jawline and forehead.
What causes blackheads?
Just like any other kind of spot, a blackhead is largely caused by a build-up of oil, dead skin and dirt. Clinical facialist and skin expert Kate Kerr told Vogue, “[It] can be caused by a number of factors: over-production of oil for one, which is connected to our hormones. Stress, which can upset our hormonal balance further, and perhaps the use of cosmetic products, such as oils and rich moisturisers, which actually do more harm than good and block the pores.” Having genetically larger pores or a very oily complexion can also complicate things further, along with the aforementioned hormonal imbalances that can cause sebum production to go into overdrive.
How to get rid of blackheads?
The age-old question: what can we do to lose the blackheads? Kerr says your first job is to look at the root of the problem, rather than just the symptoms. “Any kind of blockage is the result of an over-production of oil and our skin cells not shedding efficiently, resulting in a build-up of debris within the pores,” explains Kerr. Any impediment to this natural skin shedding can prove an obstacle to clear skin.
In fact, many things can interact with cell turnover, such as thick, pore-clogging creams and oils that tend to “sit” on the skin. “Look for products which are labelled oil-free or non-comedogenic,” suggests Dr Anjali Mahto. “Whilst not a guarantee that these formulas won’t cause blackheads, they’re better than a product which does not carry the label.”
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