Get rid of blackheads
In essence, the truth about blackheads (usually accompanied by oily skin) and whiteheads or milia (usually accompanied by dry skin) is hard to accept.
What is the truth? The truth is they are just hard to get rid of. It is hard to win the battle against clogged pores. Usually, working pores produce a normal amount of sebum and easily distribute this oil to the surface of the skin. The amount of sebum produced is regulated almost exclusively by hormones. When a regular amount of oil is produced, it effortlessly moves through the pore and out onto the surface of skin, where it melts into an imperceptible film that forms a protective barrier over the face. When hormones cause too much oil to be produced, or skin cells block the path of the oil, you can get blackheads or whiteheads. Further exacerbating these conditions are skin-care or makeup products that can build up in the pore, along with skin cells that can get trapped in the sticky sebum. When sebum and skin cells are sitting in a pore that is not covered over by skin, they are exposed to the air, which causes the cells to oxidize and turn black. When the sebum and skin cells are sitting in a pore that is covered by skin, they are not exposed to air and therefore stay clear, but form a slight white bump under the skin.
Honestly, these are the few ways you can adopt to rid yourself of those pesky blackheads:
1) Gentle, water-soluble cleansers (and avoiding bar soap). The ingredients that keep soap in its bar form can clog pores, and irritation can cause skin cells to flake off before they're ready and accumulate in the pore. There are lots of gentle cleansers to consider, ranging from Alpha Hydrox, Aveeno, Cetaphil, and Neutrogena to
2) Gentle exfoliants that can both remove the excess skin cells on the surface of the face and exfoliate inside the pore. Keep in mind that the pore itself is lined with skin cells that can build up, creating a narrowed shape that doesn't allow for natural oil flow. But don't get carried away with this step. Overdoing it can cause problems and hurt skin. Exfoliation is essential for both dry and oily skin to eliminate blackheads or whiteheads. Again, someone with dry skin will want an exfoliant that has a more moisturizing base. The best option for a good exfoliant is a 1% or 2% BHA gel, liquid, or lotion.
By the way, topical disinfectants such as benzoyl peroxide or topical antibiotics available by prescription do not help in the treatment of blackheads and milia because there is no bacterial involvement related to these conditions.
3) Absorbing excess oil. This step is for those with oily skin and is not necessary for those with whiteheads and dry skin, because with dry skin the problem isn't excess oil, it's trapped oil. For those with oily skin, you all know I prefer milk of magnesia. Clay masks are an option. Just use them as long as they don't contain other irritants, they can have a positive effect in absorbing oil.
What is the truth? The truth is they are just hard to get rid of. It is hard to win the battle against clogged pores. Usually, working pores produce a normal amount of sebum and easily distribute this oil to the surface of the skin. The amount of sebum produced is regulated almost exclusively by hormones. When a regular amount of oil is produced, it effortlessly moves through the pore and out onto the surface of skin, where it melts into an imperceptible film that forms a protective barrier over the face. When hormones cause too much oil to be produced, or skin cells block the path of the oil, you can get blackheads or whiteheads. Further exacerbating these conditions are skin-care or makeup products that can build up in the pore, along with skin cells that can get trapped in the sticky sebum. When sebum and skin cells are sitting in a pore that is not covered over by skin, they are exposed to the air, which causes the cells to oxidize and turn black. When the sebum and skin cells are sitting in a pore that is covered by skin, they are not exposed to air and therefore stay clear, but form a slight white bump under the skin.
Honestly, these are the few ways you can adopt to rid yourself of those pesky blackheads:
1) Gentle, water-soluble cleansers (and avoiding bar soap). The ingredients that keep soap in its bar form can clog pores, and irritation can cause skin cells to flake off before they're ready and accumulate in the pore. There are lots of gentle cleansers to consider, ranging from Alpha Hydrox, Aveeno, Cetaphil, and Neutrogena to
2) Gentle exfoliants that can both remove the excess skin cells on the surface of the face and exfoliate inside the pore. Keep in mind that the pore itself is lined with skin cells that can build up, creating a narrowed shape that doesn't allow for natural oil flow. But don't get carried away with this step. Overdoing it can cause problems and hurt skin. Exfoliation is essential for both dry and oily skin to eliminate blackheads or whiteheads. Again, someone with dry skin will want an exfoliant that has a more moisturizing base. The best option for a good exfoliant is a 1% or 2% BHA gel, liquid, or lotion.
By the way, topical disinfectants such as benzoyl peroxide or topical antibiotics available by prescription do not help in the treatment of blackheads and milia because there is no bacterial involvement related to these conditions.
3) Absorbing excess oil. This step is for those with oily skin and is not necessary for those with whiteheads and dry skin, because with dry skin the problem isn't excess oil, it's trapped oil. For those with oily skin, you all know I prefer milk of magnesia. Clay masks are an option. Just use them as long as they don't contain other irritants, they can have a positive effect in absorbing oil.
Labels: Blackheads, Skincare Tips
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