Blackheads are my nemesis. Period.
I was lucky to never have acne on my face. But my chest was a different story, and blackhead removal seemed impossible, no matter how much I washed. So, I obsessively bought crewnecks and never wore anything to show my chest…until now.
After finally buying Neutrogena’s Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub, my life was changed. (I’ll talk about that more later.)
But first, I did a little research to find out why I was having so many breakouts. While most were obvious, I didn’t realize that it could be so brutal to skimp on your skincare every now and then. Read on to find out why breakouts happen, and which blackhead removal products will get rid of them forever.
What Causes Blackheads?
First of all, blackheads are clogged pores. They won’t come to a lovely whitehead, which can be a blessing, but they’re annoying anyway. So, what are some reasons behind them?
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Hormonal changes, like your period or birth control. While some birth control helps reduce acne, it can also cause it. Bummer.
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Too much body oil. So, even if you want to sit in your gym clothes after working out, maybe shower first. And if you have oily skin, definitely wash with products that won’t increase oil. But here’s the trick: the more you strip your face of oil, the more your body will overproduce oil to compensate so DO NOT skip the moisturizer and do not incorporate too many products that are acne-fighting or drying. Avoid essential oils and opt for gel moisturizers that are lighter-weight than creams and water-based. There are many great choices in Korean skincare.
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Irritated hair follicles due to skin cells that won’t shed. Again, washing and exfoliating your skin on a regular basis can help prevent these.
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Wearing cakey makeup…and then not washing it off. It’s a common culprit, but it can be easy to say “next time.” And while makeup remover wipes are better than nothing, they don’t dig deep into your pores.
Blackhead Removal Products
Now that you know the causes, here are some products to help with blackhead removal!
Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub
This. Was. Life changing. After using this exfoliating scrub for about a week, my chest blackheads were gone. I now obsessively use it because prevention is key (I break out easily). It has salicylic acid, and it’s environmentally friendly, with no plastic microbeads.
Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask
I thought charcoal was overhyped…until I began using charcoal masks. In this mask, bamboo charcoal removes extra oil, and white China clay fights toxins that appear on your skin throughout the day.
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser
This blackhead removal pore cleanser is more than just your typical salicylic acid mix. While, yes, the salicylic helps unclog, zinc compound is anti-inflammatory, and Allantoin 0.5% lowers irritation and helps rejuvenate healthy skin tissue.
Dermalogica Clear Start Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask
This blackhead removal mask is FILLED with natural ingredients, including Vitamin E, that fizz up and leave your skin flawless and nourished. Salicylic acid and glucosamine edge out dead skin cells, and silica, kaolin clay, and laminaria saccharina fight off dirt and oil.
Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum
This pore vacuum has five settings, making it possible to remove blackheads without irritating the skin. There are also five probes depending on what skin problem you want to fight (like blackhead removal, or dead skin). No chemicals here — just gentle suckage.
Do you have a favorite blackhead removal product? Let us know in the comments!
Looking For More Skincare Help? Read These Articles:
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