How to remove blackheads?

Blackheads or open comedones on the face can be caused by a number of factors, both internal and external. It makes the complexion look unsightly. How can you restore beautiful, blemish-free skin? Is it safe to pierce comedones? Or use patches? In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know about blackheads, plus tips and tricks for getting rid of them.

Skin care to eliminate blackheads

1) Cleansing the skin:

Effective cleansing is necessary to remove all impurities, oxidized sebum, pollution, make-up and sunscreen residues. However, it's important to avoid overly aggressive cleansers that contain surfactants that attack the skin. Another tip is to avoid soap.

2) Exfoliation with salicylic acid: BHA

There are two types of exfoliants: AHAs and BHAs. AHAs are made up of glycolic, lactic and other acids, while BHAs are essentially made up of salicylic acid, which is the active ingredient we're interested in fighting blackheads.

BHAs are liposoluble, i.e. they are soluble in fat, so they can act deep down to cleanse pores. Salicylic acid is an ideal active ingredient for acne-prone skin, oily skin prone to pimples, but also for people bothered by dilated pores.

Salicylic acid can also be found in cleansers, but it doesn't stay in contact with the skin for long. You can also introduce a. Salicylic acid or a BHA with a classic exfoliant to be used after cleansing and moisturizing lotion.

3) Niacinamide: Vitamin B3

To read our guide to anti-blackhead cleansers You'll also find our selection of cosmetics: cleansing balm, cleansing oil, cleansing gel, purifying care.

Niacinamide reduces sebum production, making it an ideal ingredient in the fight against blackheads. What's more, niacinamide strengthens our skin barrier, which is useful when exfoliating and when using retinol.

4) Retinol: Vitamin A

Retinol is an ingredient belonging to the retinoid family, derived from vitamin A. It can be used to treat a wide range of skin problems, including dilated pores and blackheads.

This active ingredient accelerates the cell regeneration cycle, meaning that dead cells are more rapidly replaced by younger cells. This acceleration of cell renewal makes it easier to clean pores.

On the other hand, retinoids have an anti-inflammatory action, regulate sebum production and promote the elimination of the C acnes bacteria responsible for acne. All these mechanisms mean that creams containing vitamin A (which is a retinoid) are just as effective at getting rid of blackheads and purifying our pores.

However, retinol is an extremely powerful product that can be irritating. It must be used with great care to avoid irritation. You can start by applying your retinol cream 2 or 3 times a week. You also need to moisturize and nourish your skin so that it can withstand the application of retinol.

Clay masks

Only a facial care will effectively solve this skin problem.

Our guide to salicylic acid products to fight blackheads

Our guide to exfoliants to fight blackheads

Our guide to anti-blackhead serums

Our guide to anti-blackhead creams

Our guide to using masks to fight blackheads

Other interesting treatments and ingredients:

For example, zinc-based cosmetics offer satisfactory results on oily or combination skin thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Sun protection: During the day, protect your skin with a sunscreen to avoid skin hypersensitivity.

Some organic plant oils are interesting, but may encourage the appearance of blackheads.

Anti-blackhead skincare routine:

Before adopting a facial care routine to treat blackheads, it's a good idea to stop applying the comedogenic beauty products responsible for pimples and whiteheads. Pay close attention to product formulas. This helps prevent occlusive substances from becoming embedded in the pilar canal.

Use purifying treatments morning and night to prevent occlusive materials from becoming embedded in the hair shaft.

To regain a clear skin texture, you need to choose quality cosmetic products. To do this, you'll need to select cosmetics with active ingredients such as:

A anti-blackhead cleansing gel adapted and anti-blackhead lotion

A niacinamide serum in the morning

Retinol cream in the evening

Skin hydration adapted to your skin type

Applying a clay mask once a week

The idea is to adopt a beauty routine with specific care products to avoid overproduction of sebum and clogging of the hair ducts. The cleansing products used should not aggress or strip the epidermis. This type of beauty routine will improve dilated pores, acne and any skin imperfections. From time to time, you can apply a face mask containing purifying active ingredients.

The different causes of blackheads :

Open comedones often appear on the T-zone, particularly around the nose. They form when the hair ducts become clogged with dead cells, sebum, make-up residue and pollution. It is these residues that harden and inevitably lead to clogged pores. As it oxidizes, this build-up takes on a black color, hence the name POINT NOIR.

If left untreated, open comedones can become infected.

Oily and combination skin is characterized by dilated pores. They are also more prone to blackheads, as they produce much more sebum than normal or dry skin.

Several other factors can cause the appearance of these blackheads:

An unbalanced diet, in particular insulin spikes caused by sugar intake and unhealthy fats. A poor diet causes sebum to lose quality and become less liquid, making it more likely to clog pores.

Unsuitable cleaning that leaves impurities or is too aggressive "soap".

Dehydrated skin: People prone to acne don't moisturize their skin enough: as a result, our body defends itself and increases sebum production.

Application of comedogenic cosmetics or make-up;

Hormonal problems (menopause, puberty)

Common mistakes in the fight against blackheads

Use alcohol-rich or overly aggressive cosmetics

Unfortunately, there's no quick fix for open pores. Here are a few tips to prevent you from ending up with a damaged face.

The sun is not your friend

Exposure to the sun leads to an accumulation of sebum under the epidermis due to hyperkeratinization. My opinion on best sun creams.

Do not pierce pores

Removing blackheads with your fingers won't miraculously solve the problem. On the contrary, it could lead to inflammation or even infection. It would be wiser to entrust this task to a specialist, such as a dermatologist or beautician.

In fact, extracting keratinocytes by forcefully squeezing the epidermis is not only ineffective, it's also dangerous. Blackheads return after just a few days. Also, if fingers are not properly disinfected, germs will cause cysts to form, leaving scars that are difficult to remove.

Use blackhead removers on the nose with care

Dermatologists recommend taking great care when using these objects, particularly the blackhead remover and comedo vacuum. Their use requires technique and know-how to avoid the risk of infection. It's also preferable to use them only occasionally, to avoid further dilation of the hair ducts and irritation of the skin.

Apply blackhead patches sparingly to the nose

Anti-blackhead patches have an adhesive side for extracting open blackheads. This fairly effective method can quickly damage the epidermis, if used too often. Removing the patch also irritates part of the epidermis. Cleansing with these patches may be effective in the short term, but it is not a long-term treatment. Furthermore, patches containing alcohol or other astringent components can irritate skin tissue.

Aesthetic treatments to get rid of open comedones

Medical treatment can be carried out by a dermatologist. The specialist can suggest various solutions, such as peels or lasers, to tighten the hair ducts and limit the formation of open comedones.

Anti-blackhead tip:

Open the pilar canals with steam:

Once the hair ducts are open, the epidermis is ready for cleansing. This process should be repeated morning and evening for best results. In fact, this preparatory stage enables the skin care products to penetrate the pilary canal and remove the blackhead.

For deep cleansing, dilation of the hair ducts is essential. A steam bath is a very effective way of achieving this. Facial saunas using very hot water make it easier to remove blackheads. Simply fill a large bowl or saucepan with a sufficient quantity of boiling water, and fumigate for a few minutes, covering your head with a towel. You can add mint leaves or lemon slices to the water. Then gently dry your face with a clean towel.

Before starting treatment, it's always a good idea to perform a thorough cleansing. The following steps will guide you step-by-step through your anti-dark spot treatment.

Focus on exfoliants:

Chemical exfoliants:

There are three families of exfoliants: BHAs: salicylic acid, AHAs: glycolic acid, lactic acid, etc. and PHAs: gluconolactone and lactobionic acid. Salicylic, AHA: glycolic, lactic a. etc. and PHA gluconolactone and lactobionic a.. BHAs help to dissolve clogging by exfoliating the hair ducts deep down, removing dead cells and sebum. This chemical exfoliation not only unclogs these channels, but also unifies the complexion and improves its texture, "especially the AHAs". In addition, this type of exfoliant improves cell renewal and promotes better penetration of cosmetics. This type ofanti-blackhead scrub is ideal for people with skin rashes.

The ordinary cosmetic peel-type masks can be applied once a week. Be careful if you're using it for the first time.

Avoid physical scrubs and exfoliants

I don't recommend scrubs as they can irritate your skin without any real benefit for the face. On the other hand, you can use scrubs on your body without excess.

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