Blocking Blackheads

Everyone dreads blackheads and clogged pores. We receive daily requests for help eliminating blackheads.  

FAVORITE PRODUCTS FOR TREATING BLACKHEADS>

Technically called comedones, there are several types of blackeads. Open comedones are what most people call "blackheads." Closed comedones appear as small bumps or pebbles just under the skin. Blackheads occur frequently in people with oily skin areas. They begin as a build-up of dead epidermal cells on the walls of the follicle. This phenomenon is known as retention hyperkeratosis, a hereditary condition in which the cells do not shed normally, thus forming a "build-up" lining the follicle. This build-up is coated with sebum that solidifies, forming a clump-like mass in the bottom of the follicle, known as a microcomedo. From this beginning, either an open or closed comedo is formed.

The small clogged pores on the nose are not classic comedones. They are called sebaceous filaments and are mostly just solidified sebum. Oxidation causes the black part as sebum is exposed to oxygen. Closed comedones do not have a black color because they are not exposed to air. Sebaceous filaments form quickly because of the volume of sebum produced in oily areas like the nose and re normal.  Antioxidant serums can help reduce the darkening of these facial oils.

The development of clogged pores and blackheads is a chronic condition, also known as Maturation Arrest Acne and require the guidance of a certified acne specialist.  Once the visible clogs are gone, proper home care products must be used or the pebbles and blackheads will rapidly return.

Avoid clogging products

Avoid using any facial product or cosmetic that is on our Acnegenic List. Pore Clogging and acnegenic products contain oils, certain waxes, fats, fatty acids or esters that can penetrate the follicle and cause clogged pores from the outside. Avoid any product that is oily or heavy. Many of these are acnegenic and pore clogging. These fatty materials can be present in almost any product, but are most often found in moisturizers, creams, makeup foundations and powders. Acnegenic fatty materials are used in products as emollients and spreading agents and to add softness to products.

An acne safe product does not contain these fatty emollients and is generally very light in texture and thickness. Review our Acnegenic Ingredient List Here>>

FAVORITES FOR BLACKHEAD-PRONE SKIN

Giving the skin an extra deep cleanse every few days can be very helpful for those with sticky pores. Here are some our favorite cleansers for deep cleaning: Sorella Lychee Willow Bark Deep Clean, Skin Script Raspberry Refining Cleanser & Le Mieux Exfoliating Cleanser

Mask: Use twice per week, Skin Script Retinol 2% Scrub/Mask or once per week use Sorella Rosehip Warming Mask or Skin Script Charcoal Refining Mask

Blackhead-ridden skin that is also oily:  Skin Script Glycolic & Retinol Pads (may be used once per week or once per day, depending on the strength of the skin)