What Are Blackheads & What Causes Them ?

​​​Blackheads are a type of mild acne-prone skin manifestation that appear as small, black or brown dots on the skin. ​​Most people experience black at some point in their lives, especially if their skin is oily or prone to blackeads​​This type of acne-prone manifestation can be stubborn and tends to appear in highly visible places, such as your nose, chin, and forehead. Ahead, discover the key facts about this skin concern—including what triggers blackheads and ​​how to help treat and prevent them with a targeted skincare routine.

Overview

​​​Blackheads commonly occur during your teenage years, but it’s possible to experience them at any age. ​​According to the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 10-20% of adults have blackheads.1 ​​They are most likely to appear on your face ​​but are also common on the neck, back, and chest. ​​Although blackheads can be an annoyance, they aren’t uncomfortable and can usually be treated at home with a ​​In most cases, the best way to minimise these pesky bumps is with gentle yet effective products that feature active ingredients for blackheads, such as salicylic acid.

Basic Facts About Blackheads

• Blackheads are a common form of acne-prone skin manifestation formally known as “open comedones” (meaning “open pores”).
• ​​​​​These small, black or brown bumps on the skin occur when open pores become clogged with excess sebum (oil) and dead skin cells.
• Although it may look as if dirt is trapped in your pores, blackheads get their dark color via a chemical reaction that occurs when your pore’s contents are exposed to oxygen.
• ​The best way to help treat and prevent blackheads is with a daily skincare routine that includes targeted formulas developed by dermatologists.

What Are Blackheads?

​​​Blackheads are categorised as a type of acne-prone skin manifestation known as comedonal acne-prone. ​​When your pores become blocked with oil or dead skin cells, they can become irritated - leading to small, rough-textured bumps on the skin’s surface (known as comedones). ​​These comedones can manifest in one of two ways: whiteheads (“closed comedones”) or blackheads (“open comedones”).

​​In the case of whiteheads, the pore is completely closed up, which results in a white or flesh-colored bump. Blackheads, on the other hand, occur when the opening of a pore is widened, leaving it exposed to the environment. This allows oxygen to enter the pore, which then creates the characteristic dark color associated with blackheads.

​What Causes Blackheads?

​​​You’ve already learned that blackheads are caused by clogged pores (comedones) that have become inflamed. ​​But what causes your pores to become clogged in the first place? ​​For starters, you may be more prone to experiencing blackheads if you have oily skin. This skin type is characterised by skin that produces an excess of sebum, which may lead to more frequent blackheads. ​​For adolescents, blackheads can also be influenced by hormonal fluctuations.

​​​Although they don’t directly cause blackheads, comedogenic (pore-clogging) cosmetics or improper skincare techniques may also be a contributing factor. Some people over-wash oily skin, for example, in an effort to remove excess oil. But this can actually cause your skin to overcompensate by producing even more oil.

​Common Misconceptions About Blackheads

Blackheads are pretty common, but unfortunately, so are blackhead myths and misconceptions. To help you avoid common pitfalls, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common acne-prone skin manifestation myths about blackheads below.

Myth #1: Blackheads are caused by dirt

​​​Many people believe blackheads are just dirt trapped in their skin. ​​However, contrary to popular belief, these black or brown specks are not the result of dirt or poor hygiene. ​​They actually get their dark color from a chemical reaction known as oxidation, where oxygen in the air reacts with melanin (skin pigment). ​​So, although proper cleansing can influence your skin’s appearance, being unclean is not considered the root cause of blackheads.

Myth #2: Blackheads are caused by your diet

​​​Your daily nutrition can impact your skin’s overall appearance, so it’s important to follow a healthy, balanced diet. ​​However, when it comes to diet and acne-prone skin manifestation specifically, there’s still some ongoing debate over whether certain foods can make your skin more vulnerable to get an a blemish-prone skin condition. Currently, ​​some research suggests that there may be a link between dairy products, whey protein, and acne-prone skin.² If you suspect that something you’re eating or drinking is impacting your skin negatively, schedule a visit to your doctor or dermatologist’s office.

Myth #3: You can’t wear makeup if you have blackheads

If you’re a makeup wearer, you might question whether your makeup products are behind your blackheads. The answer? It’s possible. ​​Using the wrong types of makeup products, or failing to remove your makeup at the end of the day, may contribute to acne-prone skin blemishes. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t wear makeup if you struggle with blackheads. ​​To help keep your pores clear, we recommend using non-comedogenic products (which are formulated not to clog your pores) and makeup formulas that are designed specifically for acne-prone skin.

Myth #4: ​​You should squeeze blackheads to remove them

​​​You’ve probably been tempted to squeeze blackheads in an effort to get rid of them quickly. Maybe you even do it regularly. But this is generally not a good idea, as picking or squeezing pimples can cause a number of skin issues. For instance, it’s possible to irritate or damage your skin, especially if too much pressure is applied. You might also push the blackhead deeper into your skin or introduce additional oil and germs This, in turn, can potentially worsen your blackhead or trigger other types of breakouts.

​​​If you’re struggling with deep blackheads, you may consider visiting a dermatologist’s office for a professional blackhead extraction. Your dermatologist will have the correct tools, technique, and environment to properly remove blackheads and lessen their risk of returning.

Myth #5: Blackheads and large pores are the same thing

​​​People often confuse blackheads with enlarged pores, but the two are different. Everybody has pores, and some people’s pores are naturally larger and more visible. This doesn’t always mean that your pores are clogged or that you have blackheads. There are many factors that can affect the size of your pores, including sun damage, genetics, and age.

Tips To Help Treat and Prevent Blackheads

​​​Blackheads often go away on their own when you reach adulthood. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. If you’re dealing with stubborn blackheads, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Here are some of the top skincare tips to help you prevent blackheads and minimise their appearance.

Choose a mild cleanser for acne-prone skin

​​​​​The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends washing oily and blemish-prone skin twice daily (morning and night), as well as after sweating. To help target blackheads, we recommend choosing a gentle face wash with 2% salicylic acid, such as CeraVe Blemish-Control Cleanser.​Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) and popular acne-prone skin fighting ingredient that promotes the skin’s natural exfoliation process. ​​clogged pores), salicylic acid is considered an effective option for minimising the look of blackheads.

Don’t skip moisturiser

​​​Whether you have blackheads or another type of acne-prone skin manifestation (like papules or pustules), it’s important not to skip moisturiser. Instead, focus on choosing a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser that’s formulated to keep your skin hydrated without clogging your pores. We recommend a morning and nighttime moisturiser duo, like CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion and PM Facial Moisturising Lotion. ​​These face moisturisers are allergy-tested, oil-free, and fragrance-free, which makes them suitable for all skin types—including acne-prone skin. Like all CeraVe products, they also feature three essential ceramides to lock in moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier.

Look for acne-prone skincare products with salicylic acid ​​or retinol

​​​As mentioned above, gentle exfoliation with chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid can be useful for managing blackheads. ​​Try adding a full-face acne-prone skin treatment with 2% salicylic acid to your daily regimen, such as CeraVe Blemish-Control Gel ​​This gentle hydrating acne-prone gel is formulated to clear acne-prone skin, help improve the appearance of pores, and enhance skin smoothness. ​​It can be applied daily after cleansing onto clean, dry skin.

​​​Another treatment option to consider is a topical retinol formula, like ​​CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum. ​​This fragrance-free serum is designed to help resurface your skin’s texture and reduce the appearance of pores. ​​It’s gentle enough to be used daily and can help refine your skin without compromising its ​​protective barrier.

Always remove your makeup before bed

​​​If you wear makeup, remember to always remove it thoroughly before bed. ​​Leftover traces of makeup can build up on your skin, and potentially worsen blackheads. Using a makeup remover in addition to your regular face wash can help ensure your skin is thoroughly cleansed. ​ ​​​The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends removing makeup before and after working out.​​

Avoid touching your face

​​​

Your hands can spread pore-clogging oils or bacteria to your skin, which can contribute to blackheads. ​​Therefore, it’s best to avoid touching your face unnecessarily throughout the day. ​​If you do touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.

Seek the help of a dermatologist when needed

If you aren’t seeing any improvement in your blackheads despite following a consistent at-home routine, it may be time to visit a dermatologist. Your dermatologist can help recommend the best over-the-counter products to minimise the appearance of blackheads and answer any questions you might have. In some cases, stubborn blackheads may require professional extraction or prescription-strength products, which can only be prescribed by a medical professional.

References

1. “Blackheads: What They Look Like, Treatment and Prevention.” Cleveland Clinic, 2023.
2. Shmerling, Robert H., MD. “Does Diet Really Matter When It Comes to Adult Acne-prone?” Harvard Health, Aug. 2020.
3. “Face Washing 101.” American Academy of Dermatology Association, 2023.
4. “Is Your Workout Causing Your Acne-prone?” American Academy of Dermatology Association, 2023.