Blackheads are a pesky and stubborn form of acne that affects most people at some stage in their lives. As you’ll likely know from experience by now, getting rid of them is far from an easy feat. Together with patience and persistence, you’ll need to team up with the best blackhead-fighting agents out there.
Like pimples, they occur when pores get clogged with oil and dead skin cells. What separates the two is that, unlike pimples that sit near the skin’s surface, blackheads are embedded deeper within pores. Finally, when blackheads are exposed to oxygen in the air, they turn black.
As tempting as it may be to squeeze them, it’s better that you don’t pick or pop anything, as doing so will likely only further inflame existing blackheads or, worse, cause scarring from damage inflicted on the skin. Instead, consider these tried-and-tested recommendations—from cleansers to strips to serums—that make up our list of the 10 best blackhead removers.
Read more: How to Get Rid of Acne
Effaclar Medicated Gel Acne Cleanser
This cleanser is packed with blackhead-fighting ingredients, most notably lipohydroxy acid (a derivative of salicylic acid), which is renowned for its exfoliating and skin-revitalizing properties. In short, this gel works to eliminate oil, decongest pores and even gives your face a fresher look.
Read more: Best Acne Face Washes
Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum
Add a product with glycolic acid to your skincare routine—this ingredient found in plants is absorbed easily by the skin and acts as an excellent exfoliator that banishes blackheads. The wrinkle-reducing and soothing qualities of this L’Oréal Paris serum are a bonus.
Read more: Best Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Treating yourself to a face mask is always a good idea. And although charcoal and clay are nothing new to skincare, The Ordinary’s mask includes both of those plus salicylic acid, a combination that works extra hard to battle blackheads.
Read more: How to Get Rid of Blackheads
Gel Acne Treatment
This over-the-counter remedy features the active ingredient adapalene that targets acne development deep inside your pores, which means it can prevent a blackhead breakout entirely. Differin is also popular for its tolerability compared to other retinoid compounds.
Read more: Best Acne Spot Treatments
Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub
Oily skin contributes largely to the worsening of blackheads, so the folks at Neutrogena have made a face scrub to eradicate exactly that. The brand’s MicroClear Technology boasts salicylic acid, naturally-derived grapefruit extract and vitamin C for an all-out attack on acne.
Original Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
While you shouldn’t be picking at any acne, you can get the same strange satisfaction of ridding yourself of blackheads with expert-approved strips. Bioré’s patented C-bond tech ensures the strips stick to impurities and not your skin. Your face will thank you.
Read more: Best Acne Patches and Stickers
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
It’s easy to see why this skincare brand has developed a cult following. Its salicylic acid leave-on formulation softens and moisturizes as it exfoliates skin, all while fighting blackheads and shrinking pore size. The ultra-lightweight lotion leaves you looking Insta-ready in no time.
Silicone Face Scrubber
Harsh facial scrubbing can aggravate blackheads, which is where Luckyiren’s soft yet effective silicone scrubber comes in. Two different bristle types ensure cleansing is deep but gentle. The easy-to-use tool will last you a long time—and, of course, it comes at an affordable price.
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
All that exfoliation to clear blackheads requires that you keep your underlying skin cells hydrated and the protective skin barrier intact. Cerave’s daily moisturizer contains three essential ceramides—fats that keep skin cells together—on top of hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occurring compound that helps retain the skin’s moisture balance.
Read more: Best Moisturizers for Men
Dermapore Ultrasonic Pore Extractor & Serum Infuser
The risks associated with most at-home pore extractors and vacuums are simply not worth taking. But we’ve made an exception for this dermatologist-approved tool as it won’t cause skin damage. Why? Dermapore’s ultrasonic spatula softly removes dirt from pores with no chance of penetrating deeper skin tissue.
Bernd Fischer
Bernd Fischer is a freelance writer based in London covering style for Men’s Health.
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