How to Manage Blackheads

So now you know what blackheads are and that you shouldn’t try to remove them, but you should also learn how to manage them. The good news is that if you have blackheads, there are a few things you can do to help diminish their appearance. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this is the part you can do at home since blackheads are the result of mild acne.

The FDA states that some of the most common at-home topical skin care products that help reduce the appearance of blackheads are gels, lotions, creams and soaps formulated with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Just keep in mind that you shouldn’t expect anything to work overnight. According to the AAD, you could start to notice improvements in your skin’s appearance in four to six weeks, but it could take two to three months (or more) for your skin to clear. That’s why it’s important to continue to use an acne treatment once you notice improvements in your skin, as this can help reduce the chances of new blackheads forming.

How to Reduce Blackheads

As much as we wish there was a way to permanently remove blackheads, there just isn’t. Fortunately, a good skin care routine that prevents the buildup of dead skin, oil, dirt, and impurities is the best thing you can do to reduce blackheads. One of the things you shouldn’t do to reduce your chances of getting blackheads is over-wash your skin.

According to the AAD, washing your face too much can actually irritate your skin. The AAD recommends sticking to twice a day facial cleansing (once in the morning and once at night), as well as after a heavy sweat session. Beyond getting your cleansing frequency right, be consistent with your acne treatment. As we said before, if you’re using a treatment that starts clearing up the look of your blackheads, continue using it to help reduce your chances of new blackheads rearing their ugly heads.

Via: L'Oréal