How to Prevent and Remove Blackheads

Written by: Desiree Stordahl

Medically Reviewed by: Debra Jaliman MD Board-Certified Dermatologist

Have you been battling blackheads? You’re not alone. These pesky, tiny black dots often stake their claim on the nose, forehead, and chin. We’ll break down how to get rid of them and make sure they don't come back, starting with addressing their root cause.

What are blackheads?

Blackheads are a type of clogged pore that forms when dead skin cells combine with excess sebum and other debris in the pore lining. Once this mixture reaches the opening of the pore at the skin’s surface, it oxidizes, turning a blackish color, hence the name (1). Blackheads tend to arise in areas that are prone to producing more oil, such as your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), particularly around the nose area. They can occur on their own or sometimes alongside whiteheads. Either way, they’re rather unwanted.

What is the difference between blackheads and whiteheads?

Blackheads are known as “open comedones” whereas whiteheads are referred to as “closed comedones". Comedones are also referred to as clogged pores or small plugs (2, 3). Whiteheads are covered by a thin layer of skin, so the trapped substances within don’t oxidize and turn black like blackheads do. Instead, they accumulate as a white bump on skin.

What causes blackheads?

Blackheads form deep in the lining of the pore, similar to how weeds root in the ground before surfacing. Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t caused by “dirty” skin (4). Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of exactly what causes stubborn blackheads:

• When too much oil is produced inside the pore, it has difficulty flowing freely to the surface.
• As the flow of oil gets backed up, it mixes with the built-up dead skin that isn’t shedding (exfoliating) as efficiently as it should.
• Once this occurs and the oil and dead skin at the top of the clogged pore are exposed to air, they oxidize, forming a blackhead (5).

Do blackheads enlarge pores?

Blackheads don’t enlarge pores (thank goodness!). However, they often accompany enlarged pores because they both have the same root cause. Enlarged pores are also the result of the pore producing too much oil, which is why they go together with blackheads so often – but they are not the cause!

Do blackheads go away on their own?

In some cases, the frequency of blackheads can diminish as a person ages. With age, oil production diminishes, though there are some people who continue to get blackheads throughout their lives. In both cases, treating blackheads takes consistency and dedication and the best course of action is to be proactive in getting rid of them instead of simply hoping for them to go away.

How do you get rid of blackheads?

To get rid of blackheads, it’s crucial that you incorporate a blackhead treatment into your skin care routine that can do all of the following:

• Reestablish, as best as possible, a normal flow of oil out of the pore lining.
• Minimize and absorb excess oil.
• Exfoliate built-up dead skin that isn’t shedding normally (2).

Using a well-formulated, non-abrasive, liquid exfoliant for blackheads (with salicylic acid, also called BHA) is key in this regard. It helps shed built up dead skin that would normally mix with oil in the pore and risk turning into a blackhead. This makes it effective for treating the blackheads you see now as well as preventing future ones from forming.

An exfoliant should accompany your normal skin care routine, one that begins with a gentle, water-soluble cleanser. Some may find it helpful to double cleanse to ensure makeup and other facial debris are completely removed. Just don’t go overboard—harsh cleansing (i.e., face washes that leave skin feeling stripped dry) can actually make matters worse.

How do you get rid of blackheads on the nose?

To get rid of extra stubborn blackheads on the nose, you may need to bring out the big guns and go for a stronger dose of BHA that you can use as a blackhead spot treatment two to three times per week. You can also experiment with a higher strength AHA + BHA peel one day a week for advanced exfoliation.

How to get blackheads out of ears

Blackheads don’t just appear on your nose or forehead – for some people, blackheads also show up inside their ears. For getting rid of blackheads in this tricky spot, the rules are the same; follow a gentle skin care routine and exfoliate with a leave-on BHA liquid. Because this is a more delicate area, it’s advisable to keep it clean with a soft washcloth and apply a BHA liquid with a cotton pad or swab (though be careful to keep the swab out of the eardrum area itself to avoid any potential damage).

Tips to prevent blackheads

Once the blackheads are gone, continue the steps mentioned above to keep the problem at bay. Additional preventative measures to consider:

• Avoid overly emollient or greasy moisturizers in blackhead-prone areas. Try to use only gel, light fluid lotion, or liquid skin care products because most of the ingredients that give lotions and creams their thick consistency can clog pores.
• Take it a step further by absorbing excess oil. Those with oily skin and congested pores can benefit from an oil-reducing blackhead product or a non-irritating, absorbent blackhead removal mask. These will improve your odds against blackheads.

What to avoid when treating blackheads

Blackheads often get worse because of using the wrong skin care products, so make sure your skin care routine is free of the following:

• Skin-aggravating ingredients such as alcohol, peppermint, menthol, lemon, lime, eucalyptus—all of which trigger more oil production and make matters worse!
• Blackhead-removing strips. Pore strips remove only the very surface part of a blackhead, which has no effect on the pore quickly getting clogged again so you'll see it back way too fast.
• Bar soap. The ingredients that keep bar cleansers in their solid form can clog your pore.