If there were any such thing as a universal skin concern, it might be blackheads. While those with genetically oily skin might be more prone to them, they can appear on everyone and anyone — making them refreshingly democratic. 

That’s where the positives end, however, because they can feel impossible to deal with, leaving dark spots in their wake if you try to squeeze them…or otherwise sticking around for weeks and weeks (and weeks).

But there’s another, lesser-known way to deal with blackheads, too. Rather than attacking them with potentially irritating ingredients, it’s all about maintaining clear pores to keep the little bumps from forming in the first place. 

With that, here’s what you need to know about treating and preventing blackheads — while keeping your skin intact and healthy throughout the process.

What are blackheads?

Though they might look a little different than your average zit, blackheads are a type of acne. “Blackheads occur when the hair follicles, which are connected to a sebaceous gland, become clogged with a combination of dead skin cells and excess sebum and form what’s called a comedone,” says NakedPoppy research scientist Marisa Plescia. (A comedone, for the uninitiated, is a clogged pore.)

What is inside a blackhead?

Quick, let’s play a round of myth buster: “A misconception is that blackheads appear dark due to trapped dirt, but it’s really due to the oxidation of the oils from being open to the air,” says Plescia. “Whiteheads, or closed comedones, are the opposite and remain white as they are closed and not exposed.” But both are really just clogged pores.

How to get rid of a blackhead

While extracting clogged pores are generally a no-no, blackheads are basically the only type of acne that can be safely extracted — if done correctly, at least. “Make sure your skin is clean, your hands are clean, your fingers are protected with tissue or soft gauze, and you are not using your nails to superficially extract at the skin’s surface,” NakedPoppy skin specialist Tara Parenti says. 

Be careful not to overwork the skin, especially if you have a medium to deep skin tone (which is more prone to scarring); if you can’t get it out on the first few tries, call it quits. “When you overwork the skin, the body perceives this as a trauma or injury and can catalyze our skin’s melanogenesis process — resulting in persistent and stubborn post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” she explains. (Translation: Your skin’s pigment production goes out of whack.) So instead of a blackhead, you’ll just end up with a dark spot.

Plus, says Plescia, “there is also a risk that if not done properly the contents of that comedone — like oil and bacteria — may get pushed deeper into the pore, leading to more breakouts and inflammation.” Ideally, leave your extractions alone until your next visit with a licensed aesthetician or board-certified dermatologist. And, in the meantime, consider some preventative steps below.

Cleanse Well

For starters, “proper and thorough cleansing is the first defense at minimizing and preventing blackheads,” says Parenti. It seems obvious, but this single step can help remove excess sebum, grime, and even bacteria that could otherwise clog your pores — and even a gentle cleanser, such as NakedPoppy Nourish Cream Cleanser, can do the trick.

Exfoliate Regularly

Then, there are the (many) perks of a consistent exfoliation routine. When it comes to blackheads, chemical exfoliants, such as salicylic acid, are your best bet. “Salicylic acid is a keratolytic, oil-soluble, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial, and not pH-dependent, so it can be used in a variety of skin types in skin conditions,” says Parenti. “It helps dissolve dead skin cell buildup, minimize excess oil production, and kill bacteria.” (Not surprisingly, it’s a regular player for anyone dealing with adult acne.)

Salicylic acid can be naturally-derived, too. “It can be found in willow tree bark — and there are many clean beauty products on the market that contain willow bark extract,” says Plescia. One among them is Odacité Blue Aura Cleansing Water, which can work as your only cleanser or as a step in your double-cleansing routine. 

Other acids, such as lactic acid, can similarly be helpful. “They remove dead skin cells by reacting with the skin and disrupting the bonds holding skin cells together, essentially removing the dead skin cells,” says Plescia. You can find a blend of lactic and polyhydroxy acids in NakedPoppy Foaming Refresh Cleanser, where they’re buffered by soothing aloe.

Keep Skin Balanced

Swearing off your moisturizer (or blaming it for clogging pores) can do more harm than good, since the lack of moisture can actually trigger skin into producing more oil. “Although it may seem counterintuitive, adding facial oils into your routine helps to keep a balanced sebum production instead of an overproduction of oil on the skin, which could lead to potential blackheads,” says Plescia. NakedPoppy Revitalize Organic Facial Oil gets the job done with a blend of rosehip seed oil (which can promote skin cells turnover) and jojoba seed oil, which is known for its ability to regulate sebum production.

Ultimately, there’s no one thing that will keep blackheads from forming on your skin forever. But these steps — which are generally good for overall skin health, btw — are worth adding to both minimize their appearance and make it harder for them to stick around.

Get “shockingly accurate” clean beauty picks. Take your beauty assessment.

Shop the Story

NakedPoppy Nourish Cream Cleanser 😌

Odacité Blue Aura Cleansing Water 💦

NakedPoppy Foaming Refresh Cleanser 😶‍🌫️

NakedPoppy Revitalize Organic Facial Oil ✨