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Know the enemy -

First of all, a blackhead is not dark in color because it’s dirt. It’s formed when a pore becomes blocked with oil and other tiny particles. 

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Oxidized oil and dirt -

When the material becomes exposed to the air, it becomes oxidized, which is why it appears black.

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Where they form -

They commonly form in the places where oil is produced and gathers a lot, like around the nose, forehead, chin, and even shoulders, back, and chest.

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Some methods work but create other problems -

The problem with a lot of methods is that even though they can effectively get rid of them and can be done from home, they scar, infect, and irritate.

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Salicylic acid -

Blackheads are formed from oil and dead skin cells clogging pores. Oil and dead skin cells are broken down by salicylic acid, which is found in many cleansers.

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Start with once a day -

Try starting by using salicylic acid wash just once a day, as well as washing your face a few times, too. If your skin gets used to it, you can bump it up to twice a day.

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Exfoliation -

Exfoliation may not be good for treating skin conditions like acne, but it’s brilliant for blackheads, especially if you use one with alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs).

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BHAs are more available (and just as good) -

Both of these work by removing the top layer of skin. Both of them are great, but BHAs are generally cheaper and more readily available.

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Exfoliating brushes -

Susan Massick, a dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, acknowledges that skin brushes are great for exfoliating, but advises to proceed with caution.

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Removing blackheads: the best and worst approaches -

Removing blackheads: the best and worst approaches

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Sensitive skin -

She recommends using a proper brush instead of a homemade brush or toothbrush with a cleanser. It’s to be avoided if you have sensitive skin, and it’s only to be done on occasion.

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Topical retinoid creams -

Topical retinoid creams are also proven to be effective when it comes to unclogging pores in the case of stubborn acne, so it’s effective for treating blackheads in the same way.

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Masks -

Clay masks are fantastic for drawing out oil from the clogged pores and many of them also contain sulfur, which helps to break down the dead skin cells. Charcoal does something similar, but is thought to produce even better results.

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Chemical peels - Chemical peels are commonly used as an anti-aging treatment for age spots and fine lines, but the peels often contain AHAs or BHAs and work by exfoliating the skin.

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What chemical peels do -

The smoother, younger, and fresher-looking skin is revealed after this process. Though it’s not primarily designed as a treatment for blackheads, it works anyway by removing dead skin and shrinking pores.

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Always choose non-comedogenic products -

Non-comedogenic makeup and face products are essential if you don’t want all of your other efforts to be wasted. The purpose of these products is that they’re made so they don’t block pores.

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Always remove makeup -

One of the more obvious ways of avoiding blackheads is not to sleep in your makeup. At the end of a long day, it may feel like climbing a mountain to take it all off, but there’s no other way.

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Foam cleansers -

Foam cleansers are great at the end of the day for people with oily skin. Makeup removers can also be used before washing your face.

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Be careful with physical removals -

Picking, scratching, and popping of any form is pretty much always off-limits. Still, it’s tempting. It can be done, but it should be approached very skillfully, carefully, and by someone who knows what they’re doing.

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Dryness and irritation -

Some of these methods can do more harm than good. For example, pore strips remove elements that are helpful to the skin like hair follicles and oils, which leaves the skin dry and irritated.

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Sebaceous glands -

When this irritation happens, your sebaceous glands go into survival mode and start producing more oil, which results in more blackheads.

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Professional is the key word -

Other extraction methods include using professional metal or plastic tools that unclog pores without scratching the skin.

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It requires skill and knowledge -

You should be trained to use these tools. If you're not, you can easily end up scratching, wounding, and even scarring the skin.

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Benzoyl peroxide won't help with blackheads -

A common mistake is to use benzoyl peroxide to treat blackheads, which works for treating acne by reducing swelling and riding bacteria. But blackheads aren’t caused by bacteria.

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Give the routine six to 12 weeks -

Most regimens for getting rid of blackheads (or at least getting rid of the majority of them or making them less visible) take around six to 12 weeks.

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Seek advice -

If there’s no improvement after this amount of time or you find at any point that the skin is becoming dramatically worse, then it’s usually best to check in with a dermatologist.

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Some other tips -

Some other tips are avoiding self-tanners and not overusing products. Just about everybody loves their skin to brown, but it’s best to avoid it if you're trying to de-emphasize blackheads on your nose.

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Don't overwhelm your skin -

Another common mistake is to overwhelm your skin with products. Using more of a product doesn’t mean that it’s going to improve the situation.

Sources: (Healthline)

See also: The best anti-aging tips from the most beautiful celebs

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