Best Ways to Help Prevent and Treat Blackheads
Acne happens from changes in hormone levels and clogged pores. Whiteheads are pores clogged with dead skin cells and oil. However, once they're exposed to the air, they can turn black and become a blackhead. To help prevent blackheads, you need a multi-pronged approach: cleanse, exfoliate, mask and moisturize.
Key Ingredients
The best ingredients to treat and help prevent acne are sulfur, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, willow bark, witch hazel and resorcinol. These ingredients are effective in treating acne as they can aid in preventing excessive oil production. Salicylic acid helps to prevent pores from becoming clogged by encouraging the shedding of dead skin cells. Willow bark is a commonly used natural salicylic acid. Witch hazel is a natural astringent.
Never Squeeze
Never try to squeeze or extract blackheads on your own. You can damage your skin. You can also cause the acne to spread further, so that you’re dealing with a breakout for a longer period of time. No one wants that! Instead, you need to rely on cleansers, exfoliants, and masks to remove the blackheads.
Cleanse
Keep your pores cleaned out by using our Ain't Misbehavin' Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser. When your pores are clean, they're less likely to develop blackheads. They're also less visible on the skin. You can further minimize your pores by using Picture Porefect Pore Minimizer.
Exfoliate
To make it less likely for dead skin cells and oil to get clogged in your pores, you need to exfoliate. But don't exfoliate too exuberantly! You need to do it gently or else you risk causing another breakout. Our DERMAdoctor Physical Chemistry Facial Microdermabrasion & Multiacid Chemical Peel is gentle on your skin but very effective at removing any buildup. Make sure you exfoliate two to three times a week to keep your pores clean.
Mask
If you're currently experiencing a breakout and you need to treat it, you definitely want to use a sulfur mask, like our Ain't Misbehavin' Intensive 10% Sulfur Acne Mask & Emergency Spot Treatment. This mask will help to unclog pores, soothe and refresh the skin, dry up acne and aid the skin in healing. It can be used as a spot treatment too.
Moisturize
It's very important to keep your skin moisturized and protected from UVA / UVB rays. Our Calm Cool & Corrected Tranquility Cream will help to calm and moisturize the skin.
By keeping an eye out for key ingredients and using the right products, you can minimize the duration of an acne outbreak. Developing a beauty regimen that includes regular exfoliation will help to prevent blackheads. This will leave you with healthier, clearer and more beautiful skin.
By Jen Mathews
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer
This content is sponsored by DERMAdoctor. The author receives compensation for its creation. All content is the legal copyright of DERMAdoctor, Inc, and it may not be used, reprinted, or published without written consent. The information provided is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, legal or other professional advice.