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Are blackheads bothering you?
After all, they make your skin look dirty and your pores too big.
You might be wondering how you can remove blackheads at home fast.
That’s why today I’m reviewing the best blackhead removal products.
They include comedone extractors, pore strips, masks, pore vacuums, scrubs, cleansers, and more.
Contents
If you don’t have time to read the complete article, here are our top picks.
Let’s begin with how to remove blackheads manually.
This blemish extractor is made of surgical-grade stainless steel. Please remember to disinfect it before and after you use it.
Once you’ve steamed open your pores, you can press this tool against your skin to extract the core.
(You can also hold a warm, wet towel against your skin instead of steaming.)
There are two ends to the metal rod: one is bigger than the other and can also get rid of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.
Most likely, it’ll take some practice to get the hang of using it. Happily, there are several videos online to instruct you.
Here’s a similar tool by a different manufacturer. It has a non-slip grip and stainless steel, hypoallergenic coating.
This kit contains seven tools to extract all sorts of pimples.
Each one is made of stainless steel.
There’s also a zippered storage case.
While you won’t find instructions in the package, a little research online will tell you more than you ever wanted to know.
My personal favorite way to get rid of blackheads is to use pore strips.
You can see the evidence of how well they work when you peel them away from your face. The adhesive side is littered with debris, oil, and little hairs and can also get rid or dead cells.
If you’ve never used pore strips before, let me explain how they work.
Bioré makes some of the best blackhead removal strips on the market.
This particular version is loaded with natural charcoal to soak up extra oil. This is perfect if you prefer physical exfoliation.
But each kind vegan, cruelty-free, and is tested by dermatologists for all skin types.
Here are pore strips cut to fit your nose and other portions of your face. Just select the kind that suits the area you want to cleanse.
There’s no charcoal in this one.
Zap your blackheads with natural remedies like tea tree oil and witch hazel. They kill the bacteria and shrink your pores.
Korean-made Piggy Nose Strips are popular overseas.
Instead of a one-off, these are made to be used in a three-step process.
The essence-infused strip dilates your pores. Next, the removal of the blackhead strip works a lot like Bioré’s products.
Finally, the toning strip closes and minimizes the pores to prevent new blackheads from forming.
The manufacturer recommends this product for all skin types and especially for oily skin.
A peek at the ingredients reveals a variety of natural extracts working behind the scenes. The label lists grapefruit, mushroom, wintergreen, jasmine, and tea leaf, among others.
Here’s another multi-part blackhead erasing kit.
The first step unblocks clogged pores with pure cotton, witch hazel, and sage. Interestingly, it has a strawberry milk fragrance.
The second step uses lime and lemon to boot out the blackheads.
And the third tightens up pores with aloe and green tea.
The whole process takes about 40 minutes.
What’s the benefit of choosing this brand over the others? The cost.
The pack includes 32 strips. If you use them twice a week, you’ll have enough for 4 months and can also get rid of dead skin cells.
Here’s a new twist on the classic pore strip. Neutrogena’s product dissolves in water to become a face scrub.
Instead of peeling it off, you’ll wet it, then massage it into your skin before you rinse.
The active ingredient is salicylic acid one of the components of alpha-hydroxy acids and also includes beta hydroxy acids as well. It’s excellent for opening up pores as it dissolves oil and can also get rid of dead skin cells.
Clean & Clear’s nose strips are also saturated with salicylic acid. They deep-clean the pores but shouldn’t irritate sensitive skin.
Once they are wet, they dissolve into a scrub that you can rinse off. The active ingredients include salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and menthol.
One other thing you might like is the cooling sensation they create.
Here’s the device you’ve been waiting for – it’s a pore vacuum.
It’s handheld, but similar to the ones that dermatologists and cosmetologists might use on you.
Thankfully, it’s a little less powerful, which is suitable for inexperienced users.
The rechargeable vacuum has five levels of increasing suction. It comes with 4 interchangeable heads
The smallest one is the best for sensitive areas. Meanwhile, the oval-shaped head works well for removing blackheads on noses.
Here’s another pore vacuum that’s FDA-certified for safety. It’s recommended that you use it for no more than fifteen minutes at a time, three times per week.
In fact, don’t spend more than three seconds on any single spot. Keep it moving to avoid giving yourself a hickey.
It’s rechargeable and comes with five vacuum heads. Each head, or tip, addresses specific problems. See the instructions in the box for an explanation.
This manufacturer includes a helpful tip. They suggest icing your face after you finish a treatment to avoid redness and swelling.
This model has an LCD that reveals the battery status and the power setting.
It’s rechargeable and will run for up to 150 minutes continuously.
Generally speaking, portable pore cleaners aren’t costly. But if you’d like to have one with a warranty, check out this deal.
The manufacturer offers a 30-day full refund and a 24-month warranty. They also provide technical support 365 days a year.
Finally, they rate the noise level at under 25 dB, which is whisper quiet.
Instead of squeezing, tearing, and sucking out your blackheads, try something gentle.
It takes longer, and it’s not as satisfying.
But using gels, scrubs, cleansers, and medicated pads is kinder to your skin and is perfect if you prefer chemical exfoliation.
Proactiv are the experts on acne. Their Blackhead Dissolving Gel has 0.5% salicylic acid in it. It’s mild enough that it shouldn’t irritate anyone’s skin.
But it’s powerful enough that it melts away blackheads and prevents blemishes.
Other ingredients include green tea, aloe, and shea butter and can also get rid of blackheads and dead skin cells.
Regular use should lead to a smooth, more radiant complexion.
This is a blackhead remover that looks like an overgrown Chapstick.
It has a soft brush at the tip that you use to massage the skin affected by blackheads.
The liquid inside contains eleven natural extracts that clear out pores. It includes witch hazel, sage, peppermint, grapefruit, and more.
Oxy cleansing pads feature 2% salicylic acid, the gold standard for maintaining a clear complexion (3).
When you use salicylic acid regularly, you’ll notice it’s easier to prevent acne and blackheads. It exfoliates the dead skin and breaks up the oil blocking pores.
Also note that you can use these pads on your face, chest, or back.
Neutrogena’s medicated pads use salicylic acid with Micro-clear Technology. It’s an effective way to deliver the active ingredient to where it’s most needed.
Use these pads to remove makeup, prevent breakouts, blast away blackheads, and shrink zits. One swipe at night means you’ll have less redness and swelling in the morning.
If you have sensitive skin and feel reluctant to try chemical peels, check out Neutralyze’s pads.
They combine the power of salicylic acid and mandelic acid. Although both exfoliate dead skin, mandelic acid hydrates while it works. It also has anti-aging benefits.
Regular use clears up everything from blackheads to cystic acne, acne scars, rosacea, and psoriasis.
The manufacturer offers a 100% money-back guarantee.
Glycolic acid plus salicylic acid equals clear skin.
The Extreme Night Pads don’t just unclog pores. They also plump the skin to make it younger-looking and softer.
Another side benefit is more even skin tone.
Keep your skin clear, and your pores small by using the right cleanser.
After you’ve done all the work to clear away your blackheads, you still need to be vigilant. They always come back if you slack off.
The Effaclar system has won awards for giving visible results after only one use. In ten days, it can clear up 60% of acne.
Like other products from this company, these are free of artificial fragrances and parabens.
The medicated gel cleanser contains 2% salicylic acid plus a lipo hydroxy acid to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin. This is what you’ll need most for blackheads.
But the kit also includes a toner and acne cream for spot treatment.
Maintain healthy skin with this mild cleanser that has 0.5% salicylic acid. There are no fragrances or parabens.
It’s refreshing, and it washes away makeup, too.
Here is a leave-on exfoliator with 2% salicylic acid. Don’t use this if you have sensitive skin, but definitely try it if you tend to be oily.
Scrubs aren’t as effective on blackheads as other solutions. But they do smooth texture and have other benefits.
This scrub promises to minimize fine lines, shrink pores, fade discoloration, and eliminate blackheads. Try it for up to sixty days and claim the full refund if you’re not satisfied.
If you use a Clarisonic motorized brush, here’s the cleanser that gets rid of blackheads.
It also reduces shine as it cuts surface oil by almost half.
The foaming formula is based on salicylic acid and is perfect to treat blackheads.
Proactiv’s Pore Cleansing Brush has a charcoal-infused bristle head. Surprisingly, the bristles are quite soft.
There are two speeds to remove impurities and exfoliate. After all, it’s more effective to scrub like this than to wash with just your hands.
Keep it moving, and don’t focus on one area for more than two minutes at a time.
It’s water-resistant so that you can take it in the shower. Plus, it runs on replaceable batteries.
Soak up the oil and impurities that are clogging your pores. Use a blackhead erasing mask and other tricks to detoxify your skin.
The Silver Powder absorbs excess oil and purifies the skin with kaolin clay, zinc oxide, and calcium carbonate.
Use it regularly to draw out blackheads and shrink oversized pores and are perfect to treat blackheads and to keep blackheads at bay.
This detox mask is best for oily skin.
The creamy texture tingles the skin to tease out impurities and is the best way to keep blackheads at bay.
You only need to wear it for five minutes to cleanse and unclog pores and mattify your face. This is perfect if you prefer physical exfoliation.
You’ll love this drugstore blackhead erasing clay mask. Although there are different versions of this clay mask, I selected the one with charcoal and three clays.
This clay mask or face mask ideal for lifting out pollution, oil, dirt, and skin from clogged pores, says Dr. Frieling.
After you rinse it, your skin feels smooth and content and is also suitable for acne-prone skin. We feel this is one of the finest skin-care products and is perfect to remove stubborn blackheads.
Peel-off masks are as much fun as pore strips.
Spread this on your skin, let it dry, then pull it off.
It’s white-colored and dries to a somewhat soft and flexible texture.
Luckily for those with allergies, it’s based on polyvinyl alcohol and acrylic, not latex, and also reduces oil production.
The active exfoliating ingredients include AHA’s or alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid and also includes beta hydroxy acids which are also suitable for acne-prone skin and is perfect to remove stubborn blackheads at the same time minimize the appearance of pores.
This blackhead mask is based on latex. That’s fine as long as you’re not allergic to it.
It soaks up impurities with kaolin and also reduces oil production.
It also includes hyaluronic acid for hydration.
We feel this is one of the finest skin-care products.
Apply this mask in a thin layer across your T-zone after you open up the pores with a hot towel.
It contains activated charcoal, witch hazel, and aloe. Besides, it’s free of latex and is perfect to remove stubborn blackheads.
Simply put, blackheads are clogged hair follicles.
You can get them almost anywhere on your body.
You’re most likely to see them on your face, back, and chest.
They occur when oil and dead skin blocks the opening of the follicle from the surface of the skin. Then the sebum, or oil, oxidizes.
The oxidation makes the pores look black.
But the pores aren’t actually dirty. It’s the same thing that happens when a banana turns brown.
Unfortunately, it’s unsightly enough that the urge to remove them is powerful.
You may have heard that you should leave blackheads alone, but that’s not true.
The truth is that you shouldn’t squeeze them.
You and I both know that it’s rather satisfying to see that little string of oil worm up out of the skin.
The problem is that your fingers are causing damage to other pores and possibly worsening the problem.
If you must extract an individual blackhead, use a comedone removal tool.
We’ll talk about those in a moment.
Otherwise, keep reading to find out other safe and effective ways to clear up your skin.
Besides manual removal with a round loop extractor, there are several ways you can remove blackheads at home.
Pore strips probably come to mind.
Use the strips one to two times per week to keep your skin clear. Combine them with a salicylic acid face wash for better results.
Next, there are pore vacuums, masks, gels, cleansing pads, and exfoliators to help you cleanse the skin and prevent new blackheads from forming.
But the best way to make any removal of blackheads more effectively is to steam your skin first.
Cleanse and exfoliate, then lean over a steaming bowl of hot water for 5 minutes.
Don’t burn yourself – you only need enough heat and water vapor to relax the pores.
Immediately use the blackhead erasing method of your choice.
Cleanse again to remove bacteria then moisturize.
As you can imagine, this process can be a little harsh. It’s essential to hydrate.
If you don’t moisturize, your skin will likely produce excess oil and worsen the problem.
On the downside, blackheads keep coming back if you don’t maintain your skin. They are a lifelong problem.
But on the bright side, you have lots of tools to remove them and prevent them.
Make it easy on yourself by developing a routine.
Purchase products that you’re likely to use regularly.
Once you clear away the blackheads, it’s not hard to keep your pores clear.
Sources:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/blackheads by Holly McGurgan,
2. https://www.leaf.tv/4477621/removing-blackheads-with-wax/
3. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/understanding-acne-treatment
4. https://thedermreview.com/mandelic-acid-peel/
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