Many people suffer from blackheads and blemished skin. Read here what you can do about the dark, unpleasant spots on your face.
Blackheads are often particularly stubborn and don’t want to go away. They will plague almost everyone at some point in their life. Around 80 percent of all 12 to 25-year-olds and adult men and women suffer from blackheads. We’ll tell you how to treat the nasty dots properly.
What Are Blackheads?
Blackheads are a mild form of acne. They occur mainly in teenagers when the skin’s sebum production increases and the sebum gland follicles – i.e., the pores – become clogged. First, a closed “white head” forms. If this grows and shows itself as a clear bump on the skin’s surface, we speak of a pimple. However, if it bursts beforehand and oxygen gets into the pore, the sebum-bacteria mixture it contains turns black. Blackheads occur primarily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), less often in the whole face. Even adults can suffer from skin blemishes with hormonal changes. Estrogen inhibits, and testosterone promotes the formation of blackheads. Therefore, blackheads can occur in women, especially in the second half of the cycle. Lifestyle also impacts our skin: alcohol, cigarettes, a diet that promotes blackheads, improper care, or stress can all cause blackheads.
Proper Cleaning
Cleanse your skin twice a day, morning and evening. You shouldn’t wash blemished skin more often. Otherwise, it will only produce more sebum to compensate for the irritation and dehydration. A mild wash gel that cleanses thoroughly but is not too aggressive is suitable for mixed and oily skin. Even gentler products such as cleansing milk or micellar water are often ideal for dry and sensitive skin. Toner for sensitive skin that is prone to blemishes should not contain alcohol. Mixed and oily skin can tolerate a little alcohol against the bacteria.
Don’t Forget To Take Care Of It!
It seems counterproductive, but also – and especially – oily skin needs moisture. Fat and water are removed from the skin during the cleansing process, and its protective coating is disrupted. If you do not provide your face with a light moisturizer afterward, it is not only more susceptible to bacteria and Co but also produces more sebum to fight against dryness. Give your skin what it needs right after you cleanse. Gels, fluids, or serum with hyaluronic acid are good for blemished skin.
Exfoliate Weekly
Using an exfoliant once to a maximum of twice a week prevents the keratinization of the upper layer of the skin, as it gently removes dead skin cells. This allows sebum to flow off unhindered, and the pores remain free. In addition, blood circulation and skin renewal are stimulated, making the complexion appear more refined and rosier. Always massage the peeling gently in a circular motion and never use it on open pimples.
Ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide or salicylic acid disinfect, promote the healing of minor inflammations and open the pores. As an alternative to mechanical peelings with noticeable peeling grains, you can also use chemical peelings dabbed on like facial toner.
Tip: Before you reach for chemicals from the tube, you can try gentler home remedies for impurities. Homemade peelings from kitchen ingredients are cheap, without additives, and can be mixed in seconds. Salt, sugar, oat flakes, or coffee grounds mixed with honey (has an antibacterial effect) or yogurt, for example, are great combinations! Since these are very coarse-grained, it is essential to exfoliate slowly and without pressure.
No-Go’s When It Comes To Care
- Please don’t overdo it with facial care, as it disrupts the skin’s natural protective layer. Too many different products can overwhelm sensitive skin and even trigger allergic acne – perioral dermatitis.
- Soap can cause blackheads because it attacks the acidic layer on the skin.
- Heavy day creams are also not recommended, as they usually make blemishes worse. Instead of creams, buy gels and fluids instead. “Non-comedogenic” can be a helpful indication on the packaging that the product is not clogging the pores.
- Avoid injuring the skin from scratching, squeezing, and excessively coarse peeling. Injured skin is susceptible to the implantation of pimple-causing bacteria.
- After exercising, we have a layer of sweat on our skin that can clog our pores. That is why acne is not uncommon in athletes. Take a shower after every workout and clean your face instead of letting hours pass with sweat on your skin.
The Main Rule
The temptation is great to express the annoying blackheads. Caution: The pressure can push bacteria already contained in the sebum to plug into deeper layers of the skin. This can lead to inflammation and scarring, which are much worse than tiny pimples. Better to have the blackheads pressed out by a beautician.
Facial steam baths that open the pores without any mechanical effects and allow the sebum to drain away are helpful in the long term.
The emergency solution instead of expressions: Apply the anti-inflammatory product with tea tree oil, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide selectively and cover the area with an oil-free concealer or powder.