Best blackhead removal hacks

The ESK blog

Best blackhead removal hacks

19 August 2024

Dr Ginni Mansberg

Best Blackhead Removal Hacks 


The Blackhead Breakdown: What They Are and How to Banish Them

Time to tackle a common skin concern: blackheads. Let’s get the scoop on what they are, the best ways to kick them to the curb, and whether steaming them is a yay or nay. Let’s dive in!


What Are Blackheads Anyway?

Blackheads, AKA open comedones, are those pesky little dark spots that show up when your pores get clogged with dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria. Unlike whiteheads, which are closed, blackheads are open to the air. The gunk inside oxidizes, turning black (or sometimes yellowish). Voila, a blackhead is born!


Top Tips for Banishing Blackheads

Gentle Cleansing:

Why: Keeping your skin clean helps prevent blackheads from forming.

How: Use a gentle cleanser twice a day. A fascinating study looked at people with acne and got them to wash once, twice or four times a day for 6 weeks. Those who washed twice a day had major improvements in their acne, while for those who only washed once a day, their acne got worse!  

When picking a cleanser, pH matters. Guidelines suggest you look for a cleanser with the same pH as your skin or slightly acidic. That means you’ll need to avoid harsh soaps that tend to be very alkaline. Ideally your cleanser should also be fragrance-free and irritant-free with good rinsability so you don’t have to scrub your skin. 

Calming Cleanse

Calming Cleanse

Our Calming Cleanser is a non-foaming, coconut sugar-based formula with a gentle pH of 4.5-5, making it ideal for sensitive skin types, including those with eczema and rosacea.

This creamy cleanser effectively removes impurities while preserving the skin’s natural hydration and pH balance. Its non-soap formula minimises irritation and dryness, providing a soothing cleanse without disrupting the skin barrier.

Designed for sensitive skin, Calming Cleanser avoids harsh ingredients like astringents, camphor, and menthol, which can trigger irritation. Gentle yet thorough, it supports a healthy microbiome and barrier, leaving skin calm, soft, and ready for the next step in your routine.

Featuring;

  • A coconut sugar base with soothing botanical
  • A thorough yet gentle cleanse 
  • Suitable for daily use and even as a make-up remover

A creamy soap-free cleanser for skin that needs a gentle, silky wash.

  • Coconut based with soothing botanicals
  • Leaves skin clear & hydrated
  • May be used as a make-up remover

Exfoliate Regularly:

Why: Exfoliating helps break the bond between dead skin cells that can clog pores. This allows them to be shed, unclogging pores. 

How: Opt for chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid or an AHA like glycolic acid or lactic acid. If your skin is a little more sensitive, opt for a PHA like lactobionic acid or gluconolactone which are both more gentle on the skin

Gentle Glow PHA Serum

Gentle Glow PHA Serum

Introducing our breakthrough skincare solution, the Gentle Glow PHA Serum, designed specifically for those with sensitive, rosacea-prone or dry skin!

Harnessing the power of Polyhydroxy Acids (PHAs), which gently exfoliate and smooth the skin's surface, improve collagen formation, act as antioxidants and hydrate the skin. Unlike most exfoliation agents, PHAs are very gentle and are not only tolerated on sensitive skin, but may also reduce irritation from other ingredients in your skincare!

Embrace the journey to a luminous, glowing complexion with the Gentle Glow PHA Serum.

  • Smooths, hydrates and plumps the skin.
  • Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and the apparent size of pores.
  • Helps tackle acne and is appropriate for sensitive skin types including Eczema and Acne.

Retinoids (Vitamin A):

Why: Retinoids help increase cell turnover, keeping pores clear. They also help prevent new blackheads and other pimples, too

How: Go for a powerful yet gentle retinoid, like retinaldehyde (AKA retinal), the most effective and best tolerated form of vitamin A. Retinal is a better option than its less effective old school over-the-counter vitamin A cousins like retinol and retinyl palmitate. 

Ultimate A

Ultimate A

Our Ultimate A Night Cream harnesses the power of retinal- the most powerful yet gentle form of Vitamin A in skincare. Retinal is as effective as retinoic acid in fighting skin aging, but without the irritation. Ultimate A’s 0.06% retinal concentration, paired with niacinamide, delivers a potent anti-aging boost. This night cream promotes skin cell turnover, supports collagen and elastin production, and helps prevent UV damage. It also reduces pigmentation, improves hydration, and even soothes acne and rosacea. With Ultimate A, expect fewer fine lines, firmer, more elastic skin, and a beautifully refreshed complexion, all with a gentle, irritation-free formula ideal for nightly use.

Featuring

  • The ultimate skincare tool to rebuild collagen and improve skin elasticity

  • Powerful formulations but extreme gentleness. 

  • Suitability for daily use

  • Formulated to reduce hyperpigmentation

Retinal is not suitable for use in pregnancy.

Non-Comedogenic Skincare Products:

The term comedogenic means any given product that promotes clumping of dead skin cells on the skin

Why: Most dermatologists believe that non-comedogenic products won’t clog your pores, reducing the risk of blackheads.

How: Look for "non-comedogenic" on labels for moisturizers, sunscreens, and makeup.


Steaming Blackheads: Yay or Nay?

Steaming your face can feel luxurious, but is it really good for blackheads?

Pros: Lots of people believe that steam can help remove blackheads. If you whack in a few lovely essential oils to inhale it can certainly feel like a touch of luxe. OK, that’s all the benefits I can think of!!

Cons: It hasn’t been studied but steam can’t “open” pores. It has the potential to burn your skin and cause an injury! 

Pro Tip: If you love a good steam, do it sparingly—once a week max. Keep it short (5-10 minutes) and follow up with a gentle extraction (more on that next) and an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial moisturizer.


Safe Extraction: How to Do It Right

If you’re into extracting blackheads yourself, here’s how to do it safely:

Clean Your Skin: Start with a clean face to avoid introducing bacteria into your pores.

Exfoliation: An exfoliator can help remove some of the dead skin cells and other debris that is clogging the pore.

Use Clean Tools: Use a comedone extractor. Never use your nails!

Be Gentle: Apply gentle pressure around the blackhead to extract the blackhead’s contents. If it doesn’t come out easily, don’t force it. For stubborn blackheads, it’s best to see a professional.

Aftercare: After extraction, applying an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial skincare product can help.


Final Thoughts

Blackheads can be stubborn, but with the right routine, you can keep them at bay. Remember, consistency is key! Treat your skin with evidence based care, and if in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer service team for some personalised advice.

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