While I have been blessed with semi-clear skin (thanks Mom and Dad), wearing makeup on a daily basis has given me quite a few nasty blackheads that I constantly struggle to get rid of. So after watching the Live Chat Q&A with ELLE beauty editor Emily Dougherty, I decided to take her advice and try both chemical and physical exfoliation and I think I finally found my perfect blackhead killer combo!
*Step 1. Use a cleanser with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid has been widely known to exfoliate and unclog pores so start using a cleanser with a 1-2% concentration to clean and exfoliate.
* Step 2. Exfoliate physically. The fastest way to smooth away dead skin is through physical exfoliation. Look for products that contain jojoba beads, salt, sugar, synthetic micro-beads etc. and remember to make sure the particles are fine so they do not irritate your skin.
* Step 3. Apply a thin layer of Benzoyl Peroxide. Thanks to its ability to rid the follicle of excess dead skin cells and introduce oxygen into the pore, Benzoyl Peroxide has been commonly used in acne treatment products like Proactiv and Clearasil to kill acne-causing bacteria. Stick with a 2.5% concentration for everyday use.
Below is the products I use for my blackhead killer combo:
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H20 Plus Sea Pure Gentle Refining Polish
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Paula’s Choice Clear 3-Step Acne Fighting Treatment
I have been using this combo everyday for a week now and I swear at least 90% of my blackheads have completely vanished! So try it out and let me know if it works for you too. Would love to hear feedback!
* One word of caution, over-exfoliation can dry out the skin. If you experience flakes or peeling, remember to moisturize with an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer. You can also ease your way in slowly, i.e. using the combo once every 2-3 days before doing it every day. And as always, skincare regimen is a personal thing. What works on me may or may not work on everyone else so please use with discretion.
12 Comments
nice combo.guess i’m going to have my own blackhead killer combo after this.
first item is easy to find
second is so so
third one never heard of :/
gonna try right away after I’m done with my current regimen 🙂
Hi Phylis, I saw in another post regarding your skincare regimen that you use the clarisonic Mia. Do u think that helps with your blackheads? And how often do you use it? I’m thinking about purchasing it.
Shanna,
The Clarisonic Mia does help with blackheads but I don’t use it every day. Even the sensitive brush head is still a teeny bit too harsh for my skin so I only use it 1-2 times a week max.
I found the BodyShop “Blue Corn 3 in 1 Deep Cleansing Scrub Mask” actually help with my blackhead.. Before apply mask, I always scrub the skin to get rid of dead skin cells. After that, follow with steaming ur face to open the pores for about 1-2 min..Make sure it’s not super duper hot water otherwise it’ll damage the skin. I like to put drops of tea tree oil to kill the bacteria. Usually i just do in front of sink, bring my face closer to the hot water and cover my back head with towel to make sure it steam to my face.
of course it does not disappear after 1 time use, but if you do it dilligently you’ll see less and lesser…
It’s a bit dry if you have combination skin but apply hydration mask/cold water afterwards will help and makes the pores tighten too…
Nice! It’s usually a pain and expensive to have to go to a dermatologist to get the blackheads out. Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide are good stuff to use to prevent breakouts too. Salicylic Acid keeps the pores unclogged and Benzoyl Peroxide gets oxygen into your skin. P.Acne bacterias cannot live in the presence of oxygen.
Neutrogena has a product that has both Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide. You might want to check it out too. It’s called Neutrogena Clear Pore Oil-Eliminating Astringent
Great tips! Some of these would be too harsh for my sensitive skin…
I stick with regular facials and use ‘The Fab Pore’ by Soap & Glory in between. It keeps my pores nice and clean without irritating my skin!
Thanks everyone for the great tips! Keep them coming =)
No thank you Phyllis 🙂
I’m grateful you share skincare with us
so that we don’t have to go to the “wrong journey”
i get rid of mine with Ponds Cold Cream, followed by applying the toner Hechima Cologne (from Japan). it works.
Nice how does that work? Tell us more about the Hechima Cologne toner!
Shielo’s Complexion Scrub is a great way to get rid of blackheads. From what I understand blackheads form when dirt gets into your pores and get stuck. I’ve seen blackhead strips as well as methods of popping blackheads out but I’ve also read that these are only effective in the short term and can do some long-term damage especially the ones where you pop them out. It is a constant maintenance and you will never fully get rid of blackheads but it is nice to know that there are products like Shielo’s Complexion Scrub with a nice scent.
All I do in my routine is this very simple: I just simply wash my face and then apply a little bit of the shielo complexion scrub on my fingers and gently applied to my face in a circular pattern. I let it sit a little bit while brushing my teeth and then I wash it out with warm water and pat dry with a cloth. It has worked well for me and I can recommend it.