What are blackheads?
A blackhead (scientifically referred to as open comedo) is a black or yellow swelling on the skin. This type of blemish is a form of acne vulgaris. Contrary to the customary belief that they are triggered by poor sanitation, blackheads are caused by surplus oils that have amassed within the sebaceous gland's duct. The stuff found in these swellings are mostly made up of keratin plus altered sebum-an oily discharge of the sebaceous gland-that blackens as it tarnishes. Blocked hair follicles, where pimples frequently appear, reflect light erratically to generate a blackhead's "dark" color. As such, the obstruction may not necessarily appear black when removed from the opening, however it might contain a more yellow-brown hue due to its melanin makeup.
So as to avoid the appearance of blackheads, it is important that you adhere to a strict skin care regimen. Regular skin cleansing is critical in preventing the appearance of these skin issues as well as whiteheads. For example, you can wash your face with oil and alcohol-free products at least twice a day.
In addition to hygiene measures, there are a number of commercial products you can use to treat blackheads:
Neutrogena
Neutrogena Astringent: This is a commercial product that can be used in eliminating blackheads. It retails for as little as $7.00 in most drug stores. Unlike other such commercial products, Neutrogena contains an astringent that infiltrates the skin to remove most blackheads and assist in preventing new ones from occurring.
Neutrogena Treatment Mask: Gets rid of blackheads and assists in preventing new ones from occurring on your skin, giving you clean and smooth skin. Its potent mixture of blackhead-combating medication plus glycolic acid works hand-in-hand to sterilize pores and aid in keeping them free from blemishes.
Scrubs
A range of scrubs can also be used to clean and remove blackheads from your skin. Most scrubs retail for around $5.00. Along with clearing blackheads and removing impurities, scrubs also prevent further formation of blackheads along and whiteheads.
Sea salt
Utilizing sea salt is helpful in a number of ways. When used together with scrubs, sea salt can remove excess facial oil and help in balancing oil production. Most sea salt products retail for as low as $8.00.
Cleansing your face
There are a plenty of face-cleansing products in the market that you can use to remove and prevent blackheads. One of the most common is Biore Warming Anti-Blackhead Cream Cleanser. It retails for about $6.00. Facial cleansers usually target pore-blocking dirt as well as oil. This product is also a good preventative measure against blackheads.
