You’re doing everything you can to get rid of those pesky blackheads but they always seem to come back with a vengeance! You do all the steps for removing blackheads: steam, exfoliate, cleanse, and even avoid popping them with your fingers to no avail. Nothing you do seems to help.
The problem could be in your pillowcase. Every night, oil is absorbed by your pillow as you are sleeping. If you’re not changing your pillowcase regularly, you may be “reinfecting” your pores with oil. Try changing your pillowcase every day to avoid reintroducing oil to your skin. If this isn’t possible, make sure that you don’t sleep on the same pillow case for more than three nights in a row. This should help alleviate some of your blackhead woes.
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Have you ever used a “blackhead treatment” product that seemed to have made your condition even worse ? Ever been puzzled why that “oil-free” cleanser makes you break out even more? Well the culprit just may be in the ingredients. The term “oil-free” can often be misleading. Oil free commonly refers to the absence of mineral oil in a product. But there may be some synthetic derivatives of oil or other irritants that may be harmful to acne prone skin. Below are four ingredients you should look out for in your blackhead treatment products.
1. Lanolin
Lanolin is one of the most common ingredients in cosmetic products, used for skin moisturization. Lanolin, in its natural form, is the oil from sheep skin extracted from wool. Pure lanolin in this form may or may not be harmful to those with acne. Some argue that pure lanolin will not cause breakouts; others claim that the fatty acids of lanolin share similarities to the fatty acids of sebum, which can trigger acne in those who are predisposed to the condition.
Most cosmetics on the market do not use pure lanolin, but synthetic derivatives. Synthetic lanolins, such as acetylated and etoxylated lanolins, are definitely oily, comedogenic and should be avoided at all costs. These lanolins actually penetrate the pores better than natural lanolin. If you decide to use lanolin, only use pure natural lanolin oil, and test a small patch of skin to check for adverse effects.
2. SD Alcohol
SD Alcohol is a denatured alcohol used as a solvent. SD alcohol used as a main ingredient, can be irritating and overly drying the skin, causing overproduction of oil to compensate for dryness. Small amounts of SD Alcohol may not be a cause for concern, and is sometimes used in conjunction with salicylic acid.
3. Isopropyl Myristate
Isopropyl Myristate is often used as a thickening agent to help a smoother application of a product. This penetrating oil is known to clog pores, aggravate acne and can cause some allergic reactions to the skin. There are also other chemical compounds that act similar to isopropy myristate that should be avoided. The most commonly used are: isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl isothermal, putty sterate, isostearyl neopentonate, myristyl myristate, decyl oleate, octyl sterate, octyl palmitate and isocetyl stearate and PPG myristyl propionate. You will definitely want to put any product with these ingredients back on the shelf!
4. D & C Pigments
D & C pigments are dyes that give some products red coloring. Some of these dyes are derived from coal tars known to be comedogenic. Some of these dyes including D & C Red #9 and D & C Red #40, have been tested for comedogenicity; these were found to be the most problematic of the various red pigments.
***A note on mineral oil (Paraffinum Liquidum)...****
I myself have been guilty of advising anyone with acne or blackheads to stay away from this ingredient. Mineral oil has gotten a bad rep for clogging pores, exacerbating acne problems. However,a 2005 study published the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, states this is a myth - finding that cosmetic grade mineral oil is not comedogenic at all. Though some may experience sensitivity to mineral oil, it is not generally a cause of concern. |
It’s important to note that everyone is different, and your skin may or may not react adversely to the above ingredients. If you notice any of these ingredients in your products that seems to work well, keep using it. On the other hand, if you are using products with these ingredients that don’t seem to be working for you, stop using them immediately. When shopping for a blackhead removal treatment, opt for labeling that states it is “non-comodegenic” instead of “oil-free”.
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Yes, there are effective blackhead removal treatments, and you can begin the steps towards having clearer skin starting now! Truth is, any form of acne, especially blackheads, can be unsightly and the source of self-consciousness and embarrassment. Fortunately, you can empower yourself by understanding the cause of blackheads and deciding what removal method works best for you.
What are blackheads?
Blackheads, also known as comedones, are a direct cause of an acne problem. These unsightly blemishes form when a hair follicle is partially blocked by sebum and dead skin cells. Sebum, the body’s natural oil, is secreted in excess due to overactive sebaceous glands. The blackhead’s close relative, the whitehead, is also a comedone, but forms when the follicles are almost completely closed. The excessive production of sebum can be caused by a number of factors, including stress, hormonal changes, and reaction to the external environment.
Contrary to what some may believe, the black coloring of blackheads are not caused by dirt trapped in the pores or follicles. Incidentally, the color comes from melanin oxidation. When the follicles are open, melanin (skin pigmentation) gets exposed to air. When the melanin reacts to the oxygen in the air, the darkening of the comedone ensues.
Who can get blackheads?
Anyone can get blackheads, and most of us have had at least one blackhead in our lifetime. Most likely, anyone who has oily or combination skin is more vulnerable to getting blackheads. Also, improper removal of debris and makeup is also a recipe for blackhead disaster. Blackheads can affect both adults and teenagers, male and female. However, teenagers are generally more susceptible to blackheads due to the hormonal changes of the body, which may cause excessive oil production.
How can I get rid of blackheads?
The great news is that blackheads can be treated. The key to blackhead removal is keeping the skin clean and clear of oil and debris. You also will want to avoid squeezing blackheads with your fingernails as this can cause scarring and possibly further infection, leading to more severe form of acne known as cysts.
The purpose of this site is to explore the different options of prevention and removal of blackheads including topical treatments, medications, blackhead removal tools, diet, and natural remedies. Please keep in mind that every body is different, and there is no one size fits all approach to treating blackheads. The content of this site is for informational purposes only; it is not a substitution for medical treatment, and it is not to be used as a diagnosis or prescription for any disease or condition.
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