Have you ever thought that your pores simply exist to become blocked with oil and dirt? Yeah, us too. So before you start totally hating on your pores, it’s important to note that they are actually vital for the health of your skin.
Pores produce natural oils to keep your skin moisturised. However, once there’s been a little too much oil produced, that’s when pores can become blocked and will develop a dark appearance.
It seems that no matter how well we cleanse our skin, most of the time those pesky little blocked pores just don’t budge, so try these tricks for extracting blackheads for good – no squeezing required!
#1: Clean deeply with a blackhead-targeting cleanser
Get your mitts on a cleanser that contains salicylic acid to penetrate deep into the pores and break down pore-blocking dirt and oil. When cleansing, be sure to concentrate on the areas where your blackheads are most visible, which is usually the t-zone AKA the nose, chin and forehead.
Better yet, reach deeper into the pores with the help of cleansing device. The FOREO LUNA 2 Oily Skin ($279 at Shaver Shop) uses T-sonic power to remove 99.5 per cent of dirt and oil from the skin.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel, $19.39 at Chemist Warehouse
#2: Up the exfoliation
Twice a week, follow your cleanse with a gentle chemical exfoliant. Massage the exfoliant into your skin, concentrating on the T-zone.
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser Glycolic Acid Pads, $44.95 at Adore Beauty
#3: Use a gentle pore strip
They may make you look silly for 15 minutes but pore strips are ridiculously easy to use. Once a week, cleanse and exfoliate your face, make sure your nose is wet, then peel the plastic strip off the pore strip and apply it to your nose. Fifteen minutes later, gently peel that baby off (along with a whole lot of gunk from your pores).
Bioré Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, $6.49 at Chemist Warehouse
Skin Republic Charcoal Nose Strips, $6.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Spascriptions Charcoal Cleansing Nose Strips, $12.95 at Hair And Beauty Solutions
#4: Treat yourself to a blackhead-blasting facial
Ever dreamed of a treatment that would suck the grime out of your pores? Well, guess what – it does exist! The HydraFacial uses a vacuum-based skin abrasion tip and various serums to remove dead skin cells and literally suck your pores clean of blockages to reveal refreshed, blackhead-free skin. Along with a tonne of other benefits for your skin.
Do you have visible blackheads on your skin? How do you treat your blackheads?
I aim to exfoliate upto 2-3 a week. I’ve used pore strips but don’t know how much really I’m removing.
You can usually see them after you have peeled them off.
I continue to use Biore pore strips. Still amazed at what was found on my face after using a pore strip!
Yep, surprising and really gross at the same time.
I don’t have blackheads on my nose but my nose pores are always blocked with oil.
You could probably try some of these tips too.
I already do. It’s just my skin I guess 🤷
I have heard clay masks are good for blocked pores.
Lots of great products.
I used to get lots of blackheads in my twenties
I have never been badly affected by blackheads, but did get a few along with the odd pimple
The strips are really good, tried them in the past.
Yes, used to, badly. Now nope. Gentle skincare with no clogging stuff, regular good clean.
That’s what I do too, seems to work well for me
Cleaning is so important no matter what type of skin you have
I heard those pore strips can be damaging to your skin
I’ve not tried the pore strips before. Do they work?
Yep, they work and when you peel them, they hurt. I found they are expensive so I rarely use them.
I have never had blackheads as my skin is too dry.
Sebum on my nose.
It’s been awhile since I’ve used pore strips
I don’t think you can ever get rid of them for good.
I love, love, LOVE pore strips…but I hear they aren’t good for your skin?.
I have to use them though because blackhead cleaners don’t work on my stupidly porous nose!
I liked using Biore pore strips in the past, may have to revisit them
They will grow back! I am not sure about the headline, getting rid of them, once and for all.
have tried all these except for the last one!
A very informative read and great products to try.
Never heard of a blackhead blasting facial. Keen to try 😁
I agree that a cleansing device makes a huge difference – I love my Skin Physics Dermasonic+.
Helpful hints and tips