Let's wash away troubles: how do anti-blackhead remedies work?

Probably every second woman and every first man had to deal with them. As ancient as humanity itself, blackheads are nothing more than open comedones. When the mouths of skin follicles are expanded, they are easily clogged with a mixture of sebum and dead epidermal cells. This cocktail inevitably oxidizes and – hello, black dot!

The specificity of these skin imperfections is such that the thicker the sebum, the worse the exfoliation of the epidermis, the greater the chance of getting a scattering of comedones. More often - on the forehead, nose, chin and along the hairline.

There are usually several reasons.

• Hormones. Exceeding the norm of certain hormones leads to thickening of sebum and thickening of the epidermis. As a result, inflammation and comedones appear on the skin of the face - both open and closed. When the main cause of clogged pores is hormones, even the best remedy for blackheads will not save you, but it will keep the situation under control.
• Nutrition. Recent scientific studies have proven that dark chocolate is not as dangerous to the skin as baked goods and sugar. Foods with a high glycemic index are what scientists call them. Fruits, vegetables and grains, on the contrary, reduce the risk of acne.
• Incorrect care. Insufficient cleansing, lack of makeup remover, aggressive washing gels, comedogenic creams - all this is fraught with clogged pores, especially for oily skin.
• Stress. Problems at work, school or at home affect the health of facial skin only indirectly. Stressful situations disrupt the balanced distribution of vitamins and minerals throughout the body's systems, and the skin and hair are supplied according to a residual principle. In addition, when our nerves give out, we are more likely to ignore normal hygiene, leading to acne on our skin.
• Heredity. Sometimes the width of pores and viscosity of sebum are determined by genes. In this case, it will not be possible to get rid of blackheads forever. The good news is that fighting them is not useless. Regular care allows you to keep your skin beautiful and clean.

Effective methods to get rid of blackheads

Not all of these methods of cleansing the skin and removing blackheads are universal, but you definitely need to know about them.

• Cosmetics Dermatologists advise choosing a range of care from one brand and using it daily. The least that cosmetics can do against blackheads is to noticeably lighten them and keep the pores clean after a visit to a cosmetologist.
• Pharmacy preparations Complexes of biologically active substances for problem skin should contain zinc, vitamin A, B vitamins, silicon and magnesium, which reduce the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands and dilute it. But be prepared to disciplinedly monitor your dietary supplement intake with a doctor.
• Salon procedures From mechanical cleaning to deep chemical peeling - in the salon you can get any service for cleaning and tightening pores with a prolonged effect. Entrust your face only to qualified dermatologists and be prepared for the fact that the procedures will not work on you - this is possible if the problem is deep inside, and not in the skin layers.
• Homemade recipes The rating of homemade remedies for blackheads puts mixtures with parsley, yeast, celandine, salt, soda and other kitchen “residents” in first place. Doctors are pessimistic: these products are likely to cause allergies, and gruel with salt and soda will lead to dehydration, which is much more unpleasant than clogged pores.
• Diet and maintaining hydration Proper nutrition and one and a half liters of water per day are suitable for both men and women. In the long term, an active and healthy approach to life normalizes metabolism and makes the skin clearer. In addition, a diet rich in zinc, alpha-lipoic acid and retinol (and these are the same fruits and vegetables, herbs, beef, dairy products) balances the composition and viscosity of sebum.

Recommendations for removing comedones

There are a lot of options that tell you how to remove blackheads on the nose correctly. In this case, it is worth considering a few tips to promote high-quality and effective impact:

1. Choose products that suit your skin type.
2. Do not use cleansers if the skin on your nose is damaged or inflamed.
3. It is necessary to remove makeup efficiently, especially powder and foundation.
4. Every evening, you can additionally apply a solution of ascorbic acid to the skin.
5. Kefir can be an analogue of ascorbic acid.
6. In summer, do not use foundation and powder. As a result of sweating, they enter the pores, inflaming them.

Using the recommendations, you can ensure not only good results, but also not create skin problems in the future.

Features of cosmetics against blackheads

Did you know that remedies for blackheads, for example, on the nose, have the same mechanism of action as lotions for comedones on the back? Modern cosmetics begin with active ingredients - they are well studied and successfully used all over the world.

Compound

Anti-comedogenic substances in cosmetics serve several purposes. They need to dissolve the plug in the skin pores, draw it to the surface, and make the skin smooth and matte. An effective remedy for blackheads must contain at least a couple of components from this list.

• — Salicylic acid – at a concentration of 2% it dissolves the contents of pores and has a delicate antibacterial effect on the skin.
• - Glycolic acid - acts similarly, but only on the surface of the skin.
• — Zinc – fights oiliness, mattifies well, prevents inflammation.
• — Plant extracts – some of them mattify, while others visually reduce pores and soothe the skin.
• - Clay and charcoal - they are loved for their absorbent talents, their ability to draw out impurities from pores, reduce and lighten blackheads.
• — Mild abrasive additives – exfoliate the epidermis and polish the skin, restoring its smoothness and softness.

Properties

Cosmetic ranges, whose formulas are based on active ingredients, are produced in entire “families” - so one set of cosmetics for problem skin will replace all your usual care. In these ranges, each product has its own specificity, but together they go towards the same goal.

• Moisturizers. Oily and at the same time dehydrated skin – does this happen? Even so, if there is no moisturizing product without comedogenic substances in your care.
• Cleansing. They are the main ones here: they work in the pores, renew the epidermis, remove impurities and excess sebum, gradually reducing the number of clogged pores.
• Exfoliating. Created for regular skin renewal. Those with blackheads, as a rule, have a slower exfoliation of dead cells - this cannot be done without outside help.
• Toning. By enhancing the effect of cleansers, they soothe the skin and even prevent the appearance of oily shine throughout the day.

Steps to care for skin with large pores

On the one hand, such a defect spoils the appearance of the skin - there is no smoothness, there is bumpiness, a constant oily sheen. In addition, wide pores quickly become clogged with particles of dust and dirt, which leads to inflammatory processes and provokes the formation of acne and comedones. But, on the other hand, oily, thick skin ages more slowly than dry skin.

At the same time, the porous epidermis requires special care. Stages of morning procedures:

1. Washing with foam or thermal water based on salicylic acid, probiotics, but without alcohol or aggressive chemicals.
2. Toning with a mattifying effect. The toner will help dry the skin and normalize the pH level.
3. Application of sebum regulator serum. The product should contain oak bark extract, betulin, grapefruit and so on. Serum for day care and marked “For oily skin”.
4. Apply a treatment to the area around the eyes.
5. Day moisturizer with a light texture based on glycolic or hyaluronic acid.

It is also necessary to take care of protection from ultraviolet radiation. In winter, before going outside, treat your skin with SPF 30, in summer - SPF 50.

Evening care steps:

1. Makeup remover with micellar water or foam for thorough cleansing. A composition based on hydrophilic oil is also suitable.
2. Toning. The toner can be applied using a cotton pad and should not be rinsed off. A composition based on avocado oil, hyaluronic acid, squalene, and seaweed is suitable.
3. Treatment of the periorbital area - along the protruding parts, without affecting the skin of the lower and upper eyelids.
4. Apply nourishing night cream to slightly damp skin. A restorative concentrate with a deep moisturizing effect is suitable.

It is advisable that all skincare products be of the same brand, this way the maximum effect is achieved.

Types of cosmetics for blackheads

Now let’s take a closer look at what cosmetic products help against blackheads – and how to incorporate them into your care.

Creams

A special cream for acne and blackheads can be drying, so it is permissible to alternate it with other moisturizing products: for example, in the morning - neutral care, and in the evening - cream with salicylic acid.

Scrubs

The general consensus is that products with scrubbing particles should be used most often - every other day, and ideally twice a week after an acid peel (tonic) or instead of a regular cleansing gel.

Tonics

Lotions and tonics are indispensable in the fight for a beautiful face: they gently exfoliate, mattify and enhance the effect of the care applied after them. Focus on the behavior of your skin - sometimes it is enough to wipe it with toner only in the morning.

Oils

Even oily skin needs ceramides, just in smaller quantities. Look for non-comedogenic oils and apply oil-based products twice a week only to moisturized skin.

Gels

If the gel cleanser for blackheads contains acids, that’s just great! But alcohol at the very beginning of the list of ingredients is undesirable, because the mission of the gel is to cleanse the skin of a mix of sebum and typical urban pollution without overdrying. You can wash your face with this product twice a day with a clear conscience.

Plasters

Not all cosmetologists approve of them. But what could be more effective than a strip that pulls out dozens of “columns” from pores at a time? And if you apply a steaming mask first... Be sure to consult your dermatologist before declaring war on blackheads with such a radical method, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Masks

Aimed at drawing out impurities from pores and reducing skin oiliness. Typically, the mask is applied once a week or more often after washing and only on dry skin, left for at least three minutes, and then washed off. Cleansing fabric masks are also useful as an express remedy.

Causes and types of pathology

Comedones on the chest can be of exogenous and endogenous origin. The former appear under the influence of external factors, and the latter due to problems within the body. These points can be localized on the nipples, as well as around the nipples or over the entire surface of the skin in the upper part of the body.

Typically, points in the chest area occur for the following reasons:

• deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the blood;
• malfunctions of the immune system;
• hormonal changes;
• poor nutrition;
• hereditary predisposition;
• failure to comply with hygiene rules;
• allergic reactions;
• pathologies of the digestive organs.

The pathological process usually worsens in the summer. This is due to intense sweating and the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin.

Sometimes a mole can be mistaken for a comedone. Such points are not dangerous and do not require treatment.

How to choose the right remedy for blackheads: a mini-guide

It all depends on your skin type. Which one is yours?

The problem is the tendency to become fatty:

• you need comprehensive care: gel, tonic, cream, scrub and mask;
• choose products for daily use;
• Pocket-sized products will come in handy - for example, matting napkins.

Problem – combination skin:

• Enough gel, lotion and mask;
• give preference to textures that allow you to apply the product only to the T-zone.

Problem – dry or sensitive skin:

• your choice – cream or mask for local application (a fabric mask will no longer work);
• avoid drying cosmetics;
• Pay attention to anti-allergenic, non-comedogenic care.

Prevention

It is impossible to prevent a problem caused by genetics; such a defect requires complex action. In other cases, prevention will help avoid the formation of enlarged pores:

1. Stick to proper nutrition. The diet should include “slow” carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits, and legumes.
2. Maintain drinking regime. You need to drink as much water as your body needs. A deficiency will cause deterioration of the skin, and an excess of fluid will cause swelling.
3. Control hormonal levels. An endocrinologist will conduct an examination and advise you on how to achieve hormone balance.
4. Protect your face from ultraviolet radiation. Go outside after applying protective equipment. Sunbathe before 11 and after 17 hours.
5. Undergo routine medical examinations to prevent diseases.
6. Choose cosmetics (both skincare and decorative) according to your skin type.
7. Avoid stress and maintain a sleep schedule.

If you urgently need to disguise a defect, this can be done using a concealer and foundation with a light structure. But this can only be done in extremely rare cases. Enlarged pores require an integrated approach and maximum attention.

Ultrasonic cleaning78

Ultrasonic peeling is suitable for dry, aging, sensitive skin. It involves the use of a special device that emits high-frequency vibrations. Ultrasound cleanses pores of impurities, removes blackheads, stimulates collagen production, improves hemodynamics and cell respiration, and activates metabolic processes.

Pros:

• promotes skin renewal;
• exfoliates dead dermal cells;
• can be used for sensitive skin;
• Provides natural hydration.

Minuses:

• To achieve an effect, systematicity is required;
• there is a risk of spreading subcutaneous acne and rash;
• acts on the upper layers.

Chemical peeling45

The technique is based on the use of organic acids that dissolve dead cells of the surface layer of the skin. According to the depth of impact, chemical peeling can be superficial, medium and deep. The choice of active ingredients and procedure method depends on the condition of the skin.

Pros:

• renewal of the epidermis by exfoliating dead cells;
• mobilization of regenerating, protective functions;
• improvement of complexion;
• suppression of excessive activity of the sebaceous glands;
• elimination of post-acne, scars, age spots.

Minuses:

• increased vulnerability of the epidermis to ultraviolet radiation;
• swelling;
• risk of developing an allergic reaction to organic acids;
• exacerbation of herpes;
• presence of contraindications.

Mechanical skin cleaning at home

At home, you can clean your pores no worse than in an expensive salon. Here are the basic recommendations for the procedure:

• the skin on the chest is first cleaned and steamed (over a container of boiling water or herbal decoction - chamomile, string, etc.);
• The skin of the hands is thoroughly washed with soap and disinfected by wiping with medical alcohol or other antiseptic;
• During the procedure, you can wear medical gloves;
• wrap a sterile bandage or napkins around the fingers;
• the skin around the comedone is grabbed and gently pressed (not too hard); heated sebum becomes soft and pliable, it comes out easily;
• the hole remaining after the comedone is disinfected.

After opening all the comedones, you can narrow the pores by applying a protein mask to the skin. The optimal frequency of such procedures is once every 10-14 days until the dark spots completely disappear.

In parallel with this, in the interval between mechanical cleansing, you can treat the skin with scrubs, and also use ready-made emulsions, which contain from 10 to 20% glycolic acid. Such products are low-concentration, and they are safe to use.

Vacuum cleaning

The procedure involves cleansing the face using a vacuum nozzle, which pumps air under negative pressure and draws out the contents of clogged pores. Before vacuum cleaning, the pores are opened by steaming the skin, which improves the quality of the procedure. After cleaning with a vacuum, the face looks refreshed.

Pros:

• minimal discomfort;
• removal of contaminants in hard-to-reach places;
• high hygiene;
• possibility of independent implementation;
• minimal risk of infection;
• complex effect (tonic, lymphatic drainage, cleansing effect).

Minuses:

• not suitable for thin and dry skin;
• cannot be used for dermatoses, rosacea, rosacea, purulent formations.

Not only problematic: what you need to remember

• This problem does not come alone - acne can become its companions. But this is a problem not only for those with excessively oily skin, but also for those who have combination skin - the T-zone with pimples and pronounced shine, dry or even sensitive cheeks.
• Despite the fact that the appearance of comedones is usually correlated with excessive secretion production, the characteristics of the epidermis are not a prerequisite for the appearance of “plugs” that clog pores.
• Often the fight against blackheads comes down to just talking about cleaning and prevention, while practically no time is devoted to prevention itself. The most effective way to help you forget about comedones is proper care. Let me clarify: it should be regular not only for the face, but also for the whole body.