Several blog readers have already expressed their wish that we address the topic of "blackheads." Of course, it's a very important topic when it comes to skincare—but it's also a bit unappealing. Seriously, who really wants to know that those black dots on your face are clogged pores and that the discoloration results from the oxidation of the skin pigment melanin with oxygen? Okay, the cat's out of the bag. But perhaps this information is also the best incentive to quickly take care of your comedones, the correct Latin term.
No signs of poor hygiene
First things first: "Blackheads" are not a sign of poor hygiene, even though this myth is often passed down from mother to child. "Child, wash your face more often" isn't a bad suggestion in principle. It's just the underlying reasoning that's flawed. The excessive production of sebum is hormonally driven. This means that those who suffer from it during their youth will likely experience the same problems as adults. The good news, however, is that it usually only affects the so-called T-zone: the forehead, nose, and chin have a particularly high concentration of sebaceous glands. And these glands tend to be even larger than those found in other areas of the face.
Face without black spots
The most important question now is: How do we combat this problem? Fortunately, there are many highly effective options. And this is where Mother's advice to wash your face is spot on. Gently cleansing your face morning and evening also removes excess sebum from your pores. This significantly reduces the risk of blockages. However, some prior research is essential: What skin type do you have – and which cleansing products are best suited for it? This is the first (and most important) step towards a beautiful complexion without blackheads.
4 tips against blackheads
What follows are the most important tips for getting rid of "Blackheads" (the newfangled and more appealing name):
1. Face masks
Face masks offer several benefits – especially if they contain salicylic acid or activated charcoal. They are particularly gentle on impurities, soften excess sebum, and subsequently promote cell renewal. A welcome side effect: users who complain about particularly large pores will notice that their skin becomes smoother after regular use of masks.
2. Peeling
Exfoliation always carries a slight risk – at least if your facial skin isn't perfectly healthy. Because exfoliants have a rather coarse texture, they can put stress on the tissue. In other words, if you don't want to forgo exfoliation, you should first use a skin repair cream (with extra moisture). However, the effect on blackheads is noticeable. Products containing salicylic acid, in particular, effectively remove the dead skin cells and sebum.
3. Blackhead plaster
Anyone who subscribes to the saying "An Indian knows no pain" should consider blackhead strips. These so-called clear-up strips are quick and easy to use. Simply apply, peel off – and the effect is visible – both in the skin and on the strip itself, now covered in black dots. However, we should mention the following limitations: Firstly, the effect is usually short-lived – because nothing is done to address the overproduction of sebum. And secondly, the strips often work better on the nose and forehead; the effect is less pronounced on the cheeks.
4.Blackhead vacuum cleaner
The remover – as the name suggests – tackles blackheads mechanically. It suctions the blockages out of the affected pores. As with strips, there's a limitation: using the device is more effective on smoother surfaces like the nose and forehead than on the cheeks.
Why skin cleansing is important
Why is comedone removal so important – aside from the cosmetic aspect? To understand this, you need to know that excess sebum production can trigger two types of comedones. First, there are the blackheads we've just discussed. If these aren't treated, or if the underlying cause isn't addressed, acne can develop. And this can happen at any age. Nobody wants that. But there's also a second type: whiteheads. These are plugs that don't allow the glandular secretions to escape – instead, they trap them under the skin in the form of a milky-white plug. They cause larger pimples or pustules, and can also become encapsulated and inflamed under the skin.
The unhealthy lifestyle
While we've already given tips from the drugstore or cosmetics department a few paragraphs ago, we should also mention home remedies. There are quite a few things that people with blackheads already have at home. However, it's important to first emphasize that a healthy lifestyle always has a positive effect on skin tissue – especially on the face. Those who drink little (or preferably no) alcohol, don't smoke, eat well, drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep can actually save themselves a lot of beauty routines.
Home remedies for blackheads
As mentioned earlier, the formation of blackheads also depends on genetics. So, if you're unlucky enough to have high sebum production, you can also rely on the following tips: Steam baths with chamomile are a natural remedy. Simply boil a tea bag in hot water, place it in a bowl, and let it cool briefly. Then hold your face over it. The steam opens or dilates the pores, allowing the sebum to drain away. An added benefit: The chamomile steam has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. Other home remedies include tea tree oil (antibacterial; apply with a cotton ball), fresh lemon juice (4 drops on a tablespoon of sugar, gently massage in), and healing clay (apply like a face mask; it draws out sebum and toxins).
Where does the term "comedy" come from?
Finally, let's return to the history of "blackheads": A quick internet search will turn up the technical term "comedo," which in turn derives from the Latin "comedere," meaning "to eat" or "to eat with." What these black dots have to do with eating isn't immediately clear. Only a bit more persistent research leads to the answer: In earlier times, specifically the Middle Ages, people believed that diseases were caused exclusively by parasites. Yes, that's a bit disgusting. And it doesn't get any better: The misconception was that these sebum plugs were tiny worms that fed on their host under the skin. From this, science later derived the term "comedo"—and colloquially, "blackhead." Promise, that's it for the unpleasant details... almost. Because there's one more piece of advice: It's always a bad idea to squeeze blackheads with your fingers. Why? There is a risk that the sebum will be forced into the surrounding tissue. This usually results in inflammation that leaves its mark on the face for a long time. Surely nobody wants that.
