Get rid of those (oh-so-squeezably addictive) blackheads

Blackheads are pesky but common imperfections that occur when pores get clogged at the surface of your skin. When the excess oil and dead skin cells trapped in your pores get exposed to air, they oxidize and darken, resulting in those oh-so-squeezable dark bumps.

You’re most likely to develop blackheads on your face, especially around the nose and chin where your skin’s oil glands are more concentrated. Getting blackheads doesn’t mean you’re dirty; some contributing factors might include excess oil production in your skin, hormonal changes, and clogged pores.

It’s borderline repulsive, yet extremely rewarding—with every successful purge, you feel a sense of satisfaction. For most people, squeezing blackheads is a gratuitous little habit they can control. Yet for some, it can quickly become a compulsion. Experts explain there’s a cycle of anxiety or arousal before the act and a sense of relief after, making blemish-popping addictive and particularly hard to stop.

It also explains why videos of blackhead removal and pimple-popping have become a social media phenomena. People are fascinated by other people's distress or difficulties, and as gross as pimple-popping is, watching the intensity of someone else's problems brings a cathartic rush of satisfaction for many.

Then there’s the primeval element. Grooming is evolutionarily ingrained in us. Animals groom each other and pick off fleas and mites. Thousands of years ago, humans did as well. Watching other people groom themselves may have less to do with hygiene than with some sense of primal bonding.

Regardless of your reason for picking, the aftermath is messy. Every squeeze session can cause visible skin damage, especially if it’s a daily occurrence. “Squeezing and pulling stretches the elastin around the pores, which can enlarge them,” explains dermatologist Dr. David Orentreich. With constant squeezing, pores can stretch out over time without the ability to bounce back.

What’s more, says Dr. Orentreich, “Squeezing blackheads, picking acne, or popping pimples can damage your pore’s surrounding tissue, leading to inflammation and scarring.” When you feel the urge to purge, keep your hands busy— try squeezing a stress ball, fiddling with a wrist tie, or even putting on gloves.

A more gentle way to get rid of blackheads is to arm yourself with a product that will help clear them out without squeezing. This way, you’ll get the gratification without risking the enlarged pores, pain, or scarring that come with popping. Try the following effective ways to help prevent and reduce blackheads:

We recommend Clinique’s Blackhead Solutions Self-Heating Blackhead Extractor. This purifying formula, with salicylic acid, bamboo powder, and pumice, warms up when mixed with water, gently opening up pores so that it can get to work to help clear out oxidized oil, dirt, and debris. It also has an applicator tip with textured nubbies to help massage the formula onto skin. The proof: It’s clinically proven to reduce blackheads by 93% in 6 weeks.¹

It’s important to also use an exfoliant like Clinique’s 7 Day Deep Pore Cleanse & Scrub to help promote skin cell turnover and reduce pore clogging. Look for formulas with ingredients such as salicylic acid as they can help clear blackheads while also sweeping away excess oil, dirt and debris. Exfoliating can leave your skin feeling smooth while helping reduce excess oil.

A face mask is a great way to draw out impurities in your skin and unclog your pores. Use Clinique’s 7 Day Deep Pore Cleanse & Scrub by applying a thin layer on your face where needed, once or twice per week. This product also contains kaolin clay, which can help purify your pores and control excess oil.

Pay careful attention to what you use on your skin and reach for non-comedogenic products whenever you can. These products are specially formulated to be less likely to clog pores, which can help reduce the risk of blackheads. Start by choosing a fragrance-free cleanser like Clinique’s Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam to cleanse your skin twice daily. This helps remove excess oil and debris. Then apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer like our Acne Solutions All-Over Clearing Treatment to keep your skin hydrated and clear blackheads.

If you have acne-prone skin with breakouts, we recommend Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel. A prescription-strength formula with salicylic acid, it helps clear acne and control oil, and it gets results as good as a topical prescription for clearing acne.² It also works to keep excess oil and dead skin cells at bay and helps prevent new acne from forming so you see clearer skin. “Hands off. Products on,” advises Dr. Orentreich.

An effective way to fight and prevent breakouts? Adopt a consistent skincare regimen and incorporate targeted products from a skincare brand like Clinique. By using non-comedogenic, blackhead-specific and acne-fighting treatment products, you can manage those stubborn blemishes while smoothing the way to clearer, more flawless skin.

¹ Clinical testing on 51 women.
² In a 12-week clinical study