What causes oily skin and blackheads?
Oily skin is largely hereditary, but can also be caused by hormonal imbalances such as puberty or pregnancy.
According to the American Association of Dermatology, blackheads are formed through oil, dead skin cells and bacteria that block pores and cause small bumps called blackheads. If a blocked pore stays open, it can look kind of black and is called a blackhead.
While you may have been born with acne- and blemish-prone skin that doesn’t mean it’s not manageable/without help. With the right routine you can curb oiliness and the blemishes that go with it.
So what routine should you follow?
Taking care of your skin is extremely important when you have oily and blemish-prone skin. Twice a day you should cleanse your skin, ideally with a gentle yet effective cleanser. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid that works to help clear out the oil from your pores. Garnier’s Clean + Blackhead Cleansing Gel has salicylic acid as well as other ingredients to remove dirt and other pore clogging particles Garnier’s Clean Blackhead Cleansing Gel contains ingredients that attract impurities like a magnet to help cleanse your pores. Salicylic acid improves exfoliation of the skin cells to facilitate the removal of excess sebum that can get stuck in pores.
Develop a habit of exfoliating your skin 2-3 times per week. Exfoliating is a critical step to slough away dead skin cells, which contribute to blackheads. Garnier’s Clean+ Blackhead Eliminating Scrub effectively cleanses and exfoliates, revealing a clear layer of skin. After cleansing, apply an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer to restore moisture on the skin. It is a myth that oily skin does not need moisturizer. Avoid thick moisturizers that can clog your pores. It’s okay to occasionally apply a serum with antioxidants to your skin before applying moisturizer. Serums are highly effective skin care products often packed with antioxidants which can help your skin look radiant.
How should you treat blackheads?
While a good cleansing routine like the one outlined above should help reduce the appearance of your blackheads, the occasional blackhead may still sneakily arise. Using a toner after cleansing, might be a helpful extra step to incorporate since toners remove any excess oils and bacteria in the blackhead-prone areas.
If your stubborn blackheads refuse to budge, we recommend you visit a dermatologist or esthetician for a professional extraction. These trained professionals have special tools that they use to force stubborn blackheads out of the pores.
Extra Credit
The most important thing you need to know about skin care is that you need to find the right routine for your skin type. Below are some products that can work effectively in your fight against blackheads and help tame your oily skin.
Cleansing Oils
A lot of people think that if you have oily skin you should run from any type of oil but for some, cleansing with oil can be effective as oils attract other oils.
Purifying masks
Masks containing mud or clay can draw out impurities from your skin which can help minimize the appearance of your pores. Consider using one once a week for results.
