Whiteheads Vs. Blackheads: What's the Difference?
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably caught yourself peering into the mirror and trying to figure out what those small bumps on your face are. Maybe they’re white or yellow, or even darker and almost black. What you’re looking at may be a form of acne called whiteheads or blackheads.
Whiteheads and blackheads consist of the same material, which is typically a combination of dead skin cells, oil, and sebum. However, whiteheads are closed pores, while blackheads stay open. This key difference impacts how you should go about treating each type.
Whiteheads vs. Blackheads
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However, whiteheads are closed pores, while blackheads stay open.
How to Help Remove Whiteheads
Although it’s tempting to pinch and squeeze your skin to get rid of whiteheads, this is not the best way to do it! Popping whiteheads without the proper tools and techniques can lead to more bacteria getting into your pores and scarring. But, there are some ways you can help to remove whiteheads.
- Start with hydrocolloid patches. Blemish patches provide a protective barrier while gently absorbing oil and pus.
- Apply a pore- clarifying cleanser. Salicylic Acid is a gentle way to exfoliate your skin and help reduce the amount of oil on the surface of your face. Salicylic acid helps unclog blocked pores by breaking down dead skin cells to loosen the pore more easily, and break down sebum.
- If you have oily skin or sweat a lot during the day, keep cleansing cloths with you for effective cleansing during the day. Cleansing clothes is bacteria-resistant meaning that residue and make-up can be removed after its use. These clothes can also be reused after cleaning under water. At night, make sure to remove all your makeup to avoid excess bacteria on your face. Using patches for pimples isn't necessary but can also help.
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Lastly, adding a gentle exfoliating scrub to your weekly routine can help remove dead skin cells that can clog your pores. But, make sure not to overdo it with exfoliating. Over-exfoliating can damage your skin and make your breakouts even worse!
How to Remove Blackheads
Blackhead removal is slightly different from whitehead removal. Cleansers and exfoliators can help with both blackheads and whiteheads, but here are some extra tips for dealing with blackheads:
- You can add pore strips to your routine for immediate blackhead removal. Pore strips help to easily remove debris side the pores, which includes dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria.
- If your blackheads are caused by excessively oily skin, adding a facial mask with charcoal or clay to your skincare routine can help absorb excess oil that can contribute to blackheads.
- Only use makeup labeled as non-comedogenic (or non-pore-clogging) to help prevent blackheads before they form on your skin.
How to Help Prevent Whiteheads
Whitehead prevention is as simple as basic skincare steps that should be kept consistent. Following these tips to prevent whiteheads:
- The first step in helping to prevent whiteheads is to make sure you’re regularly washing your face. Washing your face once in the morning and once at night should be enough to keep your face clean from pore-clogging bacteria and oil.
- If you work out or are very active during the day, you may need to wash your face more often. For cleansing on the go, carry cleansing cloths with you to clean and refresh your skin at any time.
- As you go about your day, avoid touching your face. You touch lots of surfaces throughout the day, so your hands can collect dirt and bacteria that can get into your pores.
- Finally, you want to maintain a balanced diet filled with low-glycemic carbohydrates, healthy fats, and a lot of protein to support healthy skin. Foods with antioxidants, such as kale and berries, can also help nourish your skin and help prevent acne.
How to Help Prevent Blackheads
To help prevent blackheads, you should practice a skincare routine for oily skin types that focuses on removing excess oil, dirt, and dead skin—three main blackhead factors. Follow these tips to prevent blackheads:
1. Start by washing your face twice a day with a Salicylic Acid cleanser. This specific type of cleanser helps loosen the dirt and oil in your pores, so it’s known to be effective in preventing blackheads.
2. Each week, treat your skin to a face mask and an exfoliating scrub. Masks with clay or charcoal help to remove excess oil and deeply cleanse your pores while an exfoliating scrub helps get rid of dead skin on your face.
3. If you notice that your face gets oily during the day, carry cleansing wipes in your bag to remove excess oil.
4. If you notice that your face gets oily during the day, carry cleansing wipes in your bag to remove excess oil.
Key Takeaways
- Both whiteheads and blackheads form due to bacteria, dead skin, and sebum clogging and irritating your pores.
- For both blackheads and whiteheads, don’t try to remove them by popping or squeezing your skin!
- Wash your face with a cleanser containing Salicylic Acid twice a day and use facial wipes for on-the-go cleansing.
- During the day, wear noncomedogenic makeup and sunscreen to prevent products from clogging your pores.
- Treat your skin to a weekly facial mask for deep pore cleansing. Use our face mask tips for advice on how to apply face masks as part of your skincare routine.
- Pore strips are ideal for blackhead removal but are less effective for whiteheads. For men, try our nose strips for men, or give blemish patches a try for whiteheads. To target more areas, look for nose and face pore strips.
