Skin Care For Blackheads: A Comprehensive Guide

Vegetable oils are a natural skin care when it comes to protecting and moisturizing it. They keep the skin supple and protect it from external influences. Our skin also produces lipid-like substances that are necessary for maintaining the skin's natural protective barrier. However, our skin often produces an excess of oils and this can lead to blemishes, blackheads and pimples.

Acne and shiny skin are the main consequences of excess oil production. There is hardly anyone who has not suffered from blackheads at least once, as they are a common problem. The good news is that regulating the formation of blackheads or pimples is not an impossible task. With the right guidance, you can easily make them disappear and it's even easier to prevent them.

What are blackheads?

Your skin has tiny holes called pores through which oil naturally escapes. When too much oil is produced, it clogs the pores along with impurities and dead skin cells, forming blackheads, also known as "comedone acne".

Acne usually appears during puberty, but can occur at any point in life, with blackheads being the most common form.

Blackheads appear mainly on the area of the face known as the "T-zone", which includes the forehead, nose and chin. This is because more oil is produced there than on the rest of the face.

But that doesn't mean blackheads can't appear on the rest of your body. Every skin has pores, so clogged pores are possible anywhere on the body and you can even get blackheads in your ears.

The problem with blackheads is not only that they don't look aesthetically pleasing, but also that they often leave scars. Don't panic, because you can avoid this if you follow a few tips and advice regularly.

What causes blackheads?

There are several factors that can lead to the appearance of blackheads, including the following:

• Hormonal factor: puberty with its hormonal surge stimulates oil production, which leads to the appearance of blackheads and other types of acne in teenagers. This can also happen during pregnancy, menopause or when taking contraceptives.
• Dietary factor: sugar and fats promote hormone production.  Therefore, their consumption can trigger the appearance of blackheads.
• Wrong choice of cosmetic products: The skin type determines the selection of the appropriate cosmetics. Using the wrong product can clog your pores and cause blackheads.
• Inadequate hygiene: an incomplete cleansing routine and a bad habit of not removing makeup, as well as constantly touching your face with dirty hands, are co-factors that promote the appearance of blackheads.
• Hereditary factor: some people have a greater biological predisposition to getting blackheads throughout their lives.

Environmental conditions can also have a big impact on the appearance of blackheads, so protect yourself from cold and heat. An example is summer, when you sweat more than usual in high temperatures. Pores are more likely to clog under these conditions, which encourages the appearance of blackheads.

Therefore, you should take the right measures to protect your skin.

How to remove blackheads correctly?

Blackheads should be treated gently so that the sebaceous glands can perform their natural function of moisturizing and protecting the skin.

The most important thing is not to touch, squeeze or pinch the blackheads, as there are bacteria under the nails that can promote inflammation.

There are tools to help you remove blackheads properly:

• Comedo Remover: Facilitates the removal of blackheads. It is applied by applying moderate pressure to the skin. It removes blackheads from the root. This method is an alternative to squeezing, but should be performed by a trained esthetician.
• Anti-blackhead patches: These patches are usually used on the nose area. Their main advantage is that the blackheads stick to the patch. Often, such patches can overly irritate the skin. Their use should be well considered and not done frequently.
• Clay or activated charcoal masks: a gentle way or mechanical action to treat the blackheads or the impure skin. Masks with clay or activated charcoal can be bought ready-made or mixed by yourself. Please note that masks made of clay or activated charcoal and especially blackhead patches are not suitable for very sensitive, extremely dry or highly inflamed skin.
  

If these methods fail, the best option is to consult a dermatologist. In any case, a professional is best suited to diagnose and, if necessary, prescribe effective treatment.

How to prevent the appearance of blackheads?

Adequate hygiene is a fundamental step to avoid not only blackheads, but also any other type of acne breakouts or other blemishes in advance. When it comes to cleansing, it's important that you aim for mild and thorough cleansing, which is important for every skin type. Overly aggressive cleansing disrupts the skin's protective barrier and promotes excessive sebum production in the skin, while often drying it out at the same time.

For thorough and skin-friendly cleansing, it is necessary to opt for special skin products.

At Craft & Care there is the cleansing balm with white clay that gently dissolves makeup, sunscreen, oil, sweat and dirt. It is non-irritating, preserves the skin's protective barrier and is suitable for all skin types.

Proper exfoliation is also crucial to prevent the appearance of blackheads, as it promotes skin regeneration and removes debris and impurities on the skin. Physical exfoliants (with granules or other abrasive particles) should be avoided. Chemical peels with lactic acid or salicylic acid that are mildly dosed are a much more skin-friendly alternative.

Moisturizing the skin with creams and other products plays an important role, as hydrated skin can function better at the cellular level. Our moisturizing serum is a water-based product and is oil-free. It is also compatible for acne-prone skin. It has antimicrobial properties and has a soothing and refreshing effect on the skin.

Another ideal product for your skin care routine is our Balancing Toner. The contained multifunctional active ingredient niacinamide has a regulating, protective and moisturizing effect. It also helps to support pores in their functioning. Thus, you prevent the accumulation of bacteria, external influences and oil in the pores and thus the formation of blackheads.

The right diet is also important to prevent the appearance of blackheads and acne in general. There is no standard diet that we can recommend, but many nutritionists agree that certain foods increase oil production:

• Refined carbohydrates
• Dairy products
• Sugar
• Products with a high content of saturated and trans fats
• Alcoholic beverages
• Excessive consumption of sweetened chocolate products

By avoiding constant consumption, you reduce the likelihood of blackheads forming on your skin. On the contrary, the consumption of avocado, nuts, brown rice, fruit and vegetable juices helps to keep the skin healthy, which prevents all types of acne. This is possible because they are rich in vitamins (B, C, E) and minerals (zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron).

In our blog post on a healthy diet and the impact on skin appearance, gives you a nice overview on the topic.

Don't forget to drink enough water every day. Even though some people ignore it, hydration is an important point in skin care. Drinking plenty of water, at least 2.7 liters per day, is enough to prevent blackheads and other ailments.

Taking care of and preventing blackheads is equivalent to taking care of your skin inside and out. A balanced diet, the use of the right products, adequate hydration and optimal hygiene are enough to achieve this.