How to Get Rid of Blackheads: 9 Derm-Recommended Tips
Blackheads may not be inflamed or painful like pimples, but let’s be honest—they’re just as frustrating. And just as stubborn. No matter how often you squeeze them out, they always seem to find their way back. Now for the good news: Having clear pores is totally within reach. So if you’re wondering how to get rid of blackheads, we’re here for you. Keep reading for a list of derm-approved ways to treat blackheads at the source—plus the targeted products that keep those pesky blemishes at bay.
Meet the Expert
- Dr. Ashley Magovern - Board-certified dermatologist and member of Dermstore's Medical Advisory Board
What are Blackheads?
Blackheads or open comedones are a type of acne that appear as small, dark spots on the skin, particularly around the nose and chin. “They form when pores and hair follicles become clogged with excess oil or sebum, dead skin cells, and debris,” explains Dr. Magovern. Because they remain open at the surface, the contents inside are exposed to air, leading to oxidation and giving blackheads their dark color.
What Causes Blackheads?
Just like acne, blackheads form when excess oil and dead skin cells settle inside pores or hair follicles. “The open pore allows the trapped material to oxidize, turning it dark,” says Dr. Magovern, citing hormonal changes and not properly cleansing the skin as contributing factors.
Key Ingredients to Remove Blackheads
Tackling the underlying cause and not just what’s on the surface is crucial in effectively removing blackheads. Pore strips can give your skin a temporary reprieve, but these don’t address the root of the problem. Meaning, those blackheads will eventually return—maybe even with a vengeance. If you’re serious about finding a long-term solution, Dr. Magovern says these are the best ingredients to get the job done:
Salicylic Acid: This beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) unclogs pores to break down excess oil and dissolve buildup. Retinol: Retinol is known for speeding up the cell turnover, which results in an exfoliating effect that helps prevent pore congestion and clear existing blackheads. Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid: Both alpha-hydroxy acids or AHAs, glycolic and lactic acids gently exfoliates the skin by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells, making them easier to shed. Clay (Kaolin and Bentonite) and Charcoal: Clay and charcoal are oily skin heroes, thanks to their ability to absorb excess oil, draw out impurities trapped deeply within pores, and detoxify the skin. Niacinamide: A true multitasker, niacinamide can help regulate oil production and calm inflammation, especially when blackheads turn into a full-blown breakout. Sulfur and Benzoyl Peroxide: Anti-acne staples sulfur and benzoyl peroxide can take excess oil down a notch and have antibacterial properties that prevent germs from multiplying inside pores and causing acne.
How to Remove Blackheads At-Home
1. Switch to a Cleanser with Salicylic Acid
Cleansing is the foundation of every skincare routine, and a face wash with salicylic acid goes a step further by breaking down trapped gunk inside pores. If your skin tends to run dry, make sure you get your hands on a daily-use formula that perfectly balances cleansing and hydration.
Featured Product: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
400 reviews
$69.00
With its iconic powder-based formula, this exfoliating cleanser smooths and brightens skin with a calming yet effective formula perfect for daily use.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Colloidal Oatmeal, Rice Extract
Skin Type: All skin types
Skin Benefit(s): Smooths and brightens complexion, evens skin tone, removes debris and other impurities
Beauty Insider Tip: Create a creamy exfoliating paste by mixing the powder with water with your hands. Adjust the amount of water to tailor the intensity of exfoliation to your skin’s needs.
2. Try Double Cleansing
You may love how sweat- and water-proof your sunscreen or makeup is, but removing them can be a huge ordeal. And that’s what double-cleansing is for. “This ensures pore remains clear, reducing the risk of blackheads,” says Dr. Magovern. She recommends starting with a non-comedogenic oil cleanser to break down hard-to-budge products, followed by a gentle water-based cleanser to wash away residue.
Featured Product: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
1589 reviews
$16.00
This olive oil-based cult fave is the cleansing oil that started the double cleansing movement. It attracts dirt and oil while breaking down sunscreen and stubborn makeup without clogging your skin and leaving any oily residue—just a silky, thoroughly cleansed complexion.
Key Ingredients: Olive Oil, Vitamin E, Rosemary Leaf Oil
Skin Type: All skin types
Skin Benefit(s): Removes all traces of makeup and sunscreen, rinses off easily with no residue, supports moisture barrier, softens and improves radiance
Beauty Insider Tip: With dry hands, thoroughly massage two to three drops of the oil onto dry face before rinsing off with lukewarm water.
3. Steam Skin Before Cleansing
If you’re dealing with stubborn blackheads that refuse to budge, steaming your skin before cleansing may be the trick you’re missing. The quick-and-easy spa trick softens your skin and opens your pores, making it easier for your cleanser to draw out and dislodge blackheads. You can also try steaming before exfoliating or masking.
Featured Product: Murad Clarifying Cleanser
52 reviews
$36.00
Infused with menthol and time-released salicylic acid, this cooling gel cleanser works overtime to combat acne flareups, reduce excess oil, and clarify congested skin—even after being rinsed off.
Key Ingredients: Green Tea, Salicylic Acid, Silver Citrate, Menthol, Citrus Oils
Skin Type: Oily, Acne-Prone, Combination, Normal
Skin Benefit(s): Releases salicylic acid continually for hours, clears and smooths complexion, breaks up trapped oil to unclog pores, provides antibacterial protection, cooling and calming
Beauty Insider Tip: Cleanse skin immediately after steaming while pores are still open for optimal penetration.
4. Renew Skin with Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is one of Dr. Yang’s favorite ingredients in fighting the good fight against blackheads—and for good reason. It’s a super gentle chemical exfoliant that melts the sticky substance that binds dead skin cells to your skin, clearing debris, brightening the surface, and preventing blockages.
Featured Product: NEOSTRATA Resurface Foaming Glycolic Wash AHA 20
87 reviews
RRP: $60.00Current price: $36.00
Made for skin that’s already accustomed to exfoliating acids, this maximum-strength AHA cleanser uses glycolic acid to refresh skin and clear it of all pore-clogging debris, excess oil, and dead skin cells.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Grapefruit Extract
Skin Type: Oily, Acne-Prone
Skin Benefit(s): Gently exfoliates, preps skin for the rest of skincare routine, tones and brightens, rich in antioxidants
Beauty Insider Tip: This potent face wash can be used daily by advanced AHA users. If you want to play it safe, start with two to three times weekly until you’re confident with your skin’s tolerance.
5. Add a Leave-On Exfoliant
If you want to make sure your pores stay oil- and debris-free, then a leave-on exfoliant or exfoliating serum is one you should definitely add to your routine. Salicylic works perfectly for this as it goes deeper inside pores to remove buildup and she dead skin.
Featured Product: Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2 BHA LIQUID EXFOLIANT
863 reviews
$35.00
This best-selling leave-on exfoliant clears and prevents congestion while fading blemishes left behind by breakouts. It helps shrink enlarged pores and controls oil production without compromising your skin barrier.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2%, Green Tea Extract, Methylpropanediol
Skin Type: All skin types
Skin Benefit(s): Visibly reduces pores and controls sebum, improves skin barrier, cleanses pores deeply, minimizes blackheads and whiteheads, smooths texture
Beauty Insider Tip: With your hands or cotton pad, apply to your face and neck or to areas prone to congestion (nose and chin) for targeted treatment. Start with every other day application and observe your skin’s response before increasing use to twice daily. Don’t forget your SPF when using it during the day.
6. Apply a Retinol
Not just for fine lines and wrinkles, retinol’s ability to speed up cell turnover regulates the shedding of dead skin cells more efficiently. This ensures they don’t linger inside your pores and prevents new ones from building up.
Featured Product: SkinCeuticals 0.5 Refining Night Treatment
409 reviews
$90.00
Formulated for intermediate retinol users, this nighttime anti-aging treatment promotes cell turnover, which not only helps refine wrinkles and fine lines but also unclogs pores while improving overall skin tone. The best part? It’s also infused with calming botanicals to prevent irritation and sensitivity.
Key Ingredients: Retinol 0.5%, Bisabolol (Chamomile) and Boswellia Serrata (Frankincense) Soothing Complex
Skin Type: Acne-Prone, Oily, Mature, Combination, Normal
Skin Benefit(s): Speeds up cell turnover, improves fine lines and wrinkles, brightens discoloration and blemishes, refines pores, non-comedogenic and minimizes irritation
Beauty Insider Tip: Make sure your skin has fully adapted to the potency before going all out with your retinol use. Start with once or twice a week application, then every other night, before increasing to nightly use.
7. Give Your Skin an At-Home Peel
You don’t always need to book an appointment to reap the benefits of a facial peel. An at-home peel can instantly renew your skin’s surface, brightening hyperpigmentation, improving clarity, and reducing blackheads.
Featured Product: Dr. Dennis Gross Beta Universal Daily Peel
30 reviews
$153.00
Combining AHAs and BHAs to exfoliate, refine pores, and boost skin radiance, these dual-step exfoliating pads are a safe, convenient, and effective way to reap the benefits of chemical peels without the discomfort.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Malic Acid
Skin Type: Acne-Prone, Oily, Combination, Normal
Skin Benefit(s): Reduces blackheads, improves skin clarity by fading blemishes and acne scars, refines the look of fine lines and wrinkles, minimizes oil and shine
Beauty Insider Tip: Morning or night, apply by starting with the Step 1 pad, and wait two minutes before using the Step 2 pad. Follow with a hydrating serum or moisturizer. Top off with SPF if using during the day.
8. Make Clay Masking a Habit
Oily skin can bring a lot of skin drama if not cared for properly, including blackheads that persist. That’s why you need clay masks in your skincare routine. Do it one to two times weekly to help your skin cope with excess oil and draw out blackheads over time.
Featured Product: SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque
239 reviews
$70.00
A non-drying blend of kaolin and bentonite clays, this oil-absorbing and detoxifying clay mask works hard to absorb excess oil and decongest pores, drawing out stubborn debris embedded deep within pores.
Key Ingredients: Kaolin and Bentonite Clays, Mixed Fruit Extracts 2% (Malic, Lactic, Tartaric, Citric, and Glycolic Acids), Aloe, Chamomile
Skin Type: Acne-Prone, Oily, Combination, Normal
Skin Benefit(s): Exfoliates dead skin cells gently, removes excess oil, lifts impurities, decongests pores, calms and soothes skin
Beauty Insider Tip: For better penetration and smoother results, use after cleansing and toning and leave for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Use once a week to maintain skin and prevent buildup, and twice weekly for congested skin.
9. Treat with Sulfur
Congested pores don’t just lead to blackheads, they can also easily turn into a hotbed for acne-causing bacteria. Sulfur nips this in the bud by drying out excess oil and killing off bacteria to prevent breakouts.
Featured Product: Kate Somerville Eradikate Acne Treatment
15 reviews
$28.00
This fast-acting acne treatment goes straight to work to clear existing pimples with the highest dose of sulfur allowed. It reduces redness and prevents future breakouts by keeping oil production under control and minimizing blackheads.
Key Ingredients: 10% Sulfur, BHAs, Zinc Oxide
Skin Type: Oily, Acne-Prone, Combination, Normal
Skin Benefit(s): Goes deep into skin to unclog pores, clears existing breakouts, reduces excess oil and redness, prevents future breakouts
Beauty Insider Tip: Ideal for use at the first sign of a pimple (or as soon as you feel one brewing under the surface), dip a clean cotton swab through the pink sediment and apply directly to the affected area. Make sure you don’t shake the bottle.
10. Try a Pore Extractor
If you’re wondering how to get rid of blackheads the quickest way possible, then go for a professional extraction. But if that’s not possible, an at-home extraction device is your best bet. Mimicking in-office treatments, a pore-perfecting tool can improve skin clarity by using gentle vacuum-like suction to dislodge stubborn debris.
Featured Product: Dermaflash Dermapore Ultrasonic Pore Extractor and Serum Infuser
This next-generation dual-action device uses the latest ultrasonic and ionic technology to deep clean pores and enhance serum absorption for clearer, blemish-free skin. It gently draws out impurities from deep within pores, removing dirt, oil, and blackheads while shrinking and tightening pores instantly.
Key Features:
Skin Type: All skin types
Skin Benefit(s): Unclogs pores with gentle pressure using high-frequency ultrasonic waves, non-irritating, extracts stubborn impurities, improves skincare absorption
Beauty Insider Tip: Before using as an extractor, make sure to wet your skin with Prep Mist and reapply as necessary as skin needs to remain wet throughout the treatment.
Derm-Recommended Ways to Prevent Blackheads
Prevention is always the best way to deal with any skin drama, and the same is true for blackheads. According to Dr. Magovern, the surest way to make sure your complexion stays blemish-free and blackheads-proof is to follow these steps.
1. Cleanse Consistently
Grime, excess oil, and residue have no place in your skin. Make sure they don’t overstay by cleansing with a gentle and non-stripping face wash twice a day.
2. Exfoliate Regularly
“Use BHA and AHA products to minimize buildup,” says Dr. Magovern. Once- or twice-weekly exfoliation encourages cell turnover, removes impurities, and unclogs pores. Chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid are recommended to prevent micro-tears that can occur when you’re using coarse granules and scrubs. Just make sure to pick a formula that’s equally hydrating to avoid stripping and over-exfoliation.
3. Steer Clear of Heavy Oils and Creams
Certain oils and ingredients can easily overwhelm your skin and clog pores, so Dr. Magovern says it’s crucial to choose non-comedogenic skincare and makeup, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
4. Use Retinol
Retinol is a skincare MVP that does it all—from taking a few years off your appearance and brightening dark spots to speeding up cell turnover and treating acne. If you’re a retinoid newbie, start low and slow. That means choosing the lowest potency retinol and applying it on alternate nights until your skin has fully acclimated to the active ingredient.
5. Don't Retinol
Tempting as it may be to scrub blackheads away, Dr. Magovern says this is a major no-no. “You can’t scrub away blackheads. They are deep in the follicle, so consistent cleansing and skincare is the best way to treat them.”
FAQs
What Pulls Out Blackheads Immediately?
Pulling out blackheads can be done effectively using clay masks that draw out deeply lodged debris, pore extraction tools, and adhesive pore strips that pull blackheads from the surface.
Should You Squeeze Blackheads?
According to Dr. Magovern, it’s best to avoid squeezing blackheads at home as these can lead to injury, scarring, inflammation, and infection. “Professional extraction by a dermatologist or esthetician is safer and more effective.” That said, Dr. Magovern says you can try safely dislodging debris inside pores, provided you know what you’re doing. “Blackheads are open, so theoretically, you could gently squeeze the contents out. It’s more important to not try to squeeze the closed ones—the hard white bumps.”
Do Blackhead Strips Actually Work?
The short answer? Yes and no. According to Dr. Magovern, pore strips can give your skin quick relief from blackheads, but they’re not a long-term fix nor do they prevent new ones from forming. “These can pull out superficial blackheads but don’t address the root cause,” she adds.
Do Blackheads Leave Holes in Your Face?
Extracting blackheads don’t exactly leave holes in your face. However, they do stretch and enlarge pores, which don’t always shrink back to their normal size once the contents are gone. Using retinol and niacinamide helps in reducing their appearance over time, especially with consistent use.
The Bottom Line
Blackheads may be one of the most stubborn and most ubiquitous skin concerns, but that doesn’t mean your skin is stuck with them forever. If you’re wondering how to get rid of blackheads, your best bet is a targeted routine that focuses on decongesting your pores, regulating oil production, and preventing them from re-occurring. And if you want to go the extraction route, Dr. Magovern says it’s best not to do it bare-handed. Instead, go for an in-office procedure or invest in an at-home device that does the job safely and effectively.
Janeca Racho is a Journalism graduate with over 15 years of writing experience. After getting her start in public relations and advertising, she made the switch to freelance writing and began working for various lifestyle, fashion, and travel brands. Her love for all things skincare has led her to beauty reporting and research for the last ten years. Writing for several hair and beauty blogs, she reports on anti-aging staples, trending brands and products, must-have ingredients, and health and wellness.
