Best Products to Remove Blackheads

Living in a time where looks make all the impression, the slightest blemish can throw off a man’s appearance. One pimple here. A cold sore there. Facial skincare conditions can have profound social and psychological effects. Add blackheads to that list. These little neglected blots on your landscape are viewed as a representation of your hygiene. And playing host to several of these tiny black dots just isn’t a good look. But don’t feel singled out here. RELATED: Best Charcoal Face Masks for Men Per the American Academy of Dermatology, Acne affects over 50 million Americans and remains the most common skin disorder in the US. Blackheads are a byproduct of acne that usually forms on the face, more so on the oiliest part of it, the nose. That’s not to say they can’t appear on your arms, back, neck, shoulders, and other parts of the body. Now knowing this, it’s so worth scratching underneath the skin’s surface to understand the formation and science behind them. What Causes Blackheads? So what brings about these gross pore-clogging pollutants? Well first off, we need to clear something up, and that's the difference between a sebaceous filament and a blackhead. Blackheads form when the opening of a hair follicle becomes obstructed, forming a plug created by overproduced sebum that blocks your pores. Oxidation of sebum then turns the plug black. On the other hand, a sebaceous filament is a just fact of life, and typically not so noticeable. We are covered in tiny hairs coming out of tiny hair follicles. These follicles also come standard with a sebaceous gland that produces sebum to keep our skin naturally moisturized and protected. It’s when those filaments get overly oily that they can mimic blackheads. In addition to your DNA (yep, some of this is out of your control) these are just some other factors that may increase the chances of developing blackheads: Consuming dairy products and carbs that increase blood sugar levels Drugs such as corticosteroid, lithium or androgens Excessive buildup of propionibacterium acnes  Hormonal changes that increase oil production Extreme cases and might require prescription medications to reduce symptoms. However, dermatologists believe most stubborn blackhead treatments are a question of self-management. And no, not squeezing those suckers out by applying pressure to the bridge of your beak or anywhere on the face, no matter how bizarrely gratifying you’ve found acne extraction these past few years. Quit being an advocate of the subculture.  A plethora of skincare routine solutions exist in the skincare market designed to clear up your complexion spread across several categories. Let’s get you familiarized with all the different types of blackhead removal products out there.  How to Get Rid of Blackheads Facial Cleansers Much of what makes these face washes amazing blackhead treatments lies in the active ingredients they carry. Benzoyl peroxide, charcoal, and salicylic acid just to name a few works incredibly well to dissolve comedo (aka blackheads) and unclog pores for a clearer complexion. An ideal cleanser comes oil-free, removing dead skin cells and extreme sebum in the process. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel This fast-acting cleanser uses all-natural Quillaja Saponaria to generate a rich foam lather that wipes away impurities and leaves your pores clear and open without any abrasion or damage to your skin's natural moisture levels. Once the cleansing work is done, the combination of lavender extract and balm mint helps soothe your skin, making this cleanser gentle enough to use regularly. $44 at Amazon.com Anthony Glycolic Facial Cleanser This sulfate-free gentle cleanser is creamy, doesn’t suds up, and comes loaded with 4.2% glycolic acid, a key additive that’s considered the one of the most skin-friendly exfoliators there is. The potent power of that exfoliating acid is balanced out by an antioxidant blend of vitamins A, C, and E as well as a soothing blend of aloe, calendula, and chamomile. Great for daily use, especially pre-shave, when glycolic acid works to prevent clogged pores, ingrown hairs, and razor bumps helping ensure a clean, smooth shave. $18 at Amazon.com Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser Jack Black’s become a staple for modern groomists who are all in favor of maintaining their appearances. The brand incorporates kaolin clay, volcanic ash, and a variety of vegan-friendly ingredients that enhance the cleansing effect to have skin emerge firmer and smoother. Take a nickel-size amount of this cleanser, ideal or combination skin, and let it work magic on your mug.  $50 at Amazon.com Masks Face masks are favored for their ability to eradicate skin of everything from a single clogged pore to an array of blackheads and other contaminants. Some of the best ones are known for containing high-quality ingredients with antibacterial properties. Keep your eyes peeled for ones featuring activated charcoal, alpha hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.  Clay anchors a variety of skincare properties that are activated once its molecules become wet, developing an electric charge to draw out impurities trapped in the skin’s pores. Two types of clay exist-kaolin and bentonite-both designed to absorb sebum and leave your sheath feeling smoother. Making clay part of your grooming regimen will not only clear up skin, but improve elasticity and prevent breakouts.  Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask Complex, organic, and powerful, Origins blackhead solution combines bamboo charcoal with white China clay to flush out daily environmental toxins and wipe pores clean of grime. Men with dry, normal, and oily skin can minimize the look of their enlarged pores and do away with lackluster skin. Detoxify your face weekly - or every few days - and leave it with the soft touch she desires. $28 at Amazon.com Aztec Secret Indian Healing Pore Cleansing Clay Mask Used for acne, body wrapping, facials, foot soaks, and yes, clay baths, the Amazon Best Seller is an insanely powerful compound once mixed with equal parts of apple cider vinegar and/or water. It’s said to be incredibly effective in ridding the nose of sebaceous filaments and black/white heads. Over 11,000 Amazon reviewers will attest to this. $14.95 at Amazon.com Tata Harper Purifying Mask Tata Harper may have only launched her brand 10 years ago, but in that decade, she has formulated some of the biggest cult favorites in the skin care game. Whereas it’s hard to choose between the Purifying Mask and the Clarifying Mask (they are both good at what they do) the one we chose won out just slightly thanks to its ability to pull out impurities yielding more immediate results. Using potent ingredients such as kaolin, sweet prickly pear, and willow bark extract to detoxify skin and purge clogged pores.   $75 at Amazon.com Exfoliators Facial cleansers are formulated to clean the face without drying it or producing oiliness and are used daily. Exfoliators on the other hand contain microbeads or small grains to scrub away dead skin cells and share a weekly usage rate. But the difference in comparison is a little deeper than that. Exfoliators aid in the natural shedding process of skin and stimulates healthier results. Blockage of acne. Smaller pores. Wrinkle reduction. The works. AcneFree Blackhead Removing Exfoliating Face Scrub Jojoba and charcoal scrub and detoxify skin, but once the maximum dose of salicylic acid is added to the gently foaming formula, it really switches into high gear. The deep cleaning skin-friendly acid purges grit and grime to keep blackheads at bay by penetrating pores and dissolving dead skin cells. You can use it once a week or everyday, and if you really suffer from sebum blockage, you can even use it with one of the purifying masks on our list.  $8.99 at Amazon.com St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Face Scrub St. Ives offers a stalwart blackhead remover that supersedes expectations with killer scrub action that unclogs pores and evens skin tone, at a fraction of a price mind you. Take in 100% natural exfoliants spearheaded by green tea extract and salicylic acid to moderately buff off facial muck, clear up acne and blackheads, and work against it all coming back. $5.09 at Amazon.com Pore Strips These cosmetic nose band-aids are either hit or miss depending on the severity of your condition. The adhesive binds onto any present debris and successfully removes it once the strip is ripped off. Men with sensitive skin should use precautions because strips can cause irritation. It should also be noted that whereas you will get some satisfying blackheads on those strips, a lot of what you will likely see are those sebaceous filaments we were talking about earlier. RELATED: Best Exfoliating Face Scrubs Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips Bioré warrants the most credit for launching the product category. And its vast collection of pore strips continues to service blackhead-prone men. This version comes hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested to ensure sanitary results. Minimize pores by extracting built-up dirt and oil with aid from the brand’s potent Deep Cleansing formula. Get creative by cutting the strip to tackle the brow and chin areas too. $17.99 for 4 at Amazon.com Peace Out Pore Treatment Strips Peace Out is one of the newest skin care brands on the block, boy boy oh boy did it make a splash. After selling through its Peace Out Acne patches, it only made sense to give the people more of what they wanted - the clearest skin possible. Unlike other strips in the game, these are meant to be worn overnight thanks to the hydrocolloid polymer technology behind the strip, which absorbs sebum, oil, and dead skin trapped within pores. Add to that dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) and vitamin A to minimize and refine the appearance of pores and you have a pore strip you don’t have to rip to see results.  $19 at PeaceOutSkinCare.com LivaClean Charcoal Pore Strips These deep-cleansing charcoal strips are easy to apply and (relatively) painless to remove, but most importantly, they're effective. Just warm up your face with hot water or a warm face cloth to open up your pores, pat your skin dry and then apply the strip to the desired area; next, wait 15 minutes and remove the strip, and you'll see just how effective it was. $12.99 at Amazon.com Tools All those Neutrogena ads have you petrified of multi-step blackhead treatments. Your self-consciousness is saying, “Wait, if it takes more than one product or maybe the aid of grooming devices to fix my face, something must be seriously wrong.” Quit being so sensitive. If anything, cleansing kits dig deeper into the problem to cure it.  Foreo Luna 3 for Men A sonic-cleansing tool with multiple skincare purposes, the Luna 3 from Foreo is engineered to clear up your moneymaker with soft silicone bristles that sonically sweep away dirt, oil, and sweat. The brush head clears out practically all of the blackhead-causing grime from your pores without damaging any skin. Use it every day with a great salicylic acid or tea tree oil cleanser to really deliver some noticeable results.  $164.50 at Foreo.com Dermaflash Dermapore Ultrasonic Pore Extractor Oh this is fun. If your everyday routine needs a boost or you have the desire to really see some gooey, greasy goodness come out of your pores, Dermaflash is your next favorite tool. But that’s not all this tingly tool does. It has a second setting to actually deliver all those expensive (or at least quality) products your slathering on your face even better than with your hands alone. The rounded spatula shape is perfect for fitting into tight spaces around your nose to deeply clean, refine pores, and the best part ... extracts blackheads. The water resistant, rechargeable device is made from a water-resistant silicone which means it’s safe for the shower and is recommended for use three times a week (but chances are, you’ll want to use it way more than that). $109 at Dermstore.com Dr. Pimple Popper Comedone Extractor Warning: If you don’t follow directions with this tool, it can result in bruising and irritation. However, if you use it correctly, it is guaranteed to result in some satisfying blackhead bursting. Made famous by board-certified dermatologist Sandra Lee (A.K.A. Dr. Pimple Popper), this tool is intended for use only when other methods of blackhead extraction just won’t do. Apply a warm, wet towel to the area for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen all that gunk up (which will minimize the chances of damage to the skin) and apply even pressure to the tool at the site. We recommend watching some videos of the Dr. herself to see exactly how it’s done.  $20 at DrPimplePopper.com Targeted Blackhead Treatment Sometimes you gotta bring in the big guns, and by big guns, we mean some serious targeted treatments designed to kick that obnoxious sebaceous gland, clogged pore, blackhead, pimple - whatever the sebaceous situation might be. As the category suggests, these are more unique to your specific problem, so make sure you get the right treatment your particular issue.   Differin Gel Once only available by prescription from a dermatologist, Differin gel is a retinoid gel now available right here on the internet. What does the OG doctor-approved acne treatment do? It starts by penetrating deep down into the skin's pores to clear out and prevent new breakouts. By stabilizing skin cell turnover, the active retinol ingredient adapalene balances out skin by getting rid of acne and keeping your natural oil under control, preventing the likelihood of future clogged pores. What’s more? This formula is Water based, oil, alcohol, and fragrance free.  $14.99 at Amazon.com Mario Badescu Silver Powder A little dab'll do ya with this silver power from Mario Badescu. Seriously, one container can last you just about forever if you play your cards right. Intended for stubborn blackheads and clogged pores, this concoction of calcium carbonate, kaolin clay, and titanium dioxide are the holy trinity when it comes to oil absorption. Pro tip: the directions suggest dipping a moist cotton ball into the container. We recommend tapping out a little in the cap and adding a little water to make a paste. You’ll prevent waste - promise.   $12 at Amazon.com Toners Farmacy Deep Sweep Farmacy may not be on your pharmacy shelves just yet, but this little brand that could is killing it when it comes to skin health. (And by killing it, we don’t mean animals or the earth, since it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and comes in a fully recyclable glass jar.) This lightweight 2% beta hydroxy acid (BHA) watery toner is alcohol-free yet super effective in clearing skin and cleaning a clogged oil gland. The classic BHA salicylic acid cleans pores and draws out excess oil while moringa seed extract and moringa water purify skin by removing pollution-caused impurities. The final touch is papaya enzyme which gently exfoliates helping keep your skin so fresh and so green clean. $17 at Amazon.com Youth to the People Kombucha + 10% Power AHA Exfoliant If 10% doesn’t seem like enough for your particular skin type (or if your blackheads drive quite a hard bargain) adding an extra drop to make it an even 11% might just do the trick. Made from 8% lactic acid and 3% glycolic acid, this overnight toning treatment is designed to chemically resurface to revitalize skin. Adding to the skin-friendly acid blend is kombucha black tea ferment pichia lysate (or tree bark) ferment which helps support the skin’s natural microbiome and defend against oxidative damage. Really, this tingly toner is a win-win for your skin-skin. Just be sure you don't layer on a strong retinoid or even and lighter retinol moisturizer on after. Too much acid could give your skin a really bad trip. Leave the chemical peel to the dermatologist. $42 at Amazon.com You Might Also Dig: Best Shower Gels for Men Daily Skin Care Tips for Men Grooming Awards 2024: Best Face Care Products