How to Prevent Blackheads: Blackheads Skincare Routine

Blackheads are a common type of spots that form on the skin when a pore is clogged with excess sebum and skin cells. They can appear anywhere on the face and are often found on the nose, cheeks and forehead. Let's learn more about what blackheads are, what causes them and how to follow a skincare routine that prevents them!

What are blackheads?

Blackheads appear as small bumps on the skin resulting from clogged hair follicles, and they have black or dark colour generally. They are considered a mild form of acne that surfaces especially on the nose and chin but can also develop on other areas like the neck, arms, back and shoulders. Blackheads form when the skin is clogged with dead skin cells or excess oil in the follicle's opening. Due to air exposure, the tiny bumps of clogged pores can look black, unlike when the bumps remain closed and form a whitehead instead.

What causes blackheads?

Blackheads are a type of acne vulgaris or hormonal acne, and their primary cause is oil overproduction. Oil overproduction by the sebaceous glands can occur during hormonal changes, like during puberty, menstruation or pregnancy. They can also form when dead skin cells do not shed regularly, leading to hair follicles irritation. Other causes of blackhead include a buildup of the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria on your skin or taking certain drugs like androgens or birth control pills.

How to prevent blackheads?

Blackheads can be treated after they appear with over-the-counter products and medications. If you have a constant problem with blackheads, you can get checked by a dermatologist or a specially trained skin care professional to get the needed treatment for blackheads. However, here is a skincare routine for blackheads to help you prevent them from coming back or appearing at all in the first place!

Skincare routine for blackheads prevention

Here are some tips on how to modify your skincare routine in a way that helps prevent blackheads from appearing:

Cleansing: Gentle face cleansing and washing your face twice daily is the first step to preventing most facial skin issues. Wash your face before you go to bed and first thing in the morning to avoid oil buildup, using a gentle facial cleanser. Try Johnson's® Fresh Hydration® Water Gel cleanser for best results without overdrying your skin.
Moisturization: All skin types need moisturization, be it dry or oily. Moisturize after cleansing your face using a light cream that contains SPF in the morning and a light formula night cream. For morning, use Johnson's® Fresh Hydration® Day Cream SPF 20's lightweight formula, which instantly absorbs into the skin. And at night, you can use Johnson's® Fresh Hydration® Night Cream.
Choose oil-free skincare products: Products that have high oil content can contribute to blackheads. If your skin is typically oily, try to use lighter facial creams and cleansers to avoid blackheads.
Use facial masks: Face masks can help unclog your pores, remove dead skin cells from your face and reduce blackheads. Try Johnson's® 1 Minute In-Shower Face Mask to refine your skin and help clear the pores without drying the skin.
Exfoliate: Regular exfoliation can be beneficial for blackheads since it helps remove excess dead skin cells that clog your pores. Look for a gentle exfoliator and avoid harsh scrubs if you have blackheads.
Washing your hair: If you have a very oily scalp and hair, try washing your hair every day to avoid it spreading oil to your face and leading to blackheads formation.
Washing your face: In addition to the recommended facial cleansing twice a day, wash your face if you eat oily foods that can clog pores around your mouth.
Never sleep with makeup on: Sleeping with makeup on can cause a lot of damage to your skin's appearance and health since it can clog pores and cause more than just blackheads. Make sure you remove your makeup using cleansing wipes like Johnson's® Oil Balancing Wipes and follow it up with washing your face to eliminate any makeup residue.

Finally, remember that taking care of your skin and following a simple skincare routine that involves cleansing and moisturizing can help you combat the most common skin issues. Proper cleansing will help you prevent blackheads by keeping your pores clean and not allowing blackheads to develop.