Best Blackhead Remover: Learn How To Get Rid Of Blackheads

Some days it seems that the act of ridding ourselves of blackheads is all-consuming. The worst offenders, those on our faces, send us scrabbling through the medicine cabinets for a hoped-for miracle quick fix.

Blackheads are pores plugged with oil and dead skin cells that stay open at the surface. NIAMS explains that the plug looks dark because air darkens the oil, not because of dirt. Whiteheads are the closed version, under the skin.

You may see this explained backward elsewhere, for example as opposed to whiteheads, where the pores stay open, but blackheads are the open type.

Blackheads aren’t caused by dirt or not washing enough. Hormones, oily skin and genes all play a role.

Over-the-counter acne ingredients such as salicylic acid, adapalene and benzoyl peroxide have the best evidence, and they can take 6 to 8 weeks to work. I’ve done the research on the absolute best tools and products to add to your daily regimen in the fight against blackheads.

We’ve got a variety of them at our disposal; facial brushes, essential oils, extractors, and many others. Whatever needs are on your checklist, there's something out there for you!

I’ve divided the information into categories so that you can easily find the best of your favourite tool with ease. I’ve also listed a few pros and cons for you to consider.

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The Method - Facial Brush

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One way to get rid of blackheads is with a facial brush; it exfoliates the skin, clearing away dead cells and leaving only fresh, new skin behind.

You control how hard you press, which matters, because scrubbing too hard can make acne worse. Use light pressure and don't use a brush on inflamed pimples.

It’s easy to store, either tuck in into a drawer by the bathroom sink, or hang it nearby so that it dries after each use.

You can also have a special place out in the open on a shelf (also where it will easily dry off and be ready for next time) as most are attractive enough to display.

They’re simple to keep clean; just make sure you rinse after each use and every so often take a little soap to gently rub into the bristles, rinsing away the residue afterwards.

Specifically…

How do you get rid of blackheads? According to Beaute La Royale, this facial brush is the first step in getting rid of those pesky and awkward blemishes.

Their Waterproof Facial Brush Cleansing System – made for both face and body – is a 6 in 1 cleansing kit!

It includes not one but two brushes; one for your face and a larger one for your body, both which fit into a lovely storage bag (included).

The rotating brush helps remove makeup and residue at the end of the day, and gentle exfoliation may help keep pores clearer.

It won't erase wrinkles. Clean the brush heads often and replace them as the maker directs.

Pros and Cons

The brush is a gentle tool when used lightly, and, after a day of being exposed to makeup, heavy lotions, sun damage, wind, and everything else we throw at it, our skin deserves a break! After all, wouldn’t we all love a massage at the end of the day?

It's a simple addition to your routine and feels nice. Use it a few times a week rather than daily if your skin gets red. A con is that the unit operates on batteries, so you'll have to ensure you have a supply on hand for quick changes. (Although it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you had to manually brush your skin if you ran out mid way through your skin care routine).

In Summary..

Would I recommend the Beaute La Royale’s facial brush? Yes, as a gentle cleansing tool. Pair it with a proven blackhead ingredient like salicylic acid for better results.

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The Method - Facial Steamer

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When I think of facial steamers it makes me think of a spa-like treatment – a peaceful, quiet moment where I can just sit and enjoy that warm humidity on my skin. Steam feels relaxing and softens the skin. It doesn't actually open and close pores, and it won't clear blackheads on its own.

Keep sessions short, keep your face at a safe distance to avoid burns, and skip steam if you have rosacea or very sensitive skin. Don't scrub hard afterward.

Specifically...

When you think facial steamer, you might picture a big, clunky machine that takes up a lot of space and doesn’t store well.

While that may be true of some products, the NanoSteamer by Pure takes those issues right out of the equation. Despite the fact that it’s big on power, it’s small in stature and won’t take up a lot of room.

The maker says it uses ultrasonic vaporization to make a fine, ionic steam. We couldn't find good evidence that ionic steam works better for skin than ordinary steam.

It doubles as a humidifier and can warm towels. The maker lists a 200 ml tank and quiet operation.

Pros and Cons

A con is that steam doesn't remove blackheads by itself.

The NanoSteamer comes with extraction tools, but squeezing or picking can cause infection and scarring, as MedlinePlus warns. Extractions are best left to a dermatologist.

The main pro is that it's relaxing.

That I can also use it as a great little humidifier is just a bonus. I love that it can warm my towels – using them after a steam is like my own piece of heaven.

In Summary...

The NanoSteamer is a nice spa-style treat. Steam can bother sensitive skin and rosacea, so start with short sessions. Use distilled water if the maker recommends it, and clean the tank to keep mold from growing.

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The Method - Facial Extractor

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Comedone extractors are metal tools with a small loop that presses on the skin around a blackhead.

A word of caution: dermatologists generally advise against extracting at home. MedlinePlus warns that squeezing or picking at pimples can cause infection and scarring. If you use one, never use it on red, swollen or painful pimples.

Most times you buy extractor “kits” which provide you with a few different ways of extracting blackheads so you can determine which tool works best for which area of your face, and blemish size, shape and depth.

Specifically...

The best blackhead remover in this category is the Bestope, by Taythi. You won’t need to head to a salon with these tools tucked in your bathroom drawer.

The tools are stainless steel. Wipe them with rubbing alcohol before and after each use, and wash your face and hands first.

They have anti-slip handles for better control. Press gently, and stop if a blackhead doesn't come out easily. This set of tools include their own tin carrying case so you can be sure they’re all together, safe and clean when you need to use them.

In Summary...

If you decide to extract blackheads at home, go slowly and gently and don't do it daily. Pressing too hard can bruise the skin, push the plug deeper and leave marks.

A dermatologist can do extractions safely and prescribe treatments that keep blackheads from coming back.

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The Method - Face Mask

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A face mask is a relaxing way to soak up surface oil and leave skin feeling smoother.

You can find many natural products on the market if you’re looking for something chemical free, and these days there are always cruelty-free options as well. It ranks as one of the best blackhead removers as it just sits, dries and tightens, and then you rinse it all away.

Many people look for options that will not only pull away impurities, but also add wonderful elements to their skin in return.

Specifically...

When asked how to remove a blackhead, I’ve steered people towards the Dead Sea Mud Mask by Aria Starr Beauty.

Mud masks absorb oil and can leave skin feeling clean. Dead Sea mud contains minerals such as magnesium, calcium and potassium. Claims that it "detoxifies" skin or prevents wrinkles aren't backed by good evidence.

You'll find 100% natural shea butter in the recipe, along with jojoba oil and aloe vera, all of which improve the smooth and supple feel of our skin. And this product smells great!

Pros and Cons

This is yet another pain free and easy way on the road to clear skin! This mud mask does so many great things to your skin – normally we’d have separate products for exfoliating, cleaning and moisturizing, but this mask includes it all in one simple jar.

It's easy to use. Don't expect it to clear blackheads on its own. One con could be clean up. If you’re not careful you can make a real mess of your sink and even splash onto the walls and mirror.

It’s nice to have wipes on hand to get whatever mud is left after rinsing. There’s the risk of coming too close to your eyes – just be extra careful of where you’re massaging the product into your skin.

In Summary...

I like a good mud mask. One that lends a simple answer to “how to get rid of blackheads” is a big bonus to a method that already has the benefit of making skin baby soft.

It’s a relaxing part of your beauty routine and takes no special skills. Some people lean towards a peel off mask, but I prefer one that I can simply rinse or wipe off; it avoids pulling out little hairs by your hairline that sometimes get caught up in the mask.

If you’re looking for a great product that smells nice and does what it says it’ll do, give this Dead Sea Mud Mask a whirl. In fact, invite some friends over and make a mud mask night of it!

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The Method - Face Scrub

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Facial scrubs just plain feel good. We can scoop the scrub from the jar, and give our faces a little massage while exfoliating away all of that daytime yuck that we have collected. It leaves our skin underneath feeling fresh and about as clean as it can possibly be.

It’s also a great way to get any extra makeup off that our remover may have left behind. For men, facial scrubs can be a great way to get down into hair-covered areas – just scrub a little harder with fingertips and you’ll get the same outcome as if you’d been freshly shaved.

Go gently, though. MedlinePlus notes that scrubbing your skin can make acne worse, so harsh scrubs aren't a good fit for acne-prone skin.

Specifically..

Most of us stagger to the coffee pot every morning for a liquid shot of “get me through the day”, but how many of you have tried the same grinds on your face?

You don’t have to save your used grounds to get the benefits – 100% Natural Arabica Coffee Scrub by Botany Cosmeceuticals has done all of the work for you!

These Arabica grounds are mixed with organic coconut oil as a carrier and dead sea salt for a winning combination.

The oil moisturizes, and the grounds exfoliate. It won't remove cellulite or erase wrinkles or sun spots, whatever coffee scrub marketing says.

Coconut oil can clog pores in acne-prone skin, so this scrub may suit the body better than an oily face.

Pros and Cons

As I said above, using a scrub just plain feels good. This one smells divine and is a pleasure to use on my face; giving me just enough of a scrub to leave nice, soft skin behind.

It has many natural ingredients, using what nature has to offer wrapped into a really great product. A con for any facial scrub might be the level of abrasiveness.

You can control this to some extent – massaging a little less vigorously than some of us will. Someone with sensitive skin might opt out of this method as it might be an irritant.

Alternatively, if you really want to try this product, use a little less, be gentle when massaging, and don't use it daily.

Another con is that a scrub doesn't treat blackheads the way salicylic acid or adapalene can.

In Summary..

I love my coffee...to have that wonderful thing both steaming in my mug and as a scrub as part of my morning routine just doubles the pleasure. This scrub smells great and leaves skin feeling soft.

If you want a natural scrub, it's a pleasant choice. Use it once or twice a week, gently, rather than every day.

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The Method - Facial Cleanser

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Facial cleanser is a pretty popular product when we’re talking beauty routine. It’s likely the most commonly used product as part of our morning routine, and again right before we turn in for the night.

Facial cleanser is typically the first thing people turn to when looking for the best blackhead treatment.

Gentle washing once or twice a day, and after sweating, is a good base for any acne routine.

Cleanser is easy to use, is usually conveniently packaged into one simple jar or tube, and is a one step process.

It helps us feel fresher and is specially formulated for the skin on our faces or more versatility launched as face and body, so you can pick which one suits you best.

Most of us have used cleanser at one time or another, but are you using the best one on the market?

Specifically..

An absolutely beautiful product available from a trusted company that you've got to add to your routine is the Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser by Biore. This formula includes salicylic acid, a proven blackhead-fighting ingredient. Older versions used plastic micro-beads, which the Microbead-Free Waters Act phased out of U.S. rinse-off cosmetics by 2018, so check the current ingredient list.

The warming feel is pleasant, but it doesn't open pores, and a cool rinse doesn't close them. The salicylic acid is what does the work.

Salicylic acid can dry or irritate some skin, so start with once a day.

Pros and Cons

The pros to this one are that it contains a proven blackhead ingredient and is easy to find. The warming sensation is pleasant.

A con to this product is that not all of the ingredients are natural, so you’re not getting a chemical free product if that’s your priority.

Although not generally thought of as harsh in these proportions, and an ingredient in most face cleansers, some people will be sensitive to the salicylic acid component. Always spot check first – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

In Summary..

There are so many products out there that it’s nice to recognize a company name and the quality behind it. Many people can use this cleanser once or twice a day. Give it 6 to 8 weeks to judge results.

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The Method - Facial Soap

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Another well recognized product is facial soap, and I don’t know any household that doesn’t use it in some way, shape or form. Facial soap has been around for decades (before that soap was less specific, and expected to be used on the whole body.) and there are as many scents, brands, and ingredients as you could ever care to explore.

No matter your priorities, there's a soap which is natural or chemically enhanced, scented or unscented, foaming or non-foaming, parcelled up like a present or simply enveloped in a cardboard wrapper. You can find facial soap that targets blemishes, moisturizes, deep cleans, and a variety of them that do all 3 and more!

With such a landslide of options, it can be hard to pick amongst them...fear not! I’ve got the best of the best below.

Specifically..

Safe House Naturals makes this choice easy with their 100% natural Charcoal and Aloe Vera Face and Body Wash. It's a face and body wash made for oily skin.

It includes several essential oils, such as tea tree, clary sage and frankincense. NCCIH says tea tree oil might be helpful for acne, but more evidence is needed. Essential oils can also irritate sensitive skin.

Charcoal and bentonite clay absorb oil; they don't pull "toxins" from the skin. Aloe vera is soothing for many people.

The brand markets it as cruelty-free and organic, and it has a mild sweet smell.

Pros and Cons

Because this soap has a nice mild scent, it won’t overpower you once it’s rinsed away like some perfumed versions do.

It includes ingredients that are gentle on skin, and the fact that the company cares about both the environment and the humane treatment of animals speaks volumes to a lot of people.

It's a gentle wash for oily skin, though it lacks a proven blackhead ingredient like salicylic acid.

A con is that, because it’s a gentle soap, some people will feel as if it’s not stripping away enough oil from their skin. Those used to more harsh and chemical ingredients may consider this soap not strong enough to do the job.

In Summary..

I like natural ingredients, and it’s not good for your skin to have all of its natural oils stripped away, so this soap fits exactly what I like in a product. It has a great lather and will make your face feel clean and soft after use. Try it in your fight for clear skin!

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The Method - Oil For Face

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The use of oils has been around for centuries. Ancient societies knew and understood the benefits of different oils for different purposes, and luckily that knowledge has been passed down to us.

Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties, and a small amount of research suggests it might help acne. NCCIH says more evidence is needed.

Never swallow tea tree oil; NCCIH warns it can cause serious symptoms such as confusion and loss of muscle control. Keep it away from children and pets.

Specifically..

If you’re looking for the perfect oil for blackhead treatment, look no further than Tea Tree Essential Oil by Radha Beauty. It's sold undiluted, so always dilute it before it touches your skin. "Therapeutic grade" is a marketing term, not a regulated standard.

The maker says it is steam distilled with no fillers or additives.

To dilute before application, just mix with a little coconut oil (which adds benefits of its own anyway!) or your own favourite carrier oil (jojoba or a virgin olive oil would be two other fantastic options).

Heavier oils like coconut can clog pores, so a light carrier such as jojoba may suit acne-prone skin better. Don't put tea tree oil on irritated or broken skin; NCCIH notes it can cause redness and irritation, and old oil exposed to air may be more likely to do so.

Pros and Cons

A pro is that you control the dilution. Patch-test the diluted oil on your arm for a day or two before using it on your face.

A couple of cons: some people find the smell very strong, and the evidence for tea tree oil is weaker than for standard acne ingredients.

In Summary..

This is a simple, single-ingredient oil. It's not a detoxifier, and it works best as a small, diluted part of a routine, not the main treatment.

This brand also offers a handy dropper, so you won’t have to worry about spilling it or over pouring when you're mixing it with your other oils. Just take the dropper and use it to get that perfect amount every time, with no waste.

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And That’s a Wrap, Folks!

And there it is! A guide to popular blackhead tools and products. Brushes, masks, steamers and scrubs can make skin feel cleaner, but the ingredients with the best evidence are salicylic acid, adapalene and benzoyl peroxide.

Give one proven product 6 to 8 weeks before switching. Combining too many scrubs, acids and tools at once usually leads to irritation, not faster results.

Avoid squeezing, and see a dermatologist if blackheads are widespread, you have painful pimples, or nothing has helped after a few months.

Experiment with different amounts, or even with how often you use the products, and always stop immediately if your skin gets irritated or shows signs of inflammation or infection.In the meantime, track down your favorite from this list and get on the road to beautiful skin!

Sources

• Acne Types, Causes, & Risk Factors, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
• Acne, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
• Tea Tree Oil: Usefulness and Safety, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• The Microbead-Free Waters Act: FAQs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration