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Do you have clogged pores, milia, hormonal blemishes, food, stress or lifestyle related breakouts? Or, do you have full blown acne? Each of these situations needs to be addressed differently. The typical acne products out there tend to be way too drying and irritating and often only serves to increase acne breakouts. What kind of skin do you have and how has certain medications, treatments and products affected your skin?
HOW TO DEAL WITH BLACKHEADS
Don’t over dry your skin with typical acne products. Over drying only causes a hardened surface that traps in more dead cells and oxidized oil - which are the makings of a blackhead. Note: Blackheads are not dirt trapped in your pores but oil that has oxidized from being exposed to the air (the way air causes metal to rust). Of course you want to minimize products that contain oily ingredients that trap these open comedones in even more. So look for an oil free moisturizer. The best solution for blackheads is salicylic acid. This is a BHA (beta hydroxy acids) similar to an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) but because it is oil soluble it mixes in with the oil in your pores to loosen up and eventually dissolve the blackhead. Salicylic acid works best in a serum but you may also find it in toners. Along with a salicylic acid based serum you should consider a retinol. Retinols are bottom up exfoliants. That means after they penetrate the skin they speed up metabolism of cells. As new cells form they push older cells up and off your skin, leaving pores clearer. Finally, you should consider a Vitamin C serum for daytime use. Vitamin C brighten the skin to lighten pigmentation and blackheads. It does double duty as it protects your skin from oxidative damage that contributes to aging.