First things first, what causes blackheads? 

Both blackheads and whiteheads are formed in hair follicles where sebum (the skin’s naturally occurring lubricating oil) and dead skin cells become trapped. The excess flow of oil mixes with built-up dead cells that cannot be shed, creating a plug. This plug is then exposed to air, with oxidation turning it black.
 
Supposedly prevention is better than cure. What are your top tips for avoiding blackheads?

Gentle cleansing is key – harsh products or treatments can lead to irritation and pimples. Ironically, trying too hard to remove excess oil can result in skin over compensating and producing more oil. We suggest trying a cleanser containing salicylic acid to lift away impurities. Additionally, we urge you to be careful with harsh exfoliating scrubs, as these can irritate and worsen the condition.

What star ingredients should you look out for?

The most effective active ingredients are members of the retinoid family. They normalise the tendency for the cells to stick to each other, unclogging pores.

How do you bust existing blackheads?

Managing blackheads requires a strict skincare regime. Cleanse twice a day, morning and evening before bed to remove all traces of make-up and any impurities that have built up during the day.

Look for cleansers, exfoliators and acne products that contain salicylic and glycolic acid – or a combination of both. These ingredients will help to loosen the dead skin cells and oil that have built up in hair follicles.

Try products containing BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), which help exfoliate pores more effectively than those using AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), since they are fat-soluble and can therefore penetrate an oily environment more effectively.

Any professional treatment to recommend? 

Go for regular facial treatments tailored to your skin condition – look for options offering a gentle skin cleanse and manual extraction. Our deep exfoliation facial contains 2% salicylic acid that unclogs pores, lifts impurities & leaves your skin clean and hydrated. It will also help to decrease oil production without damaging skin’s top layer.