ТOP 5 Cosmetic Ingredients to Get Rid of Blackheads

ТOP 5 Cosmetic Ingredients to Get Rid of Blackheads Comedones, also known as blackheads, are a common problem for people with oily or combination skin. Luckily, there are plenty of skincare products designed to eliminate comedones and prevent their recurrence. Check out our list of top 5 cosmetic ingredients to get rid of blackheads.

A comedo (the singular form of “comedones”) is a hair follicle clogged with skin debris (keratin) and skin oil (sebum). Comedones can be closed by skin (whiteheads) or open (blackheads). They are caused by increased oil production in the sebaceous glands and usually occur in the so-called T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), which tends to be oilier than the rest of the face.

The black colour of open comedones results from oxidation rather than poor hygiene: the skin pigment melanin reacts with oxygen in the air, making blackheads, well, black. Blackheads are generally non-inflammatory (unless you try to squeeze them out and get your skin infected in the process), but most people still want to get rid of them because they find blackheads aesthetically displeasing. The problem is, the fight against comedones can be literally endless.

The thing is, a lot of products that are marketed as “anti-blackhead” simply remove the outermost layer of the skin debris and oil that clog your hair follicles. Whatever is left in the pores begins to oxidise as soon as it comes in contact with air, resulting in new blackheads, and it just happens again and again.

So what can you do about this? How can you eliminate blackheads once and for all? You should opt for skincare products with special active ingredients, which not only thoroughly cleanse pores, but also normalise the production of sebum in the skin, preventing hair follicles from being clogged with excess skin oil and keratin debris. Here are give ingredients with proven efficiency that you should look for in anti-blackhead products.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is considered to be one of the best anti-blackhead and anti-acne ingredients. First, it penetrates deep into skin pores and effectively dissolves skin oil, providing a powerful cleansing effect. Second, the long-term use of salicylic acid helps to reduce sebum production and prevents the appearance of new blackheads. For a noticeable effect, the concentration of salicylic acid in a cosmetic product should be at least 0.5%; the ideal concentration is 1–2%. The pH level of the product matters, too; it must be acidic (between 3 and 4), otherwise the product will be less effective.

Zinc

Zinc and its compounds have a powerful antibacterial effect. This ingredient is added to anti-blackhead products to inhibit the growth of Cutibacterium acnes, a bacterium linked to acne. In addition, zinc helps to normalise sebum secretion, produces a mattifying effect, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Finally, it stimulates skin regeneration, restores the skin’s natural elasticity and firmness, and deeply cleanses pores. Anti-blackhead products are usually formulated with zinc oxide; it is allowed in concentrations up to 25% when used in sunscreen, but its concentrations in anti-blackhead products are usually lower.

Charcoal

Charcoal is one of the best-marketed anti-blackhead ingredients, and this is for a reason. Due to its powerful absorbent properties, charcoal effectively cleanses pores of oil, dirt, dead skin cells and other impurities, making comedones disappear. However, it cannot ensure a long-term effect, therefore charcoal is usually combined with other active ingredients that complement and enhance its effect.

Cosmetic Clay

Cosmetic clays (kaolin, bentonite, fuller’s earth, and others), like charcoal, have pronounced absorbent properties and an ability to quickly eliminate blackheads. Unfortunately, clay has the same drawbacks as charcoal, too. It excellently absorbs oil and dirt, tightens pores and prevents oily shine, but its effect doesn’t last very long. So clay needs to be combined with seboregulating ingredients, which normalise the production of skin oil and prevent the reappearance of comedones.

Herbal Extracts

Active ingredients that are effective against open comedones include a number of herbal extracts, such as green tea extract, aloe vera extract, witch-hazel (hamamelis) extract, papaya extract, and some others. They have cleansing, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, seboregulating and exfoliating properties, which makes them great anti-blackhead ingredients.

Skincare products with anti-blackhead ingredients come in different forms, including, but not limited to, various types of face masks, cleansers, scrubs and peels, toners, moisturisers, etc. It can be difficult to choose the best products from everything manufacturers are throwing at you, but if you follow a few simple rules, the task will become significantly easier.

If you have oily skin, you need to invest in a whole set of anti-blackhead products (facial cleanser, toner, moisturiser, scrub, a couple of masks) and use them regularly. If you have combination skin, a cleanser, a toner and a mask for the T-zone will be enough. If your skin is dry and sensitive, you need a spot treatment and a light, non-comedogenic moisturiser.

In our online shop Organic Store, you will find natural and organic anti-blackhead products for all skin types produced by trustworthy brands. At Organic Store, we offer affordable prices, convenient and secure payment methods, and international delivery to most parts of the world.