Comedones: Treating and Preventing Blackheads and Whiteheads

Comedones, better known as blackheads and whiteheads, are a common skin condition. There are two general categories of comedones: closed comedones (whiteheads) and open comedones (blackheads). While each can be embarrassing, luckily, with proper hygiene and treatment using quality skin care products, your skin can and will look its clearest.


Hygiene and Prevention


The key to healthy, clear skin is a consistent regimen of face washing. While we all have our favorites, I have always had the best luck with a mild soap used once a day. Cetaphil seems to fit the bill nicely and, as an added bonus it is quite cheap (about $0.70 per ounce). Plus it is made by Galderma Laboratories, the manufacturer of the best-selling acne product Differin, so you know that it is optimized for acne prevention.


The next, more powerful hygiene routine for preventing comedones is salicylic acid application. You can find this chemical in almost any over the counter acne medication. I do not have a recommendation on this one: all of the major brands are pretty much the same. Just pick one that works the best for your skin.



The most powerful comedone prevention option out there (without a prescription) is Retin A. Retin A is chemically similar to Vitamin A and helps prevent blackheads and whiteheads by promoting greater cell turnover. In other words, dead skin cells are expelled faster, preventing them from clogging pores and causing blackheads. Now there are hundreds of Retin A or Retinol products on the market and they range in cost from $10 to almost $100.



Comedone Treatment



Over the counter acne medication is your first line of defense once comedones strike. I have yet to see a difference in performance between the inexpensive and expensive brands, so just go with the cheap stuff. You might also want tor try a retinol, as indicated above. I’ve had good luck with this Retinol Cream for $7.00.



First and foremost, do not pick, squeeze or pop comedones! At best, you will irritate and inflame your skin and only remove a portion of the pore clog. Either leave it alone, or use proper instruments. Blackhead extractors vary from the extravagant to the simple. Using these instruments help prevent inflammation and also more fully removed the pore plug.



Finally, to reduce the redness and inflammation that accompany comedones consider applying MyChelle Clear Skin Serum. It is a soothing, all-natural serum that also prevents future acne and comedones by cleansing oily pores and killing harmful bacteria.

Tagged as: Guides to Clear Pores, Large Pores