Whiteheads and blackheads are two of the most common yet annoying blemishes. Although there are many medications you can buy that market themselves as being able to remove these blemishes, they don’t always work, mostly because people don’t know the truth about what they’re targeting. That’s why this article will review the difference between whiteheads and blackheads and what to do about them.
What Are Whiteheads?
Whiteheads typically form when a sebaceous gland becomes irritated and inflamed. Usually, this happens because dead skin becomes trapped, and excess sebum attempts to push it out. They can also occur due to an excess of sebum or an increased presence of dirt and bacteria on your skin. However, part of what makes them so frustrating is that whiteheads are closed, meaning that a thin layer of skin over them makes it harder for acne medication to get through.
What Are Blackheads?
Although whiteheads and blackheads form for the same reason, blackheads are open. Because of this, the melanin in the dead skin cells and oil oxidize when exposed to the air and turn dark, hence the name blackhead. With blackheads, the skin has ruptured, and the skin cells are trying to heal, which is why the pore remains open. Some would argue that blackheads are the easier of the two to get rid of as the skin is already trying to heal, and the pore is open, allowing treatment to penetrate deeper.
What Do I Do About Them?
Because blackheads and whiteheads are both clogged pores, you can treat them with the same medication—salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. If you want, you can steam your face to open your pores before you start cleansing. Although you may not want to apply moisturizer for fear that your skin will become oilier, this is far from the truth.
Dry skin can cause dead skin to fall into pores, and your skin may produce more oil to overcompensate. Although this is one of the most common misconceptions about face oil, it won’t clog your pores. Your pores will thank you, which will help reduce the number of whiteheads and blackheads on your face. A high-quality moisturizer and face oil can help hydrate dry skin and reduce the amount of oil produced in oily skin. Ultimately, the less oil and dead skin trapped in your pores, the better.
Knowing the difference between whiteheads and blackheads will help you better understand your skin and how to get rid of these pesky blemishes for good.
