Blackheads are one of the most pesky forms of acne to treat — they’re dark, they show up in multiple places on the face, and they’re formed deep in the skin. But what exactly is a blackhead, and why doesn’t it look like other forms of acne?
“A blackhead refers to a blocked pore — we all have pores, or tiny channels in our skin from which our skin cells regenerate,” explains Dr. Kiran Mian, DO, FAAD, a board-certified medical and aesthetic dermatologist in New York City. “Sometimes the keratin that makes up our skin cells gets too sticky and causes clogging in our pores.” Debris at the opening of this channel can also cause blockage, and this leads to the formation of a comedone, another name for the bumps that then appear on your face.
A blackhead is an open comedone, one that is open to the surface and oxidizes, turning dark, hence the name. (Fun fact: A closed comedone is one that remains closed at the skin's surface and stays white, so it's known as a whitehead).
“Essentially, both of these structures represent a clogged skin channel, appearing as tiny bumps on the skin,” explains Mian. “Our oil glands are located at the base of our pores, and when there is a blockage (a black or whitehead), sebum and oil cannot be released, and this leads to inflammation or the further formation of a zit or pimple.”
How to remove blackheads | What to look for | Best budget | Best overall | Best for nose blackheads | Best for deep blackheads | Best for sensitive skin | Best exfoliant | Best face wash | Best mask | Best pimple patch | Best scrub | How we chose | Meet the experts
How do I remove blackheads?
A blackhead can be removed or extracted from the skin, but this should be done gently — and ideally by a professional.
“A dermatologist or esthetician can use a sterile needle to loosen the debris, and then apply gentle downward pressure using a comedone extractor, to express the material within the clogged pore,” suggests Mian. “This removes the blackhead, and hopefully causes little to no trauma on the skin.”
That being said, sometimes a visit to a professional isn’t all that accessible. Below, we’ve asked two dermatologists for their top-recommended products to remove blackheads when you can’t make it to a dermatologist's office.
What to look for in a blackhead treatment
When shopping for products to help remove blackheads, Dr. Ariel Ostad, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City, suggests looking for anything that contains salicylic acid and glycolic acid. “You should avoid heavy moisturizers, because this can clog your pores and make it worse,” he adds.
Best budget blackhead remover
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Helps get rid of fine lines and wrinkles
- Super smooth on skin
- May be sticky
Key ingredients: Retinol, ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1 oz. | Best for: All skin types (especially sensitive), anti-aging, improving texture
A great budget buy that’s widely available everywhere, this retinol serum works to clear pores while offering anti-aging benefits, too. “One of my favorite over-the-counter retinoids is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum,” explains Mian. “Retinoids help to make our skin cells less sticky to prevent comedone formation.”
While this CeraVe pick does a great job of clearing pores and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, it can be irritating to some. If you are new to retinoids, we recommend using this product a few times a week per night, then switching to every other night (or nightly) once your skin adjusts to the retinoid.
Best overall blackhead remover
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment
- Helps prevent acne
- Good for sensitive skin
- May cause burning
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide | Size: 1 oz. | Best for: Acne-prone skin, oily skin, combination skin, acne scars, exfoliation, refining pores
One of the best ingredients that works to clear pores and fight blackheads is salicylic acid. The star ingredient in this La Roche-Posay pick, salicylic acid has been proven to get deep into the pores and prevent acne from forming.
Mian recommends the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment to her patients because it’s effective, non-drying and can be used on problem areas or the whole face.
“Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that is a bit larger in structure,” explains Mian. “These chemical exfoliants help to clear dead skin cells and debris at the surface of our pores, preventing further blackhead formation.”
Best skin care product for nose blackheads
Bioré Original Blackhead Remover Strips
- Great at clearing pores around nose
- Some reviewers had issues with strips not sticking to skin
Key ingredients: Glycerin, polymer | Size: 14 strips | Best for: Deep cleansing, normal skin
We can't talk about blackhead removers without including pore strips. This pick from Bioré works deep in the skin to unclog pores and physically remove blackheads at the root. Ostad recommends Bioré's Original Blackhead Remover Strips to his patients because they are gentle yet effective in removing blackheads from your nose area.
Some folks are not huge fans of blackhead remover strips because they can be irritating. Always make sure that you are applying these strips to wet skin (and only on your nose). It’s advised to not use them on red acne blemishes, sunburns, super dry skin or skin prone to spider veins.
Best skin care product for deep blackheads
Charlotte Tilbury Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial Treatment
- Pleasant smell
- Helps reduce pores
- Very gentle
- Pricey
Key ingredients: AHA, BHA and PHA acid blend; polyglutamic acid | Size: 1.6 oz. | Best for: Dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, pores
Deep blackheads call for some extra heavy lifting. This pick from Charlotte Tilbury features multiple ingredients to help get deep into the pores and remove blackheads at the root. Dr. Jeannette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, recommends this pick to her patients.
“This is a potent mask that resurfaces the skin, leaving it clearer and radiant,” Graf explains. “Formulated with 15% AHA, BHA, PHA and other exfoliators, this facial will get deep into pores and purify them of sebum, oil and dead skin cells that lead to blackheads.”
The formula features star-studded ingredients to help keep skin clear, but it definitely comes at a price — this treatment is $70 per tube (at time of publish). But, it’s a luxury skin care item that delivers, according to reviews.
Best blackhead remover for sensitive skin
Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Clearing Serum
- Helps get rid of acne
- Very gentle
- Pricey
Key ingredients: Mandelic acid, hyaluronic acid, panthenol | Size: 1 oz. | Best for: Acne-prone skin, dry skin, discoloration, fine lines
Celebrity esthetician Sofie Pavitt created this serum, which targets acne and is formulated specifically for sensitive skin. The Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Clearing Serum features mandelic acid, which is a gentler alpha hydroxy acid and penetrates into the skin more slowly than other more aggressive acids. Because of this, it’s ideal for folks with sensitive skin who have blackheads and acne but can’t tolerate most acids.
Mandelic acid is the star ingredient in this formula, but it also features hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing panthenol to address dryness and redness.
Best exfoliant for blackheads
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
- Good for sensitive skin
- Super soft
- Can be strong
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, BHA, green tea | Size: 4 oz. | Best for: All skin types, exfoliating
The Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is the brand’s bestselling product, and for good reason — it really works. This formula is beloved by many customers and dermatologists for its stellar ingredient list, including 2% salicylic acid, antioxidant-rich green tea and hydrating methylpropanediol.
Both Ostad and Mian recommend this pick from Paula’s Choice for their patients with blackheads. “It is gentle yet effective in removing blackheads and contains ingredients like salicylic acid to penetrate deep into the pores,” explains Ostad.
Best face wash for managing blackheads
IMAGE Skincare CLEAR CELL Salicylic Gel Cleanser
- Helps keep skin clear
- Good for sensitive skin
- Mixed reviews on performance
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid | Size: 6 oz. | Best for: Acne-prone skin, exfoliating
If you want to prevent blackheads from forming in the first place, look for a cleanser that contains salicylic acid. Graf loves recommending the Image Skincare Clear Cell Salicylic Gel Cleanser to her patients.
“For a cleanser option, I like this product because it includes 2% salicylic acid, which is a hero ingredient for fighting blackheads,” Graf explains. “It gently exfoliates pores, leaving the skin clear and glowing.”
Best mask for removing blackheads
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Blemish Solutions Clarifying Mask
- Quick results
- Smell may be strong
Key ingredients: Colloidal sulfur | Size: 1 oz. | Best for: Acne-prone skin, oil control
The Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Blemish Solutions Clarifying Mask is a great product to help folks with acne maintain their glow and clear their pores. Mian recommends this pick to her patients as a great mask to use weekly.
“Clarifying face masks can be very helpful in removing blackheads,” explains Mian. “I like Dennis Gross Blemish Solutions Clarifying Mask, as it has anti-inflammatory colloidal sulfur, as well as acne-fighting ingredients (like bentonite and kaolin clay).”
Best pimple patch for removing blackheads
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Nose
- Helps minimize pores
- May irritate sensitive skin
Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Size: 10 patches | Best for: Nose blackheads
Applying a pimple patch to your blackheads is a gentler approach to treating this type of acne.
“Pimple patches are one of my favorite tools for blackheads — picking at a blackhead to extract it is not good, as it causes more inflammation, scarring and discoloration,” says Mian. “Applying a pimple patch over your zit will not only prevent you from picking at it, but will pull the impurities out gently, allowing it to heal.”
We love this pick from Hero Cosmetics because it’s a perfect fit for your nose. Plus, they have a bunch of various sizes and shapes that you can choose from to apply to whichever area of your face you experience blackheads the most.
Best facial scrub for removing blackheads
Tula So Poreless Deep Exfoliating Scrub
- Not harsh on skin
- Small amount of product for price
Key ingredients: Probiotics, volcanic sand, witch hazel | Size: 2.89 oz. | Best for: Exfoliating pores
The Tula So Poreless Deep Exfoliating Scrub is a great addition to your blackhead-fighting lineup because it uses both chemical and physical exfoliation to clear pores and gently slough off dead skin. Thanks to ingredients like probiotic extracts, volcanic sand and witch hazel, this formula will smooth, exfoliate and purify — and it'll minimize the appearance of large pores, too.
It’s not advised to use a face scrub everyday; you can use this pick in your skincare routine about two to three times per week to remove blackheads and keep skin clear.
How we chose the best blackhead removers
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best blackhead removers by enlisting the recommendations and expert insights from three board-certified dermatologists. We also conducted general market research by reading through hundreds of verified shopper reviews.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Jeannette Graf, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. She is also a product developer with her own skin care line.
- Dr. Kiran Mian, DO, FAAD, is a board-certified medical and aesthetic dermatologist in New York City. She takes a holistic approach and practices boutique-style medicine from a multispecialty clinic in Manhattan.
- Dr. Ariel Ostad, MD, is a triple-board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon based in New York City. He specializes in Mohs surgery, skin renewal and repair, and more.
