How to get rid of blackheads: what works

The quick ways to remove blackheads, such as squeezing, scrubbing and pore strips, give a short-term result, and medical sources link them to infection, scars and wider pores. The treatment dermatologists recommend is slower. It works from inside the pore, and it keeps working as long as you use it. This guide collects what the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the FDA, the NHS, NICE and published studies say about blackheads: what they are, the plan that clears them, the habits that keep them away, the methods to skip, and when to see a dermatologist. Skinli gives general education and is not a doctor. Each section links to a longer guide on that question.

What a blackhead is

A pore is the small opening of a hair follicle, the tube in the skin that holds a hair and an oil gland. The AAD says a blackhead "develops when excess oil and dead skin cells build up inside a pore. As the buildup accumulates, it widens the opening of the pore and you see a blackhead." Its medical name is "Open comedo, which means 'open pore.'"

The dark color is a chemical reaction. The AAD explains: "When the buildup inside the pore reacts with oxygen in the air, the black color appears. This reaction is similar to what happens when a cut-up apple turns brown." The NHS describes blackheads as "black and brown spots that are usually flat but may be raised." The FDA's rules for acne products define a blackhead as "a condition of the skin that occurs in acne and is characterized by a black tip."

A whitehead is the same plug under a closed top. The AAD calls it a closed comedo. Both are acne, even when you have no red pimples, and the AAD describes mild acne as "blackheads and whiteheads along with small pimples, or just small pimples." The guide blackheads vs whiteheads compares the two, and closed comedones covers the small closed bumps in detail.

Why blackheads form

Oil, dead skin cells, hormones and bacteria work together inside the pore. The AAD says hormones called androgens "increase the size of the skin's oil glands. These glands start making more oil, which can clog pores." MedlinePlus lists other triggers: hormonal changes, "greasy or oily cosmetic and hair products," certain medicines, "heavy sweating and humidity," and "excessively touching, resting on, or rubbing the skin." The AAD adds that smoking may play a role for some people, and that stress can make existing acne worse.

Knowing the cause helps you remove it. A new foundation, an oily hair product or a backpack strap can each keep clogging pores while you treat them. The guide what causes blackheads goes through every cause the sources name, with what to change for each.

Check what you are looking at

Some dark dots are something other than blackheads, and they need different care:

• Sebaceous filaments. A 1976 study in Archives of Dermatological Research described these as "cylindrical tubes of whitish-yellowish color" found most often on the sides of the nose, and called them "a common morphological variant of sebaceous follicles," meaning a normal form of oily pores. The guide sebaceous filaments explains them.
• One large plug. A single enlarged pore with a firm plug may be a dilated pore of Winer, which a doctor can remove.
• A lump with a dark center. The NHS says skin cysts "sometimes have a small, dark spot in the middle." These should not be squeezed.
• Small white bumps. These may be whiteheads or milia, covered in whiteheads on the nose.

The treatment plan dermatologists recommend

The AAD's page on acne types gives the plan for blackheads and whiteheads in three sentences: "To unclog pores, dermatologists recommend using a retinoid. You can buy one retinoid, adapalene, without a prescription. You'll also want to use a benzoyl peroxide wash."

The main U.S. guideline agrees. The 2024 acne guideline from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology makes "strong recommendations" for benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids, and conditional recommendations for salicylic acid and azelaic acid. The AAD explains that "Conditional recommendations apply to most patients, but the most appropriate action may differ depending on individual patient factors."

Step 1: a retinoid, such as adapalene

A retinoid is a medicine made from vitamin A. The AAD says a retinoid applied to the skin "works to clear your pores, and can treat blackheads, whiteheads, and some pimples." Adapalene 0.1 percent is the one sold without a prescription in the United States. Its Drug Facts label gives the directions:

• Use it once a day, after gently cleaning the skin and patting it dry.
• "Cover the entire affected area with a thin layer. For example, if your acne is on the face, apply the product to the entire face."
• Keep it away from the eyes, lips and mouth.
• Limit sun and use sunscreen outdoors.
• "Applying more than directed will not provide faster or better results, but may worsen skin irritation."

The label also warns that "during the early weeks of use, your acne may appear to worsen before it improves (this is normal)," and that redness, itching, dryness and burning are more likely "in the first few weeks of use." A moisturizer helps. Skinli's photo plan starts adapalene every other night for two weeks, then every night. The guide adapalene for blackheads and whiteheads covers it in depth.

Step 2: a benzoyl peroxide wash

The AAD says benzoyl peroxide "reduces acne-causing bacteria on your skin" and works best with another acne treatment that works on other causes. The FDA allows 2.5 to 10 percent in products sold without a prescription. The AAD's adult acne page says "it's best to start with a product that contains 2.5%," to avoid dry, irritated or burning skin. FDA labeling warns users to avoid contact with "hair and dyed fabrics, which may be bleached by this product." Skinli's plan uses benzoyl peroxide 2.5 percent.

Salicylic acid, the other option

The AAD says: "Because it unclogs pores and exfoliates the skin, salicylic acid works best on whiteheads and blackheads." To exfoliate means to remove dead skin from the surface. The FDA allows 0.5 to 2 percent in acne products and directs people to start with one application a day. Its guideline grade is conditional, below the retinoids. Use one pore-clearing product at a time: the adapalene label says irritation is more likely "if using more than one topical acne medication at a time," and Skinli's plan asks people to set salicylic acid aside while they use adapalene. The guide salicylic acid for blackheads covers how to use it.

Treat the whole area

The AAD's skin care habits page says applying medicine only to blemishes "fails to prevent new breakouts." Instead, "spread a thin layer of the acne medication evenly over your acne-prone skin. For example, if you tend to breakout on your forehead, nose, and chin, you would want to apply the acne treatment evenly on all of these areas of your face." A 2004 review in Clinics in Dermatology explains that blackheads and whiteheads begin as microcomedones, clogs too small to see. Treating the whole area reaches pores that are clogging now.

How long it takes

Time	What the sources say
First weeks	Irritation is more likely, and acne may look worse before it improves (adapalene label)
4 to 8 weeks	Fewer breakouts, per the AAD's adult acne page
6 to 8 weeks	The AAD's point to judge a treatment
Up to 3 months	Time to see results on the adapalene label
3 to 4 months	Complete clearing, per the AAD

The AAD's habits page says to use a product for 6 to 8 weeks, because "It takes that long to see some improvement," and that trying a new acne treatment every week or so can irritate the skin. Take a photo on day one and every two weeks in the same light. Slow change is easier to see in photos.

Daily habits that keep pores clear

The AAD's skin care pages give these habits:

1. Wash twice a day and after sweating. Use lukewarm water and your fingertips. The AAD's face washing page says "Using a washcloth, mesh sponge, or anything other than your fingertips can irritate your skin."
2. Use products that will not clog pores. The AAD says to use "only makeup, sunscreen, skin, and hair-care products that are labeled 'non-comedogenic' or 'won't clog pores.'"
3. Remove makeup every night. "Remove your makeup before you go to bed. No exceptions."
4. Keep hair products off your face. The AAD says oils in hair products "can cause tiny breakouts along your hairline and forehead."
5. Moisturize. The AAD says dry skin is irritated skin, and "Anytime you irritate your skin, you risk getting more acne."
6. Wear sunscreen. The AAD's page on pores says sun damage makes skin less firm, and "When skin starts to lose its firmness, pores look more noticeable."

Methods to skip

Squeezing. The AAD says "squeezing a blackhead can cause an infection or permanent scar." When you squeeze, "you're likely to push some of what's inside (e.g., pus, dead skin cells, or bacteria) deeper into your skin," which increases inflammation. NICE says persistent picking "can increase the risk of scarring." The NHS says: "do not pick or squeeze spots because this can cause scars."

Scrubbing. The AAD says "The black dots aren't dirt, so resist scrubbing. It will only worsen your acne."

Toothpaste. The AAD says toothpaste contains abrasive ingredients, whitening agents, color and flavor, and "None of these ingredients fight acne, but they can irritate or harm your skin."

Strips and peel-off masks. A 2025 study of nose blackheads in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology says squeezing the nose or using peel-off masks at home can result in "skin infections, further pore dilation, and capillary damage." The 1976 study found an emptied pore "refills within 30 days." The guide pore strips for blackheads looks at what strips remove.

Metal extractors at home. A 2024 trial in Lasers in Medical Science said the comedone extractor "has been widely employed by dermatologists, but the effect is temporary and may cause irritation." The AAD says acne surgery should be performed only by a trained doctor "to avoid scarring and infection." The guide comedone extractors covers the evidence.

Blackheads in different places

The plan above works wherever blackheads form, with small changes by area.

• The nose. The 2025 study calls the nose "the most common and prominent site for blackhead formation." The guide blackheads on the nose covers nose-specific steps and how to tell blackheads from filaments.
• The ears. Dermatologists extract comedones from the bowl of the outer ear. Keep fingers and tools out of the ear canal. See blackheads in the ear.
• The back. The AAD recommends a benzoyl peroxide wash left on for two to five minutes, plus adapalene, and loose clothes. See blackheads on the back.
• Whiteheads. The same retinoid plan treats them, and picking at them can lead to more whiteheads and scars. See how to get rid of whiteheads.

When to see a dermatologist

The AAD says: "Give treatment six to eight weeks to work. If you still see blemishes, you may want to see a dermatologist. A procedure like comedo (medical term for blackheads and whiteheads) extraction may help. Prescription-strength acne treatment is another option."

A dermatologist can offer:

• Acne extraction with sterile instruments. The AAD says "When performed by a dermatologist, acne extraction is a safe way to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads."
• Prescription retinoids, which the AAD lists as tazarotene, tretinoin and trifarotene.
• Chemical peels, which the AAD says help "remove dead skin cells that are clogging your pores and excess oil."
• Photopneumatic therapy, a light treatment with gentle suction that the AAD says is "FDA-approved to treat blackheads, whiteheads, and some pimples."

The guide how a dermatologist removes blackheads explains each one. See a dermatologist sooner for deep or painful lumps, acne that leaves scars or dark spots, or bumps you cannot identify. NICE says referral should be considered for acne that has not responded to 2 completed courses of treatment or that is leading to scarring.

Keeping blackheads away

Blackheads return when pores clog again. The AAD says blackheads and whiteheads "can return, so you'll need to follow a skin-care plan to prevent new blemishes." Its page on acne that will not clear says: "Even when you see clearing, you'll want to keep using the acne treatment. This helps to prevent new breakouts." The AAD adds that dermatologists may recommend a topical retinoid "as a maintenance treatment" to keep skin clear once acne is under control.

In practice, that means keeping the retinoid in your night routine after your skin clears, keeping every product non-comedogenic, and changing whatever set off the clogging in the first place. If you want a routine built for your skin, Skinli's free photo plan starts with adapalene 0.1 percent and benzoyl peroxide 2.5 percent, gives a week-by-week schedule, and tells you when to see a doctor.