Let’s straighten out one myth first – blackheads are not dirt! A lot of people are mistakenly under the impression that blackheads are caused by dirt or poor hygiene. The people who are very diligent about their skincare, but still get blackheads can tell you that some people are just prone to them.

Blackheads are formed by excess oil production, which can clog pores. Couple that with dead skin cells clogging your pores, environmental factors such as air quality, hormone imbalances (which affect oil production) or oil based skin products, and you might have an explanation for your dilemma.

The ‘black’ color is the result of the oxidation of the material in the pore, which happens because a blackhead is open to the air, unlike a red pimple or whitehead.

In order to get rid of blackheads, you must continue to tackle them from the inside and out. How do you defend them from the inside? Eat a healthy diet and drink a lot of water. Drinking enough water is one of the best things you can do for your skin, because it helps to flush the toxins out of your body and moisturize your skin.

To defend them from the outside you need a good skin cleansing routine – always go to bed with a clean face and be sure to wash after exercising. Sweating is good, but it can lead to clogged pores if not taken care of soon.

Gentle cleansing is important, because too much scrubbing and using harsh products can aggravate your skin and leave you with more breakouts!

Weekly exfoliation is good for shedding those dead skin cells that tend to clog pores – you can use an exfoliating cleanser or mask.

You may be tempted to squeeze your blackheads out. Although it is not a good idea, because over zealous squeezers can cause permanent skin damage, it can be done. Keep in mind that sometimes they are ‘ready’ to come out and others shouldn’t be forced.

You should first steam your face (face over bowl of hot water with towel over head), or put a damp (warm water) washcloth over your face for ten minutes. Then put a tissue or washcloth over each of your index fingers and apply soft, even pressure on each side of the blackhead, gently rolling towards the center and up. If it is ready, it will pop right up, if it is not loose enough, then leave it alone or you will risk damaging your skin. Making sure your skin is well hydrated may make it easier – another reason to drink your water!

After you wash your face, applying toner can help to close the pores. Stay away from oil-based makeup, lotions and sunscreen – look for “non-comedogenic” products, as this means they are less likely to block pores.