Blackheads and enlarged pores on the face: what they are and how to deal with them

They are easy to notice, difficult to disguise, and even more difficult to get rid of. We will tell you why blackheads appear, what to do if you have them, and how to prevent their further occurrence.

What are "blackheads"?

Blackheads (open comedones) are a kind of plugs in the pores, which consist of dead skin cells, thick sebum (sebum), and impurities. The top of this plug protrudes outside the pore, oxidizes upon contact with oxygen and becomes dark in color. Blackheads are most often located in areas where the sebaceous glands are most active - the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), décolleté and the upper third of the back.

Why do pimples and blackheads appear?

1. Fluctuations in hormonal levels, which occur in young people during puberty, during pregnancy, and in certain phases of the female cycle. Elevated androgen levels can also be observed with endocrine system disorders.
2. Exposure to climatic factors such as ultraviolet radiation, increased temperature, and humidity, which lead to increased activity of not only the sebaceous but also sweat glands, resulting in increased sebum viscosity and difficulty removing it from the skin.
3. Use of comedogenic cosmetics, which, due to their composition, easily penetrate and remain in pores, leading to the formation of open comedones (hence the name "comedogenic"). Such products include creams and ointments intended for dry and very dry skin and containing heavy, viscous structures, fatty alcohols, petroleum jelly, waxes, or silicones. Those with oily skin should also avoid products containing ingredients that impede skin respiration, such as petroleum jelly, camphor, and mineral oils. These ingredients, when applied to the epidermis, adhere dead skin cells (flakes), impeding the drainage of sebum from the pores. Overly aggressive cleansing with alcohol-based products, antiseptics, and harsh scrubs, while seemingly the surest way to get rid of blackheads, actually has the opposite effect. It's important to understand that sebum production is an evolutionarily determined function that helps retain moisture in our skin and protects it from drying out. When you vigorously cleanse your skin "squeaky clean," the sebaceous glands receive an SOS signal, causing them to produce sebum even more intensely. Squeezing out blackheads yourself often leads to skin trauma, deep inflammation, and pustules. The result of such actions is the stretching of the pores and damage to their structure, which further disrupts the outflow of sebum and guarantees the formation of a new blackhead at the site of injury.
4. Failure to comply with the diet: a large content of dairy products, fast carbohydrates and trans fats in the diet increases the activity of the sebaceous glands.

Open comedones are also the initial form of acne (or acne) and under unfavorable conditions, such as friction, trauma or overfilling of the clogged space, can become inflamed and develop into pustules. Therefore, promptly eliminating blackheads and reducing sebum production are the key to clear facial skin.

Preventing open comedones:

• Use non-comedogenic makeup products and be sure to remove makeup at the end of the day.
• Wash your face every day with a gentle facial cleanser.

• Apply a moisturizer to your face daily to protect your skin from dehydration and prevent the accumulation of dry flakes that block sebum flow from your pores.

• Add more foods containing vitamins A, C, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber to your diet.

What to do about blackheads that have already appeared on your face?

It's well known that removing blackheads from your face is no easy task. Even specialized cleansers are unable to penetrate deep into the pores and therefore remove excess sebum only on the surface. The alternative is the well-known mechanical removal of the pore contents, which at home (self-squeezing, cleansing strips) leads to skin trauma and further enlargement of the pores. Therefore, it is recommended to visit a beauty salon whenever possible and, in particular, peeling procedures, ultrasonic, vacuum and mechanical cleanings. In parallel, it is necessary to combat the problem at home.

Seracin Librederm deep pore cleansing lotion will help remove blackheads at home. Finger lime extract, rich in alpha hydroxy acids, gently exfoliates dead skin cells to eliminate blackheads, while zinc gluconate effectively tightens pores, making them less visible and preventing sebum accumulation. Vitamins B3 and B6 brighten, soothe, and even out the skin's surface. The lotion can also be used on the neck, chest, and back. Apply the lotion twice daily (morning and evening) to skin previously cleansed of makeup and impurities.

A daily routine with Seracin products will improve the quality of your facial skin, thereby boosting your confidence.

All Seracin products are recommended by dermatologists as part of both mono and combination acne treatments.