How can DC get rid of blackheads??

[Beautifultulips]

So teen DC has quite a few small blackheads on their nose, they are desperate to get rid of them and have asked my help!
We have tried face masks, exfoliating, even resorted to trying to squeeze them out but just nothing works. They are like little raised black dots. What products could we try wise Mumsnetters?!

Oil cleansing and acid based toners - Pixi glow etc. Please don’t use mechanical scrubs - they tear up the surface of your skin, whereas acid toners just dissolve off the top layer.

Please don't go digging at your face/ using grainy harsh scrubs. Be gentle!

Personally I find that a nice bland non foaming cleanser like cerave works nicely to keep skin healthy. Then a glycolic toner swept over it as the acid helps to clear the pores out without picking. Look up Caroline Hirons- her blog has loads of useful fact sheets and she's on FB and insta too.

@Newyearoldyou

What does oil cleaning actually do? Does it remove black heads that are already there?

I guess it softens them and allows them to come to surface it works for me anyway. I have enlarged pores on my nose

Mini brag For the purpose of being helpful only!...

I have very good skin. It’s clear and even toned. Some of that is good genes but mostly it’s a winning routine. Without it I would have a problem with congestion, especially on the nose.

You absolutely have to extract the blackheads. They won’t go on their own and there isn’t a magic product. Go and have this done professionally if need be but they have to be manually removed. Hydro facial is great for that. Thereafter you will need to keep on top of the clean pores with acids. Google the different types AHA or BHA for examples and see which best suits your skin type.
You’ll need to extract properly at least once a month because the blackheads will inevitably return.

The ordinary, inkley list & deciem are reasonably priced ranges which all include acids. Cult beauty is good for detailed descriptions of products and how to use.
I have tens of cheap flannels. Cheap so they aren’t soft & fluffy. I use a clean one every day to wash my face which gives a light exfoliation.

Retinol is the gold standard for skincare and will transform skin texture but it’s not for tweens/young teenagers. Great for adult skin

They're completely normal! I've had "blackheads" on my nose since about 12 but the rest of my face has always been clear. I wash my face and exfoliate so they aren't raised but they never go away completely. Loads of people have them. I used to be really self conscious but I doubt anyone even notices. Certainly never been mentioned.

@Hottbutterscotch
Can you help me with which retinol I might need? I am 44 and never used one before. Obvs have lines now in places but also have quite enlarged pores on forehead and am prone to spots esp around chin and jaw

If theee are realy a lot and they are troubling. A gp will prescribe a yopical product like epiduo whih is magic. It completely rptir all pores andfives incredibly smooth skin. Dailyuse of a product like clean and clear toner is hiwever very effective i think. It foe depend on the extent. Are you able to pusta close up photo to give an idea?

*post a

I struggle to squeeze the ones on my nose. I think they are sebaceous filaments rather than blackheads but they’re still visible. What works for me is a long, steamy bath or shower to open the pores and then one of the Bioré strips. They don’t always get them all but they seem to take the top layer of skin off so that any that are left can then be easily squeezed. Then I use a good face wash and a salicylic acid toner in between, I only do a bioré strip every 3 weeks or so.

Oh yes to the strips. They are so much fun.

I do it probably once or twice a year if I have really let my skin go. They suck most of them out and then you can keep on top of it with cleansing / exfoliators or acids.

For acids I like Bioloqiue recherche P50 and for exfoliants I like Dermalogica microfoliant (which is a rice enzyme).

I dont do this all the time though - even cleansing. The skin needs to be balanced to protect from the formation in the first place. You need to go slowly when starting a skin care regime.

@Silverswirl there are lots on the market but If you are really wanting a complete overhaul I would go with a prescription product like Obagi. If you google your nearest clinic someone there would advise. Now is a good time too because sun is not your friend when using Retinol.

Just a word of caution about Retinol. It is quite strong and some peoples' skin cannot tolerate it. You have to start with a product that has a low formulation of Retinol in it and use a tiny amount, slowly increasing the amount and use it every other day. Sun protection is essential.

Retinol made my skin red and spotty. Matrixyl is an artificial form of Retinol and it works wonders for me.

Former beautician here.
Do not squeeze. ...

Steam skin first (place a hot flannel over face ) stems for 5 mins. Then very very gently squeeze them , no forcing dab with some tea tree oil afterwards to close the pore

[quote Hottbutterscotch]@Silverswirl there are lots on the market but If you are really wanting a complete overhaul I would go with a prescription product like Obagi. If you google your nearest clinic someone there would advise. Now is a good time too because sun is not your friend when using Retinol.[/quote]
Thank you- yes that is what I thought with the low sun levels at the moment.
If I go to a clinic for a consultation I am worried that the consultation will charge me a fortune and just start recommending other things like dermal fillers or chemical peels which I don’t want 😬

The biorre nose strips are really good.

@Silverswirl yes that’s a valid concern but there are definitely reputable places. I think obagi tends to be quite discerning with who carries their line.
There is also the option of online. Skinstation will call you for a consultation over the phone.
I would put aside a couple of hundred as an initial outlay. Once you’ve had that first overhaul you can buy cheaper over the counter products.
Skinceuticals is good for ongoing maintenance