Best advice for 8yr old's blackheads :(

[floorplanner]

hi,

I came here because posters are so knowledgeable about skincare and have recommended stuff that has helped MY acne a lot over the years!

I have an 8yr old dc who's unfortunately started to get blackheads :( I'm so unsure about the best way to treat this, if I google I see lots of recommendations for facewashes, scrubs etc BUT I was also an early starter re. blackheads and I'm convinced all the early facewashes and squeezing my mum did (as per advice at the time) just aggravated things in the long run.

Is she better off cleansing with a balm or lotion and hot cloth like I do? I occasionally put a thin layer of Effaclar Duo on the blackheads but they're neither worse nor better. I also put a thin patch of clay mask on overnight about once a week, just on the small area. Again this hasn't made things better or worse.

I know there are countless teen/preteen products out there but from personal experience I'm just not sure they do much good in the long run. Would so appreciate advice from any skincare gurus.

I’ve battled this forever (started periods at nine). The rest of my skin is perfect but I have sebaceous filaments and develop blackheads and sandpapery texture on my nose if I am not rigorous with the salicylic acid toner followed by low strength benzoyl peroxide cream applied with a cotton bud. I have permanently open pores where I’ve squeezed the blackheads .

My dermatologist said they often go hand in hand with having brunette or black hair for some reason, and a dab of Jolen creme bleach can help. That made a huge difference to the texture and appearance but the effect lasted all of a day.

Sebaceous filaments are a brunette problem? That’s interesting! I have dark hair but very fair white skin .... is it about oil production ?

I may have completely misunderstood my derm, but IIRC all pores have microscopic hairs in them and having dark hair means the pores are more obvious - so what you think is a nascent blackhead may actually just be a tiny dark brown (in my case) hair.

Watch with the Jolen, it can affect your skin tone if used long term (it warns of this on the box). I used to use it on my neck regularly, and now find I don't tan as much there, and it's very noticeable.

Wipes are not good for skin, avoid.