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How To Reduce the Appearance of Blackheads

Blackheads can get in the way of a flawless-looking complexion. Find out what causes blackheads and how to reduce their appearance in this helpful guide.

5 minute read

Darlings, if you’re looking for the secrets to a FRESH and FLAWLESS-LOOKING complexion, it’s important to tackle any blackheads you may have. They’re one of the most common skin concerns and their unsightly appearance can really get in the way of achieving your skin goals of having SOFTER, SMOOTHER and SUPPLE-LOOKING skin.

Discover everything you need to know about blackheads including what causes blackheads and skincare secrets to help reduce the look of blackheads in this helpful guide.

Resurfacing-Facial model shot

What Are Blackheads?

Your skin is made up of pores, which are small openings around your hair follicles and sweat glands. When these pores get blocked with dead skin cells and sebum (your skin’s natural oil), blackheads can occur. The reason blackheads are black is not because of the dirt, but because the oils trapped inside the pores have become oxidised, creating a darkened appearance.

What Causes Blackheads?

Your skin naturally produces a substance called sebum to keep your skin healthy and moisturised. When a build-up of excess oil, dead skin, bacteria and excess makeup occurs inside the pores, it can cause a skin concern called blackheads.

You’re more likely to get blackheads if you have oily skin or if you’re undergoing hormonal changes that cause an increase in oil production (during menstruation and pregnancy, for example). Excessive sweat from heat, exercise and stress can also cause blackheads – particularly if you forget to properly cleanse your skin at the end of the day.

How to Reduce the look of Blackheads

Darlings, first things first: NEVER squeeze, pop or pick at blackheads. At best, it can damage your pores and add more bacteria to your skin. At worst, it can seriously impact your skin, potentially causing scarring and hyperpigmentation.

To reduce the look of blackheads, you need to tackle the underlying problem of excess oil. The good news is that there are so many ways to do this but you will need to regularly commit to the process – otherwise, they’ll keep on naturally reforming every 20 to 40 days.

Here are some of Charlotte’s MAGIC skincare tips for blackheads…

  1. Two facial cleansers, one in lemon-yellow packaging and the other in charcoal-black, with rose-gold coloured lids.

    MAGIC STEP 1: Purify your skin with Charlotte’s Goddess Cleansing Ritual

    Cleansing correctly is one of the most important steps to reducing the appearance of blackheads as it helps to remove dirt from your skin while unclogging your pores of any makeup and impurities.

    Charlotte’s Goddess Cleansing Ritual is a SUPERCHARGED double cleansing skincare duo containing both a citrus oil cleanser and charcoal cleanser that helps deeply purify your pores while leaving your skin HYDRATED and NOURISHED.

    Shop Goddess Cleansing Ritual

  2. Goddess Skin Clay Mask tube with lid off

    MAGIC STEP 2: Detoxify with Charlotte’s Goddess Skin Clay Mask

    Because of clay’s natural SUPERPOWERS of absorbing oil and controlling shine in the skin, using clay masks is another MAGICAL way to reduce the appearance of blackheads.

    Perfect for use once a week as part of your regular skincare ritual, Charlotte’s award-winning Goddess Skin Clay Mask works by opening up your pores and drawing out the skin’s impurities. Formulated with Spanish clay and sweet almond oil, it visibly smooths and tightens the appearance of pores for skin that looks and feels dewy and hydrated. 99% agree that their skin felt PURIFIED after using it!*

  3. An exfoliating, wash-off, chemical mask in a white-coloured tube with its lid next to it.

    MAGIC STEP 3: Exfoliate with Charlotte’s Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial

    Exfoliating is a great way to reduce the look of blackheads for a GORGEOUS GLOW. Not only does it help unclog your pores to reduce the appearance of blackheads and breakouts, but it also helps to improve skin texture and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

    Charlotte’s Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial is a gentle exfoliator and MIRACLE MAKER that can be used weekly, AM or PM. It contains the supercharged skincare ingredient salicylic acid, which helps to break up sebum and PURIFY the look of your skin. When you use this research powered 2-in-1 exfoliator as part of your weekly skincare ritual, you’ll bring your healthy skin cells to the surface, minimising the appearance of blackheads and leaving FLAWLESS-LOOKING skin.

    Discover more about exfoliating

  4. Glowy, cream-coloured toner in a large clear bottle with a silver-coloured lid.

    MAGIC STEP 4: Refine your pores with Charlotte’s pore-refining Glow Toner

    Using a toner as part of your regular skincare ritual provides additional cleansing, helps to restore your skin’s natural PH balance, floods your complexion with hydration and prepares your skin to better absorb moisture.

    Charlotte’s Glow Toner is a super-hydrating, acid-free toner that SOFTENS skin and reduces the appearance of pores. Its plant-derived, pore-minimising PORETIGHT helps to rebalance your skin’s surface while reducing the appearance of enlarged pores and uneven skin texture. Meanwhile, its niacinamide supports your skin’s natural processes for optimal skin function and a perfectly SMOOTH and BALANCED-LOOKING complexion.

  5. A luminous, ivory-coloured facial serum in a glass bottle with a white and gold-coloured dropper lid,

    MAGIC STEP 5: Hydrate your skin with Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

    Using serum as part of your regular research-powered skin ritual is a great way to flood your skin with extra hydration while reducing the appearance of wrinkles for a more YOUTHFUL-LOOKING GLOW.

    Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir is suitable for all skin types and will SUPERCHARGE your skin with the power of potent skincare ingredients. It provides your skin with extra moisture and hydration, tightening and refining your pores.

  6. Thick, pearly-white cream in an open glass jar with its rose-gold-coloured lid next to it.

    MAGIC STEP 6: Nourish your skin with Charlotte’s Magic Cream

    When your skin is dry, it can cause an increase in the production of the oil that causes blackheads. That’s why it’s so important to keep your skin hydrated for a HEALTHY-LOOKING complexion where blackheads appear less detectable and reduced.

    Charlotte’s award-winning Magic Cream Moisturiser is a favourite with celebrities and supermodels all over the world. It contains Charlotte’s Magic 8 Matrix of research-powered oils and ingredients including rosehip oil (which revitalises and balances the look of skin) and hyaluronic acid (a well-loved ingredient that contributes to GLOWY and PLUMP looking skin). Charlotte’s Magic Cream also contains the power of vitamin C, which helps to reduce the appearance of blackheads by preventing the excess oil in your skin from oxidising as quickly.

    Discover Charlotte's Magic 8 matrix of ingredients

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Author Details

Charlotte Tilbury

Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty

With over 30 years experience, Charlotte Tilbury MBE is the world's number 1 makeup artist and British beauty entrepreneur. Charlotte established Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, which is now a record-breaking beauty brand that has won over 400 awards.

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