The Best Cleanser for Blackheads

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Nobody wants to deal with blackheads and clogged pores. Unfortunately, they’re a part of life for most of us. You can’t get rid of pores themselves, but you can help keep them clear of the oil and dead skin cells that cause blackheads and uneven texture. The right cleanser can make pores look smaller and cleaner. But which one is right for you? Which is the best cleanser for blackheads?

Key Takeaways

• Blackheads are pores clogged with oil and dead skin cells; the dark color isn’t dirt, so harsh scrubbing won’t fix them.
• Cleansers with salicylic acid or other chemical exfoliants help loosen what clogs pores.
• A retinoid such as over-the-counter adapalene is one of the most effective ways to keep pores clear, but skip retinoids during pregnancy.
• Leave extractions to a professional, since squeezing can cause inflammation and scarring.
• See a board-certified dermatologist if blackheads or acne don’t improve after a couple of months.

If you’re ready to say sayonara to pesky blackheads, we’ve got you covered. We have researched and even tried some ourselves, and have found the best cleansers for blackheads on the market, whether you have acne-prone skin, dry skin, oily skin, or any other standard skin type. Let’s get rid of those blackheads, gal pals.

Top Pick: Paula’s Choice

The Paula’s Choice cleanser is one of the best gentle cleansers for blackheads on the market. It’s the do-it-all facial cleanser that works for just about anyone. There’s plenty to love about this comprehensive cleanser, including:

Exfoliates, smooths, and brightens

With the inclusion of BHA (beta hydroxy acid), this facial cleanser helps loosen the dead skin cells and oil that clog pores and form blackheads. With regular use, skin can look smoother, brighter, and clearer.

Less abrasive

Some might run for the hills when they hear “exfoliate.” They don’t want something overly rough on their skin, especially if they have delicate skin types. However, Paula’s Choice is non-abrasive as it’s a chemical exfoliant vs physical, so it is a gentler option for most skin types. If your skin is very sensitive, start slowly and patch test first.

Safe and effective

Paula’s Choice formulates without added fragrance, which is a plus for anyone prone to irritation.

Paula’s Choice is the way to go if you’re looking for a cleanser to handle all kinds of skin concerns – from blackheads to oil production and more. What more could you ask for?

Runner-Up: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

For those looking for a more affordable yet just as effective facial cleanser with blackhead busting ingredients, The Inkey List Salicylic cleanser is it. This cleanser combines ingredients designed to help control excess oil and improve skin texture, and it exfoliates chemically rather than with scrubby particles.

With The Inkey List Salicylic Cleanser, you get 2 percent salicylic acid, a zinc compound, and allantoin. What does all of this mean?

Salicylic acid is an oil-soluble chemical exfoliant, so it can work inside the pore to loosen dead skin cells and oil, which helps unclog pores and smooth texture. The zinc compound helps manage oiliness, and allantoin helps soothe the skin.

It’s a strong budget pick for blackheads, and also a good option if you want a salicylic acid cleanser to improve overall skin texture.

Best For Oily Skin Types: Vinopure Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser. 

If you have oily, normal, or combination skin, you will appreciate the Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser. This is a gel cleanser that lathers up with water and works great at breaking up the oil on the surface of the skin. It helps remove excess oil and debris from the surface of the skin, which can help reduce blackheads and congested pores over time.

It contains what Caudalie describes as natural salicylic acid, plus the brand’s signature grape water, which it says offers antioxidant, hydrating, and soothing benefits.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skinfix Acne+ 2% BHA + Azelaic Acid + Niacinamide + AHA Cleanser

It can be challenging for people with acne-prone skin to find a facial wash that works for them. Finding ones with active ingredients that tackle your concerns without drying or irritating the skin isn’t easy.

However, the Skinfix Acne+ 2% BHA + Azelaic Acid + Niacinamide + AHA Cleanser is a well-rounded option for helping to control acne. Skinfix is known for barrier-focused formulas for sensitive and inflamed skin, and it pairs well-studied active ingredients with a focus on keeping the skin barrier healthy.

As you can tell, this brand is very serious about tackling skin concerns without ruining your skin health. This acne cleanser combines salicylic acid (we already know how this works); azelaic acid, which has antibacterial properties, helps unclog pores, and can fade the dark marks acne leaves behind; niacinamide, which may help regulate oil; and glycolic acid, an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and another chemical exfoliant that loosens dead skin cells on the surface to reveal smoother, brighter skin.

Overall, this is a great cleanser for reducing blackheads and helping to prevent breakouts, and it is formulated to be gentle on your skin barrier. As with any acid cleanser, watch for dryness if you also use other exfoliants.

Best For Dry Skin: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator

Oily and acne-prone skin isn’t the only skin type that needs to be careful when choosing the best cleanser for blackheads. Those with dry skin have to be picky about finding a product that won’t further dry out and irritate their skin.

The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator is an option that dry-skinned ladies (or gents) can trust. It starts out as a rice-based powder that turns into a foamy paste when you add water. It is a gentle form of physical exfoliation. This product also includes several blackhead-fighting ingredients, including salicylic acid, papain enzymes, rice bran-derived phytic acid, and colloidal oatmeal. Together, these ingredients and the gentle powder exfoliation help fight blackheads while smoothing dry, flaky patches.

Dermalogica markets it as gentle enough for daily use, but if your skin is dry or sensitive, you may prefer to use it a few times a week.

How to Say Sayonara to Blackheads for Good

If you struggle with blackheads, you know what a problem they can be. It seems like no matter what you do; they just keep coming back. The dark color isn’t dirt, so scrubbing harder won’t help. Instead, consider these tips for keeping blackheads under control.

Wash your face twice a day to remove excess oil

You should be washing your face in the morning and night, preferably with one of the best cleansers for blackheads above. Just make sure you’re buying one that works with your skin type.

Consider a face mask

A face mask once a week can work wonders in relieving your face of unwanted blackheads. Clay masks, such as kaolin clay, are a popular option for absorbing excess oil.

Use topical retinoids

Dermatologists often recommend a retinoid to unclog pores. Adapalene gel is available without a prescription; apply a thin layer to the whole area where blackheads form rather than just spot-treating, and give it six to eight weeks to work. Avoid retinoids if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.

Consider a chemical peel

This might sound a bit scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Sure, it’s not something you’d want to do on your face daily. But a professional chemical peel every once in a while can help clear blackheads and may also improve fine lines and uneven tone. Have peels done by a dermatologist or trained professional.

Leave extractions to a professional

This is another frightening word, but it’s not as bad as you think. However, extraction should be done by a dermatologist or trained professional. Squeezing at home or using tools on your own can push debris deeper, cause inflammation, and lead to scarring.

Whatever you choose, look for ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, azelaic acid, and retinoids, which help keep pores clear. If you also get red, inflamed breakouts, a benzoyl peroxide wash can help. If blackheads or acne persist after a couple of months, see a board-certified dermatologist.

Final Words

There are many skincare products on the market that claim to get rid of blackheads, but the five listed above are our personal favorites. Paula’s Choice can work for just about anyone, but if you want something specific – such as something for oily or dry skin – make sure you buy the appropriate products, especially if you have any type of acne.

Have you ever used one of these blackhead cleansers? Which one do you think is the best cleanser for blackheads? Let us know which one gave you the beautiful skin you always wanted.

Sources

• American Academy of Dermatology – How to treat different types of acne
• Cleveland Clinic – Blackheads: What They Look Like, Treatment & Prevention
• Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (PMC) – Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review

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