Few things are more humbling than catching a glimpse of your skin in a 10x magnifying mirror, only to find a constellation of tiny, dark shadows that refuse to budge. Unlike a standard blemish that graciously comes to a head, deep blackheads feel like uninvited houseguests that have locked themselves in the guest room.
But before you reach for a metal extractor tool (please, put it down), know that clearing deep congestion is less about force and more about chemistry. Here’s exactly how to make blackheads go away using methods that actually respect your skin barrier.
Key Takeaways for Clearing Deep Blackheads
- What they are: Known as "open comedones" or deep-seated blackheads, these occur when oxidized oil and dead skin are trapped beneath a layer of skin cells.
- The Cause: Primarily caused by excess sebum production, slow cell turnover and the use of pore-clogging (comedogenic) products.
- The Best Treatment: Use Salicylic Acid (BHA). Because it is oil-soluble, it penetrates deep into the pore to dissolve the clog where scrubs cannot reach.
- Prevention: Consistency is key. Double cleansing and regular exfoliation prevent the "plug" from forming in the first place.
- Pro Tip: Never squeeze a deep blackhead; it can lead to scarring or cystic infection. Use "drawing" ingredients like charcoal or clay instead.
Why Do I Get Deep Blackheads Under the Skin?
Understanding the why is the first step to a permanent solution. In the dermatological world, a blackhead is known as an open comedo, or a plug made of sebum (oil) and dead skin cells.
A deep blackhead occurs when the pore remains stretched open but the plug is seated deep in the follicle There are three primary causes for this congestion:
- Overactive Sebaceous Glands: Hormonal fluctuations can cause your skin to produce excess, thick oil that struggles to flow out of the pore.
- Poor Cell Turnover: When dead cells aren't shedding efficiently, they mix with oil to create a "cement" that plugs the follicle.
- Comedogenic Buildup: Heavy makeup or sunscreen can contribute to the clog, forcing blackheads to form deeper in the dermis.
How to Get Rid of Blackheads Under the Skin
The urge to squeeze a deep blackhead is strong, but resistance is vital. Because these are deep, traditional "popping" often pushes the bacteria further down, leading to cystic acne or permanent scarring. To remove blackheads permanently, you need a strategy that dissolves the clog from the inside out.
1. Dissolve with Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Salicylic acid is the gold standard for exfoliating blackheads away. Unlike surface exfoliants, BHA is oil-soluble, meaning it can travel into the pore to break up the "glue" holding the deep blackhead together.
2. Soften with Thermal Heat
To reach a deep blackhead, you’ll need to soften the hardened sebum. Using a warm compress or professional-grade steam helps to expand the pore opening, making it easier for your topical treatments to penetrate.
3. Use "Drawing" Ingredients
Ingredients like kaolin clay or charcoal act like a vacuum. Once the BHA has loosened the clog, a treatment mask helps pull the impurities toward the surface where they can be washed away.
How to Make Blackheads Go Away (And Stay Away)
To remove blackheads permanently from your daily reality, you must shift from extraction to prevention.
- The Double Cleanse: Use an oil-based cleanser first to break down surface debris, followed by a treatment cleanser to clean the actual pore.
- Hydration is Key: Ironically, dehydrating your skin makes sebum thicker and harder to expel. Keep skin hydrated to ensure oil flows freely.
- Consistency over Intensity: It’s more effective to use a gentle organic exfoliant three times a week than a harsh chemical peel once a month.
Product Picks
Best Products for Getting Rid of the Appearance of Blackheads
Acne Advanced Clarifying Hydrator
This ultra-lightweight hydrator uses encapsulated salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid) to provide a time-release action that helps keep the look of pores clear throughout the day. It dries to a clean matte finish, which helps minimize the appearance of shine, while zinc hyaluronate ensures the skin stays hydrated and balanced.
Charcoal & Black Seed Clay Masque
When the goal is a deeper clean, this velvety clay masque is the professional answer. It combines activated charcoal with mineral-rich illite clay to absorb excess sebum and surface debris. The addition of black seed oil and squalane ensures that while the charcoal is purifying the skin's surface, the complexion remains nourished with essential fatty acids to prevent the dryness that can lead to further congestion.
Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant™
Consider the Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant™ a "pre-extraction" ritual in a bottle. This powder-to-foam exfoliant uses ice flour and adzuki flour to gently buff away the debris around the opening. The unique fizzing action, powered by stone crop and a detoxifying microgreens complex, helps invigorate the look of the skin and soften the appearance of your pores, making it significantly easier for deep impurities to be washed away.
Charcoal & Black Seed Clarifying Oil
It may seem counterintuitive to apply oil to blackhead-prone skin, but the Charcoal & Black Seed Clarifying Oil is essential for a balanced complexion. It utilizes black seed oil to help clarify the appearance of the skin and immortelle oil to soothe and moisturize. This oil is designed to help dissolve the look of hardened oil plugs, leaving the skin feeling smooth, soft and visibly clearer.
Charcoal Exfoliating Gel Cleanser
Our Charcoal Exfoliating Gel Cleanser transforms from a gel to a purifying lather, using activated charcoal to draw out surface impurities and environmental debris. The formula is supercharged with malachite gemstones and blue matcha to energize the complexion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I squeeze blackheads that are deep under the skin?
It’s highly recommended to avoid squeezing. Since deep blackheads are located further down the follicle and are often covered by a layer of dead skin cells, manual pressure can cause the pore wall to rupture. It’s a move that often leads to inflammation, potential scarring, or turning a simple blackhead into a painful cystic blemish.
How long does it take for deep blackheads to go away?
Consistency is key when dealing with deep-seated congestion. While "drawing" masks can provide immediate surface improvement, it typically takes four to six weeks of consistent use with BHAs (like salicylic acid) to see a significant reduction. It’s a timeline that aligns with the skin’s natural 28-day cellular turnover cycle.
Why do my blackheads keep coming back in the same spot?
Blackheads often recur in the same pore if the "pocket" has become stretched or if the underlying cause — such as overactive oil production — isn’t being managed. Using a clarifying oil like the Charcoal & Black Seed Clarifying Oil helps keep sebum fluid, so it’s less likely to harden into a plug in the same location.
Will steam help get rid of blackheads under the skin?
Steam itself doesn’t "open" pores (pores don’t have muscles), but it does soften the hardened sebum and dead skin cells trapped inside. Following a gentle steam with a BHA-based exfoliant or a charcoal masque makes the treatment significantly more effective, as it’s much easier to lift impurities when they’re softened.
Are blackheads under the skin the same as whiteheads?
Not exactly. A whitehead (closed comedo) is a pore that’s completely blocked, preventing oxygen from reaching the debris. A deep blackhead (open comedo) is partially exposed to oxygen, which causes the dark color, but it’s seated so deeply that it remains trapped beneath the surface level of the skin.
Discover professional-grade, organic ingredients and find a local Eminence Organics Spa Partner for a deep-cleansing facial today.
