Blackheads. Many of us deal with them. And while these pesky black blemishes tend to appear on and around the nose, they can also show up uninvited to other parts of the face (and body). Let’s explore the causes of these unsightly bumps and explore some ingredients that can help get rid of them.
Key Takeaways
- Blackheads form when sebum, oil and dead skin clog pores and oxidize in air. They’re common on the nose, chin and body.
- Chin and body blackheads are driven by excess oil, hormones, sweat, tight clothing and comedogenic products, with body skin producing larger, deeper clogs.
- Body blackheads differ from facial ones due to thicker skin, larger pores and friction from clothing, often requiring stronger exfoliation.
- Consistent cleansing and ingredients like salicylic acid, sulfur and clay help unclog pores, absorb oil and prevent blackheads.
What Are Blackheads?
Quick refresher: Blackheads are a type of acne. They appear when sebum mixes with oil and dead skin cells to clog a pore or hair follicle. When this clog is exposed to air, a chemical reaction happens and the gunk inside turns black.
Commonly found on the nose, blackheads are raised above the skin, which makes them more noticeable. While they are not typically painful or inflamed, they should be treated with care and can be safely removed by in a professional setting. Trying to extract them yourself by picking or squeezing can lead to infection, scarring and worse.
Most often seen on or around the nose, blackheads often appear on the forehead, chin, back, shoulders and inside the ears. Just like other acne blemishes, blackheads can appear wherever there is a pore or hair follicle.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of blackheads on your chin or elsewhere read on to find out how to minimize their appearance and prevent them in the future.
What Causes Blackheads on the Chin?
As mentioned, blackheads can show up wherever oil glands and pores exist. The main causes are excess sebum production, dead skin cell buildup, hormonal fluctuations, comedogenic skin care or makeup, genetics and skin type.
Just like on and around the nose, the chin and jawline can be especially prone to these unsightly dots because of the number of oil glands located in the area. Hormonal acne also often shows up on the chin and another common culprit is touching the area with hands and wearing masks.
Why Blackheads Form on the Body
Blackheads in other areas form because of the same root issues, but there are different factors that can exacerbate them. As well as the chin and jawline, they can develop on the chest, back, shoulders, upper arms and even in the ears.
Blackheads on the body can be attributed to other factors beyond just oils and dead skin. Sweat from working out can co-mingle with tight clothes and create the perfect conditions for the pores to get clogged.
Body products like shampoos, conditioners and shaving creams are other culprits. While most of us are very careful about what we apply to our faces, it’s common to worry less about the ingredients in our body care products because we don’t associate acne with other areas.
But body moisturizers tend to be thicker and often contain more oils and comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients than those formulated for the face. Skin type is a consideration when choosing products for the face but less so when picking products for the body.
Body blackheads are often larger than those that appear on the face. They are also harder to treat due to thicker skin in those areas.
Key Differences Between Facial & Body Blackheads
- Size and Depth: Body acne often presents as larger, deeper and more persistent due to thicker skin and larger pores compared to the face.
- External Factors: Body blackheads are frequently caused or worsened by "acne mechanica" (friction from clothing in direct contact with skin), sweat buildup and, in some cases, residue from hair products. Thick/oily conditioner can not only cause breakouts around the hairline, it also comes into contact with your back several times a week and probably isn’t followed up with a good scrub with soap.
- Skin Sensitivity: While your face is delicate and easily sensitized, body skin is significantly thicker and more resilient. This higher threshold for irritation is exactly why your body can tolerate the potent, high-percentage exfoliants needed to keep skin smooth and clear.
- Location: Facial blackheads appear on the nose, chin and forehead. Body blackheads are concentrated on the chest, back, shoulders and ears.
How To Get Rid of Blackheads on the Chin & Body
It’s worth mentioning again that trying to pick or squeeze blackheads, regardless of where they appear, is not recommended. Leave that to the professionals. What you can do is treat the areas using ingredients that can both minimize the look of blackheads and prevent them from forming in the first place.
At home, blackheads are best treated with ingredients that help unclog the pores.
Gentle, Consistent Cleansing
Just like the face, the body needs to be cleansed daily. Usually once in the shower is plenty, but adding a second cleanse post-workout or after a day at the beach is also important.
Make sure you’re cleaning the area with gentle ingredients that won’t strip the skin. Just like on your face, the skin on your body can be sensitive. Eminence Organics products are all free of sulfates and other harsh cleaning agents. Using a product formulated for the face is not only okay, but recommended in areas of the body where you may have breakouts. As with facial acne, ingredients like salicylic acid and sulfur, will also treat blackheads on the body.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates the top layer of skin and deep cleans pores. It is oil-soluble, which allows it to penetrate below the skin’s surface and clear blockages by making its way into the oil glands, dissolving the mixture of sebum and dead skin that can lead to spots. Acne-prone skin on the body doesn’t exfoliate on its own. Salicylic acid helps to dissolve the glue that holds dead skin cells together. By removing and loosening the bonds between skin cells, it encourages skin shed its outer layer, clearing it of pore-clogging debris.
Sulfur
Sulfur is a naturally occurring element that targets oil and dead skin cells by gently drying out the skin's surface and absorbing excess sebum, preventing and helping to clear clogged pores. It also has natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and exfoliating benefits to reduce the appearance of acne, making it a go-to for blackheads on all skin types and all parts of the body.
Clay
Clay is another option when dealing with acne on the body. Often used in topical masks, it help to detoxify the skin and draw out impurities and oil from its surface. But the magic doesn’t end there, clay actually sops up excess oil and dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, meaning they won’t be stuck lingering once they have been drawn out. Clay is also rich in nutrients and suitable for all skin types. A clay mask on the chin, back or shoulders is a great way to help keep those blackheads from forming or coming back.
Blackheads on the chin and body may be a fact of life, but taking care of your skin and keeping areas that are prone to them can definitely help treat them and avoid others from forming. To find out what you can do about your blackheads, visit an Eminence Organics Spa Partner to explore your options.
