DERMAdoctor

Blackheads are a skincare occurrence that most of us struggle with, whether you have oily skin or not. Before knowing what ingredients to use to get rid of them, what you need to do is understand what blackheads are in the first place.  What is a blackhead? Blackheads are one of the most common forms of acne. Our pores sometimes get congested with dead skin and sebum. When this gunk comes in contact with the air, it gets oxidised, and turns black, and hence is called a blackhead. While some people are genetically prone to blackheads, and those with oily skin tend to have more, they can also occur due to hormonal changes (like puberty or starting a new hormonal birth control) or from wearing heavy makeup.  Dermatologist-approved Ingredients for blackheads “The good news is that there is a cornucopia of over-the-counter products that contain effective ingredients to exfoliate, soften, and even remove blackheads,” says Allison Britt Kimmins, MD, MPH. Here I did some research about dermatologists to get the lowdown on which ingredients fight them best and some products recommendations. Salicylic acid Salicylic acid, found in many acne products, is a longtime skincare staple for its ability to unclog pores by cleaning out enlarged follicles that fill with sebum and become blackheads.  Because the ingredient can irritate the skin if used too much, it’s best to use it as a targeted treatment instead of all over your face or body. Many people may be sensitive to salicylic acid and be able to use it more than once every few days. If you continue to react to it, discontinue use. Try:PAULA'S CHOICE - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant This Paula’s Choice product has long been a cult-favourite salicylic acid exfoliator. The lightweight formulation absorbs quickly and is formulated at the optimal pH of 3.2 to 3.8 for maximum efficacy. Green tea extract is also present to provide calming and antioxidative properties. Glycolic acid An alpha hydroxy acid derived from sugarcane, gives blackhead-prone skin a fresh start. It goes to work by exfoliating the top skin layer and cleaning out clogged follicles. The benefits of this gentle acid are twofold. By dissolving the upper skin layer, it also triggers the skin cells to repair themselves—therefore creating more collagen. Try:exuviance - Pore Clarifying Cleanser It is soap-free formula and contains AHAs, PHAs, BHAs, suitable for oily and acne-prone skin. Azelaic acid "Azelaic acid is a dicarboxylic acid that helps exfoliate the skin and is synthesized by yeast naturally,"says NYC-based dermatologists Gervaise Gerstner,  MD. It is a multifunctional skincare ingredient that targets blackheads and can also lighten the brown discolouration caused by acne. Try: DERMAdoctor - Photodynamic Therapy Age Spot Eraser & Skin Brightener A revolutionary brightening face treatment Developed with awardwinning, antiaging red light technology Formulated with hydroquinonefree botanical boosters Helps even skin discoloration. Benzoyl Peroxide Like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide works as a keratolytic agent, which means it’s able to break down and loosen the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin and down in the pores. In addition to cleaning out pores, benzoyl peroxide fights the bacteria that lead to breakouts. Try:Clean&Clear - Persa-Gel 10 Acne Medication Spot Treatment It can be drying, however, and harsh on sensitive complexions. Spot treat on a small patch of skin first to make sure you don’t react. Witch Hazel Witch hazel, which naturally soothes blackhead-prone skin with anti-inflammatory properties, appears most commonly in toners. If your regimen begins with toner, pass on the drying alcohol–based formulas and opt for water-based products.  Try:THAYERS - Witch Hazel Blemish Clearing Toner A fan-favorite and easily one of the most well-known witch hazel-containing products, this toner is recommended by Zeichner and also contains rose petal water and aloe to help hydrate and calm the skin. "It's important to eliminate oil, scale, salt, and possibly makeup after a workout to prevent these materials from congealing in pores," explains Craig Kraffert, MD, president of Amarte Skin Care. Noted that cleansing with a gentle cleanser (or a mild exfoliant) is best. Although some people may see a dermatologist for their blackheads, and there are also in-office treatments that can help, it’s really worth trying some skincare products with ingredients that can help us get rid of blackheads！ Reference: https://www.advanceddermatologypc.com/doctors/allison-britt-kimmins/ https://www.gerstnermd.com/ https://www.medfordderm.com/about/meet-the-office

So I got a lot of mini products from Ulta for buying “x” amount of stuff you get free samples. I tried them out and here’s what I think... Jack Black - Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 this lip balm is on of my favorites, when I have extra dry or chapped lips this stuff helps moisturize and repair my lips. OUAI - OUAI Body Cleanser I really like this body cleanser because when I use it I feel clean and refreshed, my skin looks cleaner and brighter. boscia - Cactus Water Moisturizer I like this moisturizer because it smells good, it’s thin, and has a nice consistency to it. It makes my face a little shiny almost sticky looking but other than that this is a pretty good moisturizer. CeraVe - Daily Moisturizing Lotion For Normal To Dry Skin I love cerave, I love a good majority of their products. I like this moisturizer but it is a little on the thicker side and I usually like thinner moisturizers. It does it’s job and doesn’t make me breakout. exuviance - Overnight Transformation Complex I love the smell of this product, it smells fresh. It has a nice consistency. The issue I have is that it made me breakout the first time I used it. DERMAdoctor - Lucky Bamboo Probiotic Fermented Wasabi Pressed Serum this product has an odd thick consistency and it’s milky white in color. To me it doesn’t have much of a smell at all. It’s weird to me because I’ve only seen serums that are clear or transparent but this product is very opaque. It made my face feel really odd and sticky. Murad - Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture I didn’t use this product on my face only because the smell was so awful and the color was very displeasing. It smells stale and kind of waxy. The color is like a bees wax yellow. It feels oily when I put some in my fingers.