8/6/22, 2:03 PM How to Get Rid of Whiteheads: 12 Ways

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12 Ways to Get Rid of Whiteheads

Medically reviewed by Sarah Taylor, M.D., FAAD — Written by Kristeen Cherney —
Updated on September 17, 2018

Hands-off approach Home remedies Natural remedies

OTC options General tips See your doctor

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What treatments are available?

Whiteheads develop when dead skin cells, sebum (oil), and dirt clog your
pores. Unlike blackheads, which can be pushed out, whiteheads are
closed within the pore. This can make treatment a bit more challenging.

Still, there’s hope when it comes to getting rid of pesky whiteheads. From
home and natural remedies, to over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription
treatments, you can take a variety of approaches. Read on to learn more
about the 12 best ways to get rid of whiteheads.
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Ironically, the first step to whitehead treatment is to do nothing — that is,

you’ll want to take a hands-off approach. Touching your face not only
invites more pore-clogging dirt, oil, and bacteria, but it can also cause
irritation.

Picking and popping whiteheads simply doesn’t work, and it may do more
harm than good. In some cases, it can lead to irritation and permanent
scarring. Your best bet is to explore other removal and preventive
measures.

Home remedies
Home remedies are perhaps the easiest and most affordable whitehead
removal options. They usually involve using things you may already have
around the house. Beware of potentially damaging ingredients, though.
You should also stop any remedy that causes skin irritation.

Check out: Honey and cinnamon for acne treatment »

While some home remedies help, other items can irritate the skin. For
example:

apple cider vinegar or lemon juice may be too acidic for sensitive
skin
baking soda is too harsh

sugar crystals can worsen inflammation and even cut the skin
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Natural remedies
Natural remedies are increasing in popularity as alternative skin
treatments. While the term “natural” seems promising, the downside to
these treatments is that they may not go through the same testing
standards. Use the following items with caution.

Vitamin A cream

Vitamin A is a nutrient with powerful antioxidant properties. In terms of

skin health, vitamin A has the potential to decrease redness and
inflammation while also promoting healthy cell growth.

Some creams sold over the counter and in natural health stores contain
vitamin A. These are applied directly to your face once or twice per day.
Vitamin A products can cause redness and sensitivity to the sun. You
should always wear a daily sunblock when using these products.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is touted as a natural anti-inflammatory. It may also have

antimicrobial benefits. These effects mean tea tree oil could help clear up
whiteheads.

The oil may be available as an extract you pat directly onto the face.
Certain skin care items, such as cleansers, masks, and spot treatments,
also contain tea tree oil.

Learn more: Essential oils for acne treatment »

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is another plant-based ingredient. Like tea tree oil, aloe vera is
available as an extract or in OTC skin care products. Although studies on
the efficacy of aloe vera alone are inconclusive, the Mayo Clinic reports
that the ingredient may be helpful when used with other acne products.
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Witch hazel
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Derived from a flowering plant of the same name, witch hazel may help
heal whiteheads with its astringent, pore-opening qualities. Witch hazel is
most convenient to use in astringent form. Simply wet a cotton ball with it
and use twice per day.

Learn more: Herbs for acne treatment »

Over-the-counter products
Treating whiteheads and other forms of acne often takes trial and error. If
natural and home remedies fail to clear your whiteheads, you may
consider OTC treatments.

Take care not to use all the following ingredients at once. Using too many
acne products together can dry out the skin. Patience is also important
with OTC acne products. These treatments can take months to take full
effect.

Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide can be helpful as both a spot treatment and a full face
treatment. It helps get rid of bacteria and excess oil. If you have multiple
whiteheads in one spot, benzoyl peroxide may be helpful because it can
reduce inflammation in the surrounding area.

Look for a product with at least 2% benzoyl peroxide. Examples include

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment (2.5%) and Murad Acne Spot
Fast Fix (3.5%).

Simply apply to the affected area once per day. You may increase the
application to twice per day once your skin gets used to it. Also, wash
your hands immediately after using products with benzoyl peroxide — the
ingredient may bleach hair and clothing.

Salicylic acid

Like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid can decrease oil production in pores.
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It also dries out the surface of the skin, getting rid of dead skin cells that

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can clog up your pores.

Salicylic acid may be most beneficial as a preventive measure against

whiteheads. You can use it 1 to 3 times daily. It’s available in acne toners
and astringents, as well as creams and gels. Some face moisturizers also
contain salicylic acid.

You may want to try one of the following products:

Neutrogena Clear Pore Oil-Eliminating Astringent

Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel

Murad Time Release Active Cleanser

Clean and Clear Dual Action Moisturizer

Retinoid creams

Retinoids contain stronger versions of vitamin A. When used as part of a

daily face cream, retinoids can provide anti-aging benefits while
unclogging pores. Adapalene is an OTC retinoid that can be extremely
beneficial. It should be applied to the entire face, not as a spot treatment.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, try using it every 2 to 3 nights at first,
then increase your use to nightly as tolerated. If the OTC adapalene is not
effective, there are much stronger topical prescription retinoids that your
dermatologist can prescribe.

Take care when using retinoids. They can make your skin more sensitive
to the sun. Wear sunscreen every day, and avoid being in direct sunlight
in peak hours.

Gentle exfoliants

Exfoliants — with or without salicylic acid — can also help with

whiteheads. These not only make the skin smoother, but they can also
remove excess dead skin cells.

The key to choosing

A D V E R Tthe right
ISEME NT exfoliant is to choose a gentleformula. It will 

provide you with the exfoliation you need without causing unnecessary

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irritation and dryness. Philosophy’s Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash

is an example of a gentle exfoliant.

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Skin care tips

Taking care of your skin in general can go a long way in preventing
whiteheads in the first place. Try these tips:

Wash your face once in the evening. Use a mild product, like one
from Dove or Cerave. You may also want to wash your face after
working out or playing sports.

Use lukewarm water for cleansing and bathing.

Avoid harsh scrubs, which can cause skin irritation.

Exfoliate a few times per week only. It helps to get rid of dead skin
that can clog your pores, but exfoliating too much can actually cause
further irritation and more acne problems.

Wear a sunscreen specifically designed for the face. All-over

sunscreens can clog facial pores.

Wash your hair regularly, especially if you have long hair. Oil from
your hair can 
A D V clog your
ERTISEM E N T pores.

Keep hair products away from your face.

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Clean your smartphone, pillowcase, and sunglasses regularly to get

rid of oil, dirt, and bacteria.

If you wear makeup, there are few other things you should keep in mind:

Wash your makeup off every night.

Look for makeup products labeled “oil-free” and “noncomedogenic.”

These are less likely to clog your pores.

Throw out old makeup. Creams should be used within a few months,
while powders can last up to a year.

Avoid makeup jars, which can harbor bacteria.

Wash makeup brushes and sponges after each use.

Never share makeup or applicators.

When to see your dermatologist

If other methods fail to clear up your whiteheads, it may be time to make a
dermatologist appointment. They can help by prescribing stronger
medications to remove whiteheads. These may come in the form of
topical treatments or oral tablets. Some prescription acne products make
your skin more sensitive to the sun, so be sure to wear sunscreen daily.

Last medically reviewed on April 25, 2017

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