Can a DIY face scrub remove blackheads?

Why scrubbing misses the problem

Blackheads are open pores filled with excess oil and dead skin. Their dark appearance is not dirt, so the face does not need to be promoted to a household cleaning project. Some shallow blackheads disappear on their own, while deeply embedded ones are less likely to.1

Sugar and salt scrubs scratch away surface cells. A smoother surface and an emptied pore are different jobs, however enthusiastically a scrub applies for both. Scrubbing can irritate skin and make acne worse; irritation can also make pores look more noticeable. Wet green tea leaves are another home remedy that could help reduce oil production, but reducing oil is not the same as removing an embedded blackhead.123

What to do at home instead

1. 1Wash your face morning and evening with a gentle cleanser and warm water. Use gentle washing rather than rubbing or scrubbing.
2. 2Consider a salicylic acid cleanser for clogged pores. Salicylic acid dissolves dead skin cells that contribute to blocked follicles. Some formulas are gentle enough for daily use.
3. 3If the salicylic acid cleanser dries or irritates your skin, alternate it with a mild cleanser: use the mild cleanser in the morning and the salicylic acid cleanser before bed.
4. 4Use moisturizer regularly. Choose skincare and makeup labelled noncomedogenic, meaning designed not to clog pores, and remove makeup at the end of the day.

Salicylic acid is available without a prescription as a cleanser or lotion. Retinoids, medicines related to vitamin A, are another option: they break up blackheads and help prevent clogged pores. They can cause peeling or changes in skin colour. A pharmacist can help you choose an acne treatment rather than adding several treatments at once.14

If you still choose to exfoliate

This is general exfoliation guidance, not a blackhead removal recipe. Apply a scrub gently in small circular motions for about 30 seconds, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, and apply moisturizer immediately afterwards. There is no single schedule for everyone: frequency depends on skin type and method, and more aggressive exfoliation should be done less often.5

Who should avoid a scrub?

Mechanical exfoliation can be too irritating for dry, sensitive or acne prone skin. Avoid strong exfoliation if you have a darker skin tone or develop dark spots after skin injuries. Never exfoliate sunburned skin or open cuts. Prescription retinoids, retinol and benzoyl peroxide can make skin more sensitive or cause peeling; adding exfoliation can worsen dryness or breakouts. Stop exfoliating if your skin becomes red or irritated. Do not use retinol or retinyl palmitate during pregnancy or breastfeeding.35

When blackheads need professional help

Leave deep blackheads to a qualified professional rather than squeezing or digging them out. Squeezing can push a blackhead further into the skin and cause irritation or scarring. See a doctor if home treatment is not helping, you have deep painful spots or scars, or acne affects your mental health. Hot, swollen and red skin also needs medical assessment; redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin.14