Skin Concern
How to get rid of blackheads, for good
Blackheads are pores plugged with oil and dead skin; the dark color comes from pigment, not dirt. You cannot scrub them away, and strips only empty them for a few days. What works is daily care that keeps pores from refilling: a retinoid such as adapalene, salicylic acid, and patience for six to eight weeks.
To get rid of blackheads, use a retinoid such as over-the-counter adapalene at night and a salicylic acid wash or leave-on in the morning, and keep at it for six to eight weeks. Both work inside the pore to stop oil and dead skin from re-forming plugs. Do not scrub, squeeze or rely on pore strips: blackheads are not dirt, and strips only give a temporary result. If blackheads remain after two months, a dermatologist may offer prescription retinoids, professional extraction or peels.
- Blackheads are open plugged pores; the black tip is pigment, not dirt.
- Adapalene and salicylic acid are the core over-the-counter fixes; expect six to eight weeks.
- Squeezing, scrubbing and pore strips can irritate or scar and do not stop new blackheads forming.
Why they form
What causes blackheads?
A blackhead is an open comedone: a hair follicle (pore) blocked with sebum (skin oil) and dead skin cells, with the top left open to the air. DermNet explains the dark color comes from melanin pigment at the surface, not trapped dirt. For the full background on the condition itself, see our blackheads overview; this page focuses on clearing them.
DermNet lists several things that drive or worsen plugging:
- Hormones (androgens) that increase oil and cell buildup in the follicle.
- Heavy, oily or pore-clogging products and hair pomades.
- Over-hydrated skin, for example from humidity or very rich creams.
- Squeezing and harsh scrubbing, which can rupture follicles.
- Smoking, and possibly dairy and high-sugar diets.
Blackheads are the mildest form of comedonal acne. They are common on the nose, chin and forehead, where oil glands are busiest.
Treatment
What actually gets rid of blackheads?
| Option | How it helps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adapalene (OTC retinoid) | Normalizes skin cell shedding inside the pore so plugs stop forming. The AAD names a retinoid as the dermatologist pick for blackheads. | Pea-sized amount at night; expect dryness at first. |
| Salicylic acid | Oil-soluble acid that loosens debris inside pores. | Cleveland Clinic suggests a daily wash; cut back if dry. Leave-ons like Paula’s Choice 2% BHA give longer contact. |
| Glycolic acid (AHA) | Exfoliates the surface layer. | Helps texture; less targeted at pores than salicylic acid. |
| Azelaic acid | Mildly comedolytic (unclogging) and calming. | Good for sensitive skin, though Cleveland Clinic notes it is less potent for blackheads. |
| Benzoyl peroxide | Kills acne bacteria; reduces the pimples that often come with blackheads. | Does not clear blackheads directly. |
| Prescription retinoids | Stronger versions such as tretinoin. | A dermatologist may offer these if OTC fails. |
| In-office procedures | Professional extraction, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser; DermNet also lists cautery and cryotherapy for stubborn comedones. | Faster clearance, but they do not prevent new ones without home care. |
Your plan
A simple blackhead-clearing routine
- Morning: salicylic acid wash
Use a salicylic acid cleanser, or plain gentle cleanser if your skin is dry.
- Morning: light moisturizer and SPF 30+
Choose products labeled non-comedogenic. Cleveland Clinic recommends SPF of at least 30.
- Night: adapalene
A pea-sized amount over the whole area, not just on spots, every other night at first, then nightly.
- Night: moisturizer
A light, oil-free moisturizer reduces retinoid dryness.
- Limit exfoliation
Cleveland Clinic advises no more than a couple of times a week; see how often should you exfoliate.
- Wait six to eight weeks
The AAD says to give treatment this long before judging it.
Keep going once clear. DermNet notes comedonal acne often needs long-term treatment. Most people keep a retinoid or salicylic acid in their routine to stop blackheads returning.
What not to do
What does not work, or makes blackheads worse?
Do
- Treat the whole area every day, not just visible dots.
- Use oil-free makeup and remove it nightly.
- Leave extraction to a dermatologist or trained esthetician.
- Moisturize, even if oily; over-dried skin can worsen oiliness.
Avoid
- Squeezing or picking: Cleveland Clinic warns it can spread bacteria, cause dark marks and scar.
- Scrubbing: the AAD says blackheads are not dirt and scrubbing worsens acne.
- Pore strips as a fix: they clear plugs temporarily but can irritate and do not stop new ones.
- Heavy oils, pomades and rich creams on blackhead-prone areas.
- Stacking several exfoliants at once.
Is it a blackhead?
Blackheads vs sebaceous filaments and other look-alikes
Sebaceous filaments
Flat, grey or tan dots evenly spread across the nose. They are normal oil channels and refill within days. Compare in blackheads vs sebaceous filaments, or see how to get rid of sebaceous filaments.
Whiteheads
Small skin-colored or white bumps where the pore is fully closed. Same treatments apply; see whiteheads.
Solar comedones
DermNet describes blackheads on the cheeks and chin of older people, linked to sun damage. A dermatologist can advise.
Dilated pore or giant comedo
One wide, dark opening that keeps refilling may be a cyst-like lesion that needs a dermatologist.
If you have a mix of blackheads, whiteheads and congestion, our clogged pores page covers the bigger picture, and sebaceous filaments explains why some dots never fully go.
Safety and professional-help boundaries
When to see a dermatologist about blackheads.
- Blackheads that remain after six to eight weeks of steady treatment: a dermatologist may offer prescription retinoids, extraction or peels.
- Painful, red or deep spots alongside blackheads, or any scarring, need medical acne treatment.
- A single enlarged, recurring dark pore, or a bump that bleeds or changes, should be examined.
- Sudden widespread blackheads with irregular periods or excess hair growth may have a hormonal cause worth checking.
- Retinoids, including adapalene, should not be used in pregnancy; our skincare during pregnancy guide covers safer options to discuss with your clinician.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions
How do you get rid of blackheads fast?
There is no safe instant fix. Pore strips or professional extraction empty pores for a few days, but lasting results come from a retinoid and salicylic acid used daily for six to eight weeks.
Can you get rid of blackheads permanently?
You can clear them and keep them away, but most people need ongoing care. Blackheads usually return if you stop the retinoid or salicylic acid that prevents new plugs.
Should I squeeze blackheads?
No. Squeezing can push debris deeper, spread bacteria, cause dark marks and leave scars. If you want extraction, have a dermatologist or trained esthetician do it.
Do pore strips work on blackheads?
Only briefly. They pull out the top of plugs, but they do not treat the cause and can irritate or dry the skin.
Is salicylic acid or retinol better for blackheads?
They work best together. Dermatologists favor a retinoid such as adapalene to stop plugs forming, and salicylic acid helps loosen existing debris; use them at different times of day.
How long does it take to get rid of blackheads?
Expect six to eight weeks of consistent use before judging results. Topical treatments can take several months to reach their full effect.
Why do I get blackheads on my nose?
The nose has many large oil glands, so pores clog easily. Many nose dots are also sebaceous filaments, which are normal and refill quickly.
Does benzoyl peroxide get rid of blackheads?
Not directly. It kills acne bacteria and helps with the pimples that often come with blackheads, but a retinoid or salicylic acid targets the plugs themselves.
Can I treat blackheads while pregnant?
Avoid retinoids, including adapalene, during pregnancy. Ask your clinician about options such as limited salicylic acid or azelaic acid.
Editorial Record
- Editorial status
- reviewed
- Medical reviewer
- Dr. Abdurrahman Efem
- Practical reviewer
- Merve Akkaya
- Last reviewed
- November 13, 2026
Related pages
Continue from here
Sources reviewed
Evidence behind this guide
- American Academy of Dermatology: How to treat different types of acne.
- DermNet: Comedonal acne.
- Cleveland Clinic: 9 ways to get rid of blackheads.
- American Academy of Dermatology: Acne, diagnosis and treatment.
Sources support the general editorial guidance shown here. They do not replace personal medical advice from a qualified clinician.