How to Get Rid of Blackheads (vs Sebaceous Filaments)

How to get rid of blackheads, in short: wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser, add a salicylic acid (BHA) product, which the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says unclogs pores, and leave blackheads alone instead of squeezing or scrubbing them. Then give it time: six to eight weeks according to the AAD, and at least 12 weeks according to the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD). Dots on the nose can also be sebaceous filaments, which are normal, so check first.

What are blackheads, and why do they keep coming back?

A blackhead is a clogged pore that stays open. The AAD explains that pores clog with excess oil, bacteria and dead skin cells. If the pore stays open, you see a blackhead; if it closes over, you get a whitehead.

The dark dot is not dirt. In an open pore the plug is exposed to air, where it oxidizes and melanin (skin pigment) builds up, a dermatology article by Wong and colleagues explains. So scrubbing will not remove it, and the AAD says scrubbing only makes breakouts worse.

They come back because a cleared pore can clog again, so the steps below are a routine you keep, not a one-time fix.

Blackheads vs sebaceous filaments: how to tell them apart

Sebaceous filaments are yellowish to off-white collections of sebum (skin oil) and dead cells around hair follicles. An article in Dermatology Practical & Conceptual says they are usually found in normal, healthy people, mostly on the nose, and can look like blackheads. So if you hoped to get rid of sebaceous filaments, there is no need: they are normal.

How to get rid of blackheads on your nose

Look closely first. Yellowish or off-white dots are more likely sebaceous filaments, which sit mostly on the nose; a dark dot plugging an open pore is more likely a blackhead. For blackheads on the nose:

1. Wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser, as the NHS advises for skin prone to breakouts.
2. Add one salicylic acid product: a cleanser, toner, pad or serum.
3. Choose non-comedogenic moisturizer, sunscreen and makeup, meaning made not to clog pores (NHS).
4. Keep fingers, tools and strips off your nose.

Can you make pores on your nose look smaller?

Pores on the nose can look larger with oily skin, mild breakouts or less firm skin, the AAD says, and a product with retinol or retinyl palmitate may help, though not while pregnant or breastfeeding.

What actually works to remove blackheads?

The steps with dermatology sources behind them are plain: gentle cleansing, salicylic acid, a retinoid and time. Check the ingredient list, not the label.

Is it better to squeeze a blackhead or leave it?

Leave it. The AAD says squeezing out a blackhead while you wait for your skin to clear can delay clearing. Its advice page is titled "Pimple popping: Why only a dermatologist should do it."

Our sources do not recommend metal extractors or pore vacuums at home either. If a spot is painful, inflamed or large, or a big blackhead sits where you cannot see it well, such as on your back, ask a doctor or pharmacist.

What pulls blackheads out immediately?

Nothing we can point to with a source. Duct tape, pore strips, toothpaste, baking soda and lemon juice come up as quick fixes, but none of our dermatology sources recommend them, so neither do we. Can toothpaste remove blackheads? No: toothpaste is made for teeth, not skin.

What the sources support works over weeks, not minutes: salicylic acid, a retinoid and patience.

Does salicylic acid work for blackheads?

Yes, according to the AAD: because salicylic acid unclogs pores and exfoliates the skin, it is most effective on blackheads and whiteheads. It is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), found in Korean cleansers, toners, pads and serums. Some formulas use betaine salicylate or willow bark instead, which their brands also call BHA; the AAD advice is about salicylic acid itself.

• Start with one acid product. If you already use other acids or a retinoid, check which skincare ingredients not to mix first.
• Follow the product's directions and start slowly.
• If your skin stings or feels tight, use it less often.

Whiteheads and closed comedones: what helps?

A whitehead, also called a closed comedone, is a clogged pore that has closed over. The AAD describes it as a tiny bump that looks white or flesh-colored. The approach matches blackheads: salicylic acid, plus a retinoid, which dermatologists recommend to unclog pores. The AAD adds that one retinoid, adapalene, can be bought without a prescription. It writes for US readers, so ask a pharmacist what is available where you live.

Not every white bump is a whitehead: if you are unsure, ask a doctor or pharmacist before trying to remove one.

A weekly routine for clogged pores

This routine builds on the NHS advice: a gentle cleanser twice a day and non-comedogenic products.

Removing makeup: on oily skin, skip oil-based cleansers, as the AAD advises, and wash a little longer with a gentle cleanser. On other skin, a cleansing oil and then a gentle cleanser is an option; our double cleansing guide explains how.

How to choose products for skin prone to blackheads

Pick one main BHA step (salicylic acid or betaine salicylate), then add extras only if you want them.

• COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser 150ml is a foaming salicylic acid cleanser that COSRX calls non-drying. It lists fragrance and tea tree leaf oil, so patch test if your skin is sensitive.
• AXIS-Y Daily Purifying Treatment Toner 200ml pairs salicylic acid with gluconolactone for combination and breakout-prone skin that still needs hydration, the brand says. It contains lavender and tea tree leaf oils, so patch test if sensitive.
• COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner 150ml combines glycolic acid and betaine salicylate. The brand calls it a mild daily toner for all skin types and advises a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen by day. Its ingredient list includes no fragrance.
• COSRX Two in One Poreless Power Liquid 100ml is a betaine salicylate essence-toner that the brand says visibly tightens and reduces the look of pores. Its ingredient list includes no fragrance.
• NeoGen Dermalogy Poreraser Clear BHA Pad 160ml (90 Pads) holds 90 pads that, NeoGen says, clear sebum and impurities within the pores with betaine salicylate and other exfoliating acids.
• Hanskin BHA Pore Cleansing Oil 300ml is a cleansing oil that the brand says removes waterproof makeup, with a BHA added (the ingredient list shows betaine salicylate). It lists essential oils such as orange peel, lavender and eucalyptus. Following the AAD caution, skip it on oily skin.
• Beplain Mung Bean Pore Clay Mask 120ml is a kaolin and bentonite wash-off mask that Beplain describes as cleansing sebum in the pore area; rinse after 3 to 5 minutes, as longer wear can dry skin, the brand says. It lists essential oils, so patch test first.

For more options, browse Keauty's pore care collection, chemical exfoliators and wash-off masks. Our guide to skincare for oily, breakout-prone skin goes further, and the skin quiz helps if you are unsure of your skin type.

How long does it take, and do blackheads ever fully go away?

The AAD says to give what you use for blackheads and whiteheads six to eight weeks to work, and to consider seeing a dermatologist if you still see blemishes after that. The BAD says to expect at least 12 weeks of use before you see much improvement.

Do they go away for good? A cleared pore can clog again, so see the routine as ongoing care.

FAQ

Are blackheads alive, or a kind of worm?

No. A blackhead is a pore clogged with excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria, as the AAD explains, not a worm or any other creature.

Do clay masks remove blackheads?

None of the sources behind this guide show that they do. Brands describe clay masks as absorbing excess sebum; if you enjoy one, use it as directed alongside your salicylic acid step.

Is oil cleansing good for skin prone to blackheads?

Not if your skin is oily: the AAD advises against oil-based cleansers for oily skin because they can irritate it. On other skin a cleansing oil can remove makeup and sunscreen, but no source here shows it removes blackheads.

Can I use salicylic acid every day?

Some products, such as a daily cleanser, are made for it; others suit a few evenings a week. Follow the directions, start slowly and cut back if your skin stings.

Can I use retinol while pregnant or breastfeeding?

No. The AAD says not to use products containing retinol or retinyl palmitate while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives.

Keauty sells some of the products mentioned here.

Sources

1. How to treat different types of acne. AAD.
2. Acne Vulgaris: Comedonal Acne. Wong CM et al., 2024.
3. Sebaceous Filaments. Singh Y et al., 2021.
4. Adult acne treatment dermatologists recommend. AAD.
5. What can treat large facial pores? AAD.
6. Acne. NHS.
7. How to control oily skin. AAD.
8. Pimple popping: Why only a dermatologist should do it. AAD.
9. Acne patient information leaflet. BAD.

This is general cosmetic information. Skin differs from person to person, so patch test new products and ask a doctor or pharmacist about any skin condition.