What Are Whiteheads and How Do You Deal With Them?

We’ve all been there before—you wake up, begin your morning beauty routine, and notice a whitehead has taken up residence on your face. You panic and frantically search “How do I remove whiteheads?”—only to find that this common skincare concern has left you with more questions than answers. Alas, if this blemish type is a problem for you, we’ve got you covered.

Is popping whiteheads a good idea? How do I get rid of whiteheads? And better yet, how do I get rid of a whitehead pimple on my nose? While those are all valid queries, you needn’t worry because we have some solutions. So keep reading for everything you need to know about what causes whiteheads, how to identify them, and how to treat them.

What Are Whiteheads?

A whitehead is a type of blemish that forms when oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria build up in pores causing a blockage, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). If the pore appears more white, that’s a whitehead; if the pore stays open and appears black, that’s a blackhead. These pesky blemishes are pretty common, but the good news is that there are steps you can take to help manage whiteheads, which are a pretty mild form of acne.

What Do Whiteheads Look Like?

Whiteheads look like a raised bump on the skin with a white dot in the center. The raised skin may appear red or inflamed, depending on your complexion, with an enlarged or small white center that is usually filled with fluid that gives this blemish its white color. 

What Causes Whiteheads?

Whiteheads form when your pores get clogged with oil or dead skin, similar to other types of blemishes. According to The Cleveland Clinic, when oil and dead skin accumulate in your pores, your follicles or sebaceous glands (another way of saying oil glands) close to create a visible bump on your skin. Blackheads, on the other hand, are similarly the result of dirt and oil on the skin but the blemish is open. 

What Happens if You Pop a Whitehead?

If you’re trying to figure out how to get rid of whiteheads, note that popping your whiteheads to remove them is not a great idea. As tempting as it is, doing this can worsen acne by spreading bacteria, delaying natural healing, and can lead to dark spots or even post-acne scars. If you got ahead of yourself and already started picking, take this opportunity to test out a spot treatment or put a pimple patch on your blemish and then let it resolve on its own. 

Now, let’s say you did give into temptation and have already popped that whitehead and now have a stubborn dark spot—what to do? After cleansing, turn to a gentle exfoliant like L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel. Visibly fade dark spots and renew your skin’s texture with this solution up to four times a week. This unique combination of AHAs, BHA, and PHA is inspired by professional peels to bring you brighter, even skin. (Check out a before and after below!)

If a serum is a part of your routine, add a dark spot serum like L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum to reduce the appearance of dark pigmentation from post-acne marks, sun spots, and age dark spots. Follow up this serum with a lightweight moisturizer and sunscreen for the ultimate post-acne skincare routine. L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion offers a lightweight, invisible formula that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots while protecting skin against the sun’s UV rays.

Along with daily SPF, remember to take additional sun protection measures like limiting your amount of time in the sun during peak hours. When outdoors, seek shade and wear a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

What Ingredients Help With Whiteheads?

If you have whiteheads, there are a few ingredients to look for in your skincare products. According to the AAD, retinoids and exfoliating acids like salicylic acid can be effective ways to temper whiteheads. Exfoliation is key to keeping dirt and oil buildup at bay, but it’s important to differentiate the treatments for sloughing away dead skin. 

Chemical exfoliants commonly found in gels, lotions, soaps, toner pads, and creams use alpha and beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid and glycolic acid to break excess skin cells down to clear out pores. All of these can be used to tackle whiteheads on your nose, chin, or any other spots. Physical or mechanical exfoliants, as noted by the AAD, remove dead skin cells and dirt using a tool like a beauty sponge, brush, or scrub.

Keep in mind that it can take a few weeks to notice results from acne skincare products, so be consistent with your skincare routine. The AAD points out that some acne skincare products can be drying to the skin. Follow the directions on the packaging, which should tell you how much to use. 

How To Prevent Whiteheads

There are a few steps you can take to help reduce your chances of getting whiteheads in the future, according to the AAD. For starters, look for skincare products that are oil-free, non-comedogenic, and alcohol-free to avoid irritation. You should also avoid squeezing or picking at whiteheads (easier said than done, we know), excessively scrubbing the skin, or using harsh exfoliants. 

It’s important to develop a solid skincare routine that can help to prevent whiteheads. Keep reading for more of our top tips to avoid or treat whiteheads. 

1. Cleanse your skin morning and night

The first step in your skincare routine—whether you have whiteheads or not—should always be washing your face.Use a face wash like L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser, which eliminates all traces of dirt, sweat, oil, and makeup. This cleanser is formulated with glycolic acid and salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and resurface skin while minimizing the appearance of pore size, resulting in a smoother-looking complexion.

2. Choose your products carefully

According to the AAD, all types of exfoliation are not made equally—a chemical exfoliant can do wonders for your acne while a physical exfoliant like a scrub may make your acne worse and cause skin irritation. As for how often to use these treatments, start slow so you don’t irritate your skin and build up use as your skin tolerates it. Incorporating a serum like L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum into your daytime routine will bring the efficiency of a non-comedogenic formula. This non-greasy formula, which includes a potent form of vitamin C, helps reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines while increasing radiance to your face. When night falls, reach for L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol with soothing ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to help balance the potential drying effect of daily retinol use. Keep your skin moisturized overnight without gunking up pores. 

3. Moisturize daily

Contrary to popular belief, allowing acne-prone skin to get dehydrated is not the way to counteract oiliness. Since whiteheads and other forms of acne can result in greasy skin, it may feel odd to turn to a moisturizer for relief. However, if your acne treatment contains a drying ingredient like benzoyl peroxide, an oil-free moisturizer is key. Hydrate your skin and visibly replump fine lines with L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream, a lightweight facial moisturizer with Micro Hyaluronic Acid and ceramides to help attract and lock in moisture for your skin. 

Next Up: Is There a Safe Way to Pop Pimples?

Photo Courtesy of L’Oréal Paris