Blackheads also known as ‘open’ comedones are follicles filled with excess oil, debris and dead skin cells which oxidise, giving them a black or dark appearance. Although anyone can suffer from blackheads, they appear most commonly on an oily skin type and can be present at the early stages of mild to moderate acne. Most people will experience blackheads at some point in their lives this can be due to many different factors including excess oil production or an insufficient use of a skincare regime.

As blackheads are most commonly seen on oily skin types, you may be able to identify them if you can see the following signs:

• Bumpy appearance with black/dark coloured spots, individual or clustered
• Enlarged pores
• Excess oil production
• Build-up of dead skin cells

What causes blackheads?

Blackheads occur when open follicles are filled with excess oil, debris and dead skin cells. When the plug of oil, debris and skin cells is exposed to oxygen a process called oxidation occurs which results in the black/dark appearance. Although most commonly found on the T-zone which includes the forehead, nose and chin blackheads can appear anywhere where follicles are present on the face and body.

There are many reasons why blackheads can appear on the skin, factors that can contribute to blackheads:

• Non comodogenic products
• Medications
• Hormonal influences
• Lack of good nutrition
• Lifestyle and stress
• Free radicals including environmental factors, smoking and drinking