What causes blackheads and how are they treated?

Blackheads are one of the most common types of pimples, especially among people with oily skin. Where it was once believed that blackheads were caused from not washing the skin, it is now known that they are actually caused by oil build-up on the skin.

The "black" appearance of blackheads is caused by the oxidizing of air on the oil clogging the pores and causing the pimple known as a blackhead. The melanin pigment in the skin also contributes to their dark color. The best way to remove blackheads is to remove their cause, excessive oil and dead skin cells.

You should use gentle products to treat and eliminate blackheads. Harsh products can actually strip the skin of needed oil, which, in turn, causes it to produce more oil, which then blocks the pores and causes the process to begin all over again.

Some people prefer using natural products that contain natural oils to cleanse the skin, as they are often more gentle. Many of these oils are close to our natural oils, so they don't block pores like many synthetic products.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I'm sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

To remove dead skin cells, it is advisable to use a gentle exfoliant everyday. This keeps pores from becoming blocked by the dead skin cells. Take care to use this product gently as well, so as not to over exfoliate and irritate the skin.

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