How to Safely Extract Blackheads

Manual extractions to remove clogged pores and blackheads are a common step in a professional facial. When it is not possible to get in for a facial, you can remove them yourself. Here is my expert skincare advice for how to extract blackheads to keep your pores clean and clear without harming the skin.

Note: Do not use this method for inflamed acne .

Before we begin, here are two simple products that you can add to your routine that provide excellent results. I have used this combination on anyone ranging from hormonal blackhead-prone teenage men to mature women with oily, acne-prone skin.

• Bion Gentle Cream Cleanser: Cream cleansers do an amazing job at breaking down and dissolving oil-based impurities in the skin.
• Skin Script Glycolic Cleanser: This 17% glycolic cleanser breaks down oil and encourages cellular turnover to minimize oil and refine pores to reveal fresh, healthy skin.

• Cellophane/Plastic Wrap
• Two damp, hot washcloths
• Facial Tissue
• Professional-grade swabs
• Cream Cleanser
• Glycolic-Based Cleanser
• Toner
• Moisturizer

For the best results, follow this plan right after a long, hot shower. Doing so will soften the hardened oil in the pores, making for easier extraction.

After showering, mix your cream or oil cleanser with the glycolic cleanser and apply generously to your blackhead-prone areas. By using an oil-based cleanser, you will create a temporary occlusive that keeps heat and moisture trapped in the skin, which is necessary for easy extractions.

Next, cover the area with plastic wrap and apply two hot, damp washcloths for five minutes. The top cloth will help the first one retain its heat.

Remove the plastic and rinse away the cleansers with a soft cloth.

Wrap tissue over each forefinger and gently squeeze to remove blackheads or clogged pores. The goal with squeezing is to avoid positioning the fingers too close as this won’t allow the blackhead to come out. Widen your fingers out a bit and think of working an ice cube up and out of a rubber ice tray. Additionally, you can use professional-grade swabs, such as Clean Skin Club Clean Swabs.

To avoid creating squeeze marks, go easy, and be sure to relocate the position of your fingers as you work the blackhead out of the skin. The general rule is, three strikes and you’re out. If it doesn’t come out after three tries, it is not ready. Leave it alone or you will risk damaging the skin or potentially breaking a capillary.

When finished, wipe over the skin with a soothing antiseptic toner such as Rhonda Allison Mandelic Purifying Tonic. This removes any bacteria left on the skin that can cause more breakouts in the future.

If you would like further detoxification, try following this process with the Face Reality Soothing Clay Mask. This non-drying clay mask pulls impurities from the skin and refines pore size and texture. A clay mask also aids in tightening pores after extractions.

To finish your routine, I recommend rehydrating, restoring, and calming redness with a gel mask that you can leave on. A great product for this is Botnia Soothing Repair Mask.

I hope that you now feel more confident to try to extract blackheads at home without leaving marks and scars. The trick is to avoid any inflamed pimples, and only extract blackheads that are not inflamed. If you do have any remaining questions on extractions, we are always here to help.