Blackheads are small, dark bumps on the skin, also known as open comedones. They take their name from the colour of the surface of the bump, and are commonly found on the face, chest and back.
Blackheads occur when oil, bacteria and dead skin cells get trapped in the pore and form a plug. The skin over the bump can then form a microscopic hole which will expose the sebum (oil that keeps the skin soft) inside to oxygen, which then oxidises and turns to a black or dark hue. If this bump stays closed, it's known as a whitehead.
Blackheads can be prevented by following a skincare routine that limits the build up of dead skin cells. Try to use AAHA’s in your routine (alpha hydroxy acids) which are chemical compounds that can be naturally occurring or synthetic. Many are derived from organic sugars, with glycolic acid and lactic acid. It's also advisable to use non-comedogenic makeup, such as mineral-based cosmetics.
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