Don't miss: Survival Guide

How to Prevent Whiteheads & Blackheads

Mar 4, 2011 / By Elizabeth Chaplin

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Destroy blackheads and whiteheads before they destroy your skin.

Photo: Stockbyte/Valueline/Getty Images

Whiteheads and blackheads are completely awful and deserve to be annihilated before they even form. Sadly, many people get whiteheads and blackheads, even if they take good care of their skin. Whiteheads form when junk under skin -- like dead skin cells and oils -- builds up and form a hard, white bump. Blackheads are formed by the same thing, except the pore is opened, exposing the buildup to air. That's what makes it turn black. Give your skin a pick-me-up by saying goodbye to whiteheads and blackheads forever.

The first step is most obvious; keep your skin clean. Wash your face with a mild face wash or an acne wash containing benzoyl peroxide no more than two to three times per day. Over-washing your face can actually make whiteheads and blackheads worse.

Pat your skin dry instead of wiping it. This puts less stress on the skin.

Shampoo your hair. Wait a minute -- what does shampooing your hair have to do with whitehead and blackhead prevention? A lot, actually. Greasy hair that is constantly touching your skin contributes to buildup in the pores.

Watch out for cosmetics, lotions and other facial products that contain oil and fragrances. These types of products only worsen skin troubles. Also, use products that are labeled "non-comedogenic," which helps keep your pores clear.

Never, ever, ever squeeze or pick at whiteheads of blackheads. It may be tempting, but doing this can actually push the buildup deeper into the skin and result in scarring.

1.Mild face wash

2.Soft towel

It may seem like a good idea to use astringents made for blackhead removal. However, these are extremely harsh on your skin and actually make your acne problems worse.