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Skin concern

Blackheads

Primary source

Blackheads: small, dark spots that form when a pore stays open and the plug of sebum and dead skin at the surface oxidises and darkens. They are an open form of comedone, most common on the nose and chin. The strongest evidence comes from a 2023 human trial: In 83 adults with comedones, a serum containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid significantly improved open comedones on the nose, closed comedones on the face, skin pore density, sebum secretion and skin hydration from baseline after 8 weeks; adding a mask improved closed comedones more than the serum alone (-6.56 vs -5.19, p = 0.022). 3 ingredients have evidence for Blackheads: Salicylic Acid, Glycolic acid, Lactic Acid.

The studies here measured reductions in open-comedone counts or pore appearance over weeks, and several combined the treatment with physical extraction. Blackheads are one form of acne, whiteheads and pore pages cover the same root process.

Where the definition comes from

Source wording

“An important feature in the etiology of acne is the presence of pilosebaceous ductal hypercornification, which can be seen histologically as microcomedones and clinically as blackheads, whiteheads, and other forms of comedones.” — Cunliffe et al., Clin Dermatol 2004 (PMID 15556720).

Comedone formation: etiology, clinical presentation, and treatment Clinics in Dermatology (Cunliffe WJ, Holland DB, Jeremy A)

Ingredients at a glance

2023 · 83 people · adults with comedones (41 serum+mask, 42 serum alone) · PMID 36999489

Ingredient Measured outcome Based on Certainty Year
Salicylic Acid Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2023
Glycolic acid, Lactic Acid Skin effect Human trial Low 2015

Studies and results

  1. 1 Salicylic Acid Skin effect
    Efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid in acne management: A randomized controlled trial

    In 83 adults with comedones, a serum containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid significantly improved open comedones on the nose, closed comedones on the face, skin pore density, sebum secretion and skin hydration from baseline after 8 weeks; adding a mask improved closed comedones more than the serum alone (-6.56 vs -5.19, p = 0.022).

    Human trial · 2023 · 83 people · adults with comedones (41 serum+mask, 42 serum alone) · Adults in Shanghai with comedones, PIE and PIH, using the serum for 8 weeks. · Both groups used active products; improvements were reported against baseline and between the two active groups. Industry-funded. This is the trial found that counted open and closed comedones separately.

    PMID 36999489

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid in acne management: A randomized controlled trial
  2. 2 Glycolic acid Lactic Acid Skin effect
    The effect of physically applied alpha hydroxyl acids on the skin pore and comedone

    In 23 women, a single application of a 4% alpha-hydroxy acid solution combined with negative-pressure physical action significantly reduced whitehead and blackhead counts at 1, 2 and 4 weeks, and reduced pore area and number at week 1, compared with AHA peeling alone.

    Human trial · 2015 · 23 people · healthy women (mean age 30) · Healthy women receiving a single in-clinic application in a randomised split-face design, assessed at 1, 2 and 4 weeks. · The intervention was a single in-clinic chemical peeling plus negative-pressure physical action.

    PMID 26032934

    Read the full finding →
    Source:The effect of physically applied alpha hydroxyl acids on the skin pore and comedone

Study limits

Study conditions and measured outcomes.

  • Salicylic Acid Human trial · 2023

    Both groups used active products; improvements were reported against baseline and between the two active groups. Industry-funded. This is the trial found that counted open and closed comedones separately.

  • Glycolic acid, Lactic Acid Human trial · 2015

    The intervention was a single in-clinic chemical peeling plus negative-pressure physical action.

Products with a basis for this

12 products · AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution · Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Anti-Acne Serum · 2023 · 83 people · adults with comedones (41 serum+mask, 42 serum alone) · PMID 36999489

Common questions

Which ingredients have been studied for Blackheads?
Ingredients with evidence for Blackheads: Salicylic Acid, Glycolic acid, Lactic Acid.
How many people were studied?
2 findings · 2023 · 83 people · adults with comedones (41 serum+mask, 42 serum alone) · PMID 36999489
What can I use for Blackheads?
Salicylic Acid, Glycolic acid, Lactic Acid · 2023 · 83 people · adults with comedones (41 serum+mask, 42 serum alone) · PMID 36999489

Other concerns

Acne marks and scars Acne and breakouts Barrier damage Bumps and rough texture Closed comedones Combination skin Dark circles Dark spots Skincare for deeper skin tones Dehydrated skin Dryness Dull skin Eczema and atopic dermatitis Hyperpigmentation Large pores Loss of firmness Melasma Skincare for men Oily skin Skincare while on acne medication Peeling and flaking Perioral dermatitis Skincare during pregnancy Psoriasis Facial redness Rosacea Sebaceous filaments Sensitive skin Sun damage Sun protection Teenage skin Uneven skin tone Wrinkles and fine lines