Blackheads are the bane of a clear skin and face and are notoriously difficult to handle. How does one get rid of such an unwanted guest on their face? In order to arrive at a cure, it is necessary to identify a cause. When someone refers to a “blackhead,” they are usually referring to an open comedo, an yellow or blackish bump protruding from the skin. There are many causes for blackheads, but the most commonly accepted cause is that of a clogged pore due to excess oils secreted by the sebaceous gland’s duct. The oils cannot escape due to irregularly shaped pores or excess dead skin cells piling up. As the oils are exposed to oxygen, they react and form blackheads. How does one prevent blackheads then? Since oil buildup is a common culprit, it is paramount for one to avoid greasy make-up products. Any oily product is a no-no. Look for products for oily and problem skin and do not wear thick makeup that tends to block pores. Cut out heavy makeup and oil based products and your chance of getting blackheads will drop significantly. Next, use a water soluble acne cleanser that is gentle on your skin. Try them out and see which is the least harsh on your skin. Word of caution here: Do not use bar soap! The ingredients found in bar soap can and will clog the pores in your skin. Furthermore, the harsh grating of the soap can cause skin cells to flake and clog pores. This introduces a catch-22. If you have excessively dry skin, you will need to employ a cleanser that also moisturizes, but use it sparingly and with caution. The excess moisturizers may cue a reaction. To get rid of blackheads, the first thing you should do is use a mild scrub to gently remove any of the dead cells around the area. Then dry your face. Next use a warm towel to cover the affected area to soften the blackhead for about fifteen minutes. Dry again. Gently apply even pressure to the blackhead with tissue in between the tip of each of your fingers. Push down then around the blemish, being careful not to bruise the skin. If you do not “pop” the blackhead on the first or second try, stop. You may make the problem worse. If that doesn’t work, invest in some beta hydroxy acid and apply it regularly to the affected area. It has been proven to reduce and prevent blackheads. A Benzoyl Peroxide facial cleanser has also proven very effective against treating blackheads. Make sure you use an adequate strength, with 2.5 being the standard to follow. When all else fails, make a visit to your local dermatologist to determine if you need to be put on hormone blockers.