What Causes Whiteheads And How To Remove Them

A pesky beauty woe, whiteheads are just as irritating as their counterparts, when we speak of blackheads and breakouts. Funnily enough, most of us have never bothered to read up on the reasons behind whiteheads, even though we’ve spent most of our adulthood garnering self-control so we can, for once, stop popping them. But no more! It’s finally time to put an end to all our whitehead woes.

Whiteheads are a type of acne vulgaris that occur when your pores get clogged and sebum gets trapped inside. While you may tempted to pop whiteheads, avoid doing so, as it can spread dirt, oil, and bacteria to other parts of the skin. Unlike hormonal acne and bacne, whiteheads are fairly easy to treat. With the right set of products and expert guidance, you can nip the problem in the bud.

As per a study, despite being a fairly common skin condition, acne can have a devastating physical and psychological effect on the lives of vulnerable adolescents. Hence, if you’re plagued by blackheads, whiteheads, or any other form of persistent acne, peruse our guide for the best tips, tricks, and solutions. Essentially, whiteheads can be eliminated by either of the following: over-the-counter topical treatments, prescription-strength topicals, or oral medication.

What Are Whiteheads?

Whiteheads are a mild form of acne and appear as small white bumps on the skin’s surface. When a pore gets clogged by sebum, dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria, it forms a round bump. Since the plug isn’t exposed to air, the tip remains white and hence is called a whitehead.

What Causes Whiteheads?

The key to effectively treating whiteheads involves finding out the reasons behind their occurrence. While a whitehead may seem like it just surfaced overnight, its formation can take up to two months. Since the small bump of an infected pore indicates that your skin is trying to push out bacteria, listed below is the answer to what causes whiteheads.

1. Puberty

Most cases of whiteheads come about during puberty, when hormonal changes cause an increase in the production of sebum. The brain releases a GnRH hormone, which tells the oil glands found beneath the skin to produce more oil. As excess sebum fills up the pores, the skin is unable to completely expel dead skin cells and bacteria, resulting in blocked follicles.

2. Genetics

Parents with a history of acne are likely to have children who struggle with the same skin condition. Genetics can impact your inflammatory response; some may respond to bacteria with a stronger inflammatory reaction than others, which could affect the severity of acne.

3. Stress

The higher the stress, the greater the chances of whiteheads. Glands that produce sebum are receptors for stress hormones. In a stressful situation, these oil-producing cells are unregulated, resulting in excess sebum production and a higher chance of pore blockage that could lead to breakouts.

4. Hormonal Changes

Many women also find that the appearance of whiteheads and other forms of acne worsens during their menstrual cycle. As estrogen decreases, progesterone levels increase, signalling the glands to produce more oil. Other hormonal causes of whiteheads also include pregnancy, menopause, or birth control pills.

5. Lifestyle Habits

While diet has not been proven to be an immediate cause, numerous studies have observed a connection between certain foods and the prevalence of whiteheads. There’s also been evidence that unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking, or an irregular sleep pattern can worsen existing breakouts.

Where Do Whiteheads Accumulate?

While whiteheads on the face are a more common phenomenon, there are other hotspots, too. Since the reason for whiteheads on the face is excess oil, all the oily zones of your body are prone to whiteheads. Listed below are some of the common spots for whiteheads on the face and body.

• Whiteheads on nose
• Whiteheads on lip
• Whiteheads on chin
• Whiteheads on cheek
• Whiteheads on forehead
• Whiteheads on back
• Whiteheads on scalp

Why Do I Get Whiteheads On My Body?

Whiteheads on the body may be caused due to oil, dirt, and grime clogging your pores. Congested pores may result from hormonal fluctuations, heavy sweating, or genetics. To help treat bacne and breakouts on the body, consider bathing with a suitable body wash, such as the Be Bodywise 1% Salicylic Acid Body Wash. If your condition doesn’t improve, consult a professional and seek medical intervention.

Do Whiteheads Go Away On Their Own?

Yes, whiteheads usually disappear on their own. Ensure you don’t pop them to prevent the bacteria from spreading to other regions of the body. Keep a spot treatment, pimple patch, and exfoliant handy to treat pesky bumps. Although, beware, as whiteheads can reappear at a later time.

Products To Use For Whitehead Removal

Most of us believe that the only way to eliminate whiteheads is by popping them. Sorry to burst your bubble but that’s not true. There are several whitehead removal products that not only help you to treat them but also act as great measures of prevention in the first place. Below is a rundown of the products that remove whiteheads from the face like a wonder.

Best Face Wash For Whiteheads

The ideal face wash for whiteheads should feature Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide. This combination kills bacteria and sloughs off dead skin cells. Once you’ve found the best face wash for whiteheads, use it to wash your face at least twice a day.

Nykaa Recommends: The Natural Wash Anti-Acne Face Wash, Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser and Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash

Best Scrub For Whiteheads

After using the correct face wash for whiteheads, it’s time to move on to the best scrub for whiteheads. Look for an exfoliator that is gentle and efficient enough to pull out the daily dirt and grime that blocks pores and causes whiteheads.

Nykaa Recommends: Aminu Face Scrub,Neutrogena Deep Clean Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub, and The Face Shop Smart Peeling Honey Black Sugar Scrub

Best Toner For Whiteheads

While a good whitehead removal toner probably cannot help you get rid of existing whiteheads, regular use of a pore-cleansing toner helps keep them at bay. Invest in a toner that tightens pores and helps strengthen the skin’s natural oil and water balance.

Nykaa Recommends: Lakmé Absolute Pore Fix Toner,The Face Shop White Seed Brightening Toner, and COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Best Whiteheads Removal Cream

An ideal whiteheads removal cream should be lightweight, so the formula doesn’t settle in pores and clog them. It should also provide light hydration without adding to the already high oil content of your skin.

Nykaa Recommends: Biotique Bio Winter Green Spot Correcting Anti Acne Cream for Oily & Acne Prone Skin,Mamaearth Oil Free Moisturizer With Apple Cider Vinegar For Acne Prone Skin, and Kaya Comedone Control Serum

Best Whitehead Removal Mask

Some of the best whitehead removal masks are mud masks, charcoal masks, or clay masks. These ingredients pull out the impurities settled in the deepest layers of your skin and leave your pores purified from within. A whitehead removal mask should ideally be used only once a week.

Nykaa Recommends: Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask,The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask, and The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask

Final Takeaway

Blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples can be a recurring hassle; but worry not, for the right treatment at the right time can help minimise their occurrence. The rule of thumb is to ensure you don’t pop whiteheads to limit the bacteria from spreading to other parts of the face and body. Maintain optimal skin hygiene by cleansing your skin twice a day with a suitable face wash, followed by a toner, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q. If nothing else works, is it okay to pop whiteheads?

  A. Popping is the easiest and most instant way to remove whiteheads from the face, but it leads to scarring. However, if it’s a last resort, make sure you use the correct whitehead removal tool. The Gorgio Professional Black Head Remover Pin Pointed) does a good job of extracting whiteheads. Sterilise the area, your hands and your whitehead removal tool with an antibacterial agent. Once you’ve extracted the contents of the pore, clear the area and use ice to calm the inflamed pore.

• Q. I have a major issue with whiteheads on my nose. Every time I get rid of them, new ones seem to pop up overnight. How can I have a clear nose?

  A. Whiteheads on nose removal is fairly easy since the area is soft and the breakouts aren’t stubborn. Nose strips work best for people with an oily T-zone that ultimately results in a troubled nose. Look for charcoal nose strips like the HipHop Charcoal Nose Strips for Women - Blackhead Remover or the The Face Shop Jeju Volcanic Lava Fresh Nose Strips .

• Q. What is a spot treatment for whiteheads? Does it work?

  A. Spot treatment of a whitehead means treating every affected pore with a Q-tip instead of applying the product all over the face. Treat inflamed whiteheads with a few drops of the Nykaa Naturals Essential Oil or use whitehead removal products like the Winston Rechargeable Whitehead & Blackhead Remover and Panache Blackhead & Whitehead Remover.

• Q. If my skin is more prone to whiteheads, what are the ingredients that I should look for in skincare products?

  A. While picking out whitehead removal products, look for ingredients like Benzoyl Peroxide, Resorcinol, Sulfur, Glycolic Acid or Salicylic Acid. Also, Topical Retinoids balance sweat gland production which in turn prevents pore clogging. Other features that you should look for are fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, water-based, and emollient products.

• Q. People often advise me not to wear makeup since my skin is very prone to whiteheads. Is makeup one of the causes of whiteheads on the face?

  A. While most makeup products may not be an immediate cause of skin breakouts, piling on layers of foundation can aggravate the problem over time. You need to be smart while picking out cosmetics. Look for non-comedogenic products that are meant for oily skin. Lightweight formulas that aren’t oil-based work best on your skin. Opt for powder-based matte formulas instead of creamy or liquid-based ones. Also, instead of layering your entire face, build coverage over troublesome areas by spot-treating with a concealer. This way you’re preventing the occurrence of more breakouts without compromising on a flawless base. Also, as a thumb rule, always remove your makeup and thoroughly cleanse your face before you go to sleep at night.

• Q. Can I trust oral medication for whitehead treatment?

  A.Though oral treatment containing Isotretinoin is easily available over the counter these days, we recommend you consult your dermatologist before you decide to pop a pill since it tends to make your skin painfully dry.

• Q. What dos and don’ts should I follow if my skin is prone to whiteheads?

  Below are some of the dos and don’ts that you should keep in mind:

  • Don’t touch your face unnecessarily; by doing so you’re transferring dirt and bacteria
  • Avoid prolonged sun exposure
  • If you have a lot of whiteheads on your back, opt for comfortable clothing in non-synthetic fabrics to let the skin breathe
  • Use caution while you shave the area
  • Make sure your hair care formulations don’t come in direct contact with the skin
  • While exfoliating, don’t be overly harsh on the skin. Scrubbing too hard could exacerbate whiteheads
  • Follow your CSMS skincare routine daily
  • Avoid picking at problem areas, even though you may be tempted to
  • When you’re talking over the phone, avoid resting it on your cheek. Instead, use headphones