A pesky part of beauty, whiteheads are just as irritating as their counterparts when it comes to skin breakouts. Funnily enough, most of us never bother to read up on the reason for whiteheads, although we 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 a stop to all our whitehead woes.
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 is to first find out the reason for whiteheads. While a whitehead may seem like it just surfaced overnight, their 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
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 worsen during their menstrual cycle. As estrogen decreases, progesterone levels increase, signaling 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 Appear
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.
Products To Use For Whitehead Removal
Most of us believe that the only way to get rid of 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.
1. 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.
Recommended: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
2. 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.
Recommended: Jeju Volcanic Lava Scrub Foam
3. 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 a toner that tightens pores and helps strengthen the skin’s natural oil and water balance.
Recommended: Lakme Absolute Pore Fix Toner
4. Best Whiteheads Removal Cream
An ideal whitehead 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.
Recommended: Mamaearth Oil-Free Moisturizer With Apple Cider Vinegar For Acne Prone Skin
5. 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 absolutely purified from within. A whitehead removal mask should ideally be used only once a week.
Recommended: The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask
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