8 Whitehead Treatments That Will Wipe Them Out Fast
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As common as it is to experience acne, (in fact about 85 percent of people ages 12 to 24 will experience it, according to the American Academy of Dermatology), it's still never fun when a breakout pops up and catches you off guard. Not only can it be confusing understanding the type of acne that you have, but you never know if post-acne scarring is in your future, which is another conversation entirely.
Still, there is one type of acne that feels pretty universally annoying: whiteheads. They are a skin-care frustration shared by many and get their name from the white-hued bump that develops just under the surface of the skin. "[They] are formed when a pore gets blocked," board-certified dermatologist Robyn Gmyrek previously told PS. "Inside the blocked pore, dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria get trapped." Also called closed comedones, whiteheads are typically small and round in appearance and can sometimes break open and become oozy.
Dealing with a whitehead can be quite a task, but if you're anything like us, the quest to find the best whitehead products is, dare we say . . . kind of enjoyable? Prevention is the ultimate goal, but when you inevitably wake up with a new friend on your nose, you'll want to have the right treatments on hand. From acne patches to moisturizers, the following whitehead treatments should be in your medicine cabinet.
Experts Featured in This Article
Robyn Gmyrek is a dermatologist based in New York City.
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Best Toner For Whiteheads
CosRx's AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid ($22)
After cleansing, follow up with a toner that doubles down on whitehead prevention like this one from CosRx. It combines the skin-clarifying and resurfacing powers of glycolic acid, apple water, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.
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Best Retinol For Whiteheads
Differin Gel ($15)
Retinoids are considered one of the best ingredients you can use to prevent and treat whiteheads, according to Dr. Gmyrek. This ingredient helps dissolve built-up skin cells and debris, thereby keeping skin clearer. She suggested this gel, which is a prescription-strength treatment that you can buy over the counter.
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Best Physical Exfoliant For Whiteheads
Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash ($21, originally $30)
Dr. Gymyrek also recommends a "mild but regular exfoliation of the skin with granular scrubs," and that's where this scrub from Philosophy comes in. She said you can also use a facial scrubbing brush.
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Best Facial Oil For Whiteheads
Herbivore's Lapis Oil Balancing Facial Oil ($74)
While exfoliation and resurfacing are key for preventing and treating whiteheads, adequate moisturizing is also important. This facial oil contains blue tansy, an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient that reduces redness and clarifies.
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Best Moisturizer For Whiteheads
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($15) Another moisturizer option is this facial lotion from CeraVe, Daniel J. Aires, director of the dermatology division at the University of Kansas Health System, previously told POPSUGAR. He says that prescription-strength treatments, including Tretinoin, can be applied over a thin layer of CeraVe to help keep skin from getting too dry.
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Best Pimple Patches For Whiteheads
Peace Out's Acne Healing Dots ($19)
For a magical overnight fix, throw on one of these healing dots. These circular spot treatments are made from hydrocolloid bandages, which actively extract impurities, and also contain salicylic acid, vitamin A (retinol), and aloe vera.
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Best Acne Gel Treatment For Whiteheads
I Dew Care Fix My Zit ($7, originally $14)
This spot-gel treatment won a 2023 POPSUGAR Beauty award for a reason: it works. After three days of use in the mornings and at night, editors noticed that the nonsticky gel stopped blemishes in their tracks.
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Best Face Mask For Whiteheads
Pore Purity ($20)
This mask acts just like the brand's signature pimple patches, but instead of leaving it on overnight, it will bring your pimple to a head in just a few short hours. If you're nervous about any post acne scarring, give this product a try.
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— Additional reporting by Ariel Baker
Wendy Gould is a lifestyle writer and photographer. She is a former contributing editor at XoVain and has written for Refinery29, ModCloth, InStyle, The Klog, and others.
Ariel Baker is the associate editor for PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.