5 Things Dermatologists Want You to STOP Doing to Your Blackheads & Whiteheads
If you're doing any of these things to your blackheads and whiteheads, you might be making your pores way angrier than they need to be.
Published:
1 minute read
Blackheads. Whiteheads. Same pore buildup. Different chaos.
Here's what dermatologists want you to know about treating your clogged pores 👇
1. Stop Squeezing Whiteheads (Here’s What's Actually Happening)
We get it. A whitehead looks ready.
But squeezing it doesn’t “clean” the pore—it pushes bacteria and oil deeper, increasing the risk of inflammation, scarring or dark spots.
What’s really happening:
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Pressure ruptures the pore wall
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Bacteria spreads sideways
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Healing takes longer (and looks worse)
Do this instead:
Use a salicylic acid cleanser to dissolve the clog inside the pore over time - no trauma required.
Dr. Pimple Popper's Daily SA Cleanser
2. Stop Using Pore Strips as Your Main Treatment
Yes, they’re satisfying.
No, they are not treatment.
Pore strips only remove the top of the blackhead—not the oil and dead skin still lining the pore.
Why this backfires:
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Pores refill fast
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Skin barrier gets irritated
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Oil production can increase as a rebound response
Do this instead:
Use chemical exfoliation with AHAs and BHAs to clear pores from the inside out.
Keep Pores Clear Between Extractions
3. Stop Thinking Blackheads Are Dirt
Blackheads aren’t dirty pores.
They’re oxidized oil exposed to air.
Scrubbing harder won’t “clean” them away—it just irritates your skin.
Do this instead:
Focus on oil-soluble exfoliants (hello, salicylic acid) that can penetrate into the pore lining.
4. Stop Skipping Moisturizer Because You’re Acne-Prone
When you skip moisturizer, your skin often responds by producing more oil, which leads to—you guessed it—more blackheads and whiteheads.
What happens when skin is dry:
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Barrier weakens
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Oil production spikes
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Pores clog faster
Do this instead:
Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep skin balanced.
Barrier-Supporting Hydration
5. Stop Treating Clogged Pores Like Inflamed Pimples
Blackheads and whiteheads ≠ cysts and pustules.
Using harsh spot treatments meant for inflamed acne can over-dry and irritate clogged pores, making them linger longer.
Why this matters:
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Clogged pores need exfoliation, not aggression
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Over-treating delays turnover
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Skin gets stuck in a clog cycle
Do this instead:
Use pore-safe exfoliation consistently, not as a last resort.
The Bottom Line
Blackheads and whiteheads don’t need:
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Popping
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Over-scrubbing
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One-and-done fixes
They need consistent, pore-smart care.
If you want fewer clogs:
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Cleanse with salicylic acid
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Exfoliate gently but regularly
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Support your skin barrier
That’s how dermatologists actually keep pores clear—and why routines like the SLMD Acne System are built the way they are.
✨ Less squeezing. More strategy.
