TL;DR
- Comedones are blemishes that can either look like blackheads (when the pore stays open) or whiteheads (when the pore stays closed).
- The key to blasting your breakouts for good might just be in your own pantry. Apple cider vinegar, honey, and witch hazel all have proven benefits for breakouts.
- You can prevent comedones by using skincare products that support the skin barrier, rethinking your diet and exercise habits, and identifying lifestyle choices that may be contributing to your breakouts.
Comedones are just the official name for clogged pores. A closed comedone is a whitehead, a small, skin-colored bump where the pore stays sealed over the clog. An open comedone is a blackhead, where the pore stays open, and the clog darkens when it’s exposed to air.
Both form when oil and dead skin cells get trapped inside a pore, and both are incredibly common. And no, they don’t mean you’re dirty or doing something wrong. Comedones are actually one of the more manageable types of breakouts once you know what’s behind them.
Gentle exfoliation, clog-dissolving ingredients, and a routine with no pore-clogging ingredients can make a real difference. Here’s how to tell what you’re dealing with, what’s causing it, and how to get your skin back on track.
Closed vs Open Comedones
Comedones come in all shapes and sizes. The main difference between an open and a closed comedone is whether the pore opening lets air in.
When the pore stays open, the clog of sebum and dead skin cells hardens and oxidizes (reacts with the air), creating a blackhead. When the pore stays closed, the clog doesn’t oxidize, instead creating a whitehead.
The difference can be tricky, and this isn’t a pop quiz. You don’t have to know it off the top of your head.
Below is a table we’ve put together for easy reference.
| Type | Appearance | Feel | Cause | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteheads | Raised and white in the center | Bumpy but not hard | The pore remains closed, trapping the clog in the skin | Exfoliation and clog-dissolving ingredients |
| Blackheads | Raised or flat, and dark in the center | Often hard in the center | The pore remains open, causing oxidation | Exfoliation and clog-dissolving ingredients |
What Causes Closed Comedones?
As we mentioned above, comedones can be caused by any of the usual culprits behind the rest of your acne blemish woes. Comedones are actually extremely common in people whose pimples don’t result in inflammatory acne. In other words, comedones can and often do come up on their own, without other types of acne surrounding them.
If you are looking for an answer to what causes closed comedones on your own skin, look at your everyday habits. Of course, comedones can be caused by hormones raging in your body (for a variety of reasons, not just for puberty) or skin sensitivities and irritations. But comedones can pop up on their own in many situations.
If you use a lot of hair products, for instance, comedones may cause hairline acne. Also, if you have an item of clothing that is particularly tight around the hem (like a hat or shirt), comedones may start to show up in areas that chafe the skin. Closed comedones can also show up on the facial areas where the skin is thinner, but they can also be present on the body (like your back and chest).
Whiteheads and blackheads are usually easy to differentiate from other types of acne, as they will be small and present with a particularly colored head. They can also feel hard and bumpy, but they shouldn’t feel like tiny rocks under your skin. And unlike inflammatory acne, these breakouts are typically not super painful (unless they become infected with bacteria).
Closed Comedones vs. Milia
If you’ve read up on closed comedones, then you’ve also likely come across something called “milia.” But when it comes to closed comedones vs. milia, the two are normally easy to tell apart. Milia generally appear around the eyes and eyelids and are hard, white bumps that don’t “pop.”
Millia are very white or yellow bumps that occur in clusters on the skin. They form when dead skin cells don’t shed properly and become trapped in the skin, causing a cyst. Milia can be on the face or body and are not itchy or painful, though they may feel very hard.
If you’re not sure whether your blemishes are milia or comedones, it may be best to consult your dermatologist. They can help you get a proper diagnosis and let you know your best acne treatment options to get rid of them. Depending on their severity, chemical exfoliants can help extract them, or manual extraction may also be necessary.
6 Ingredients To Get Rid of Closed Comedones Naturally
Fortunately, comedones are one of the easiest types of acne to treat yourself at home without involving expensive office visits or prescription meds. Sure, they can seem stubborn, but simple changes to your routine and topical treatments for your pores can easily clear this type of acne blemish with minimal damage to your skin.
Don’t feel daunted if they don’t vanish overnight, though. Remember, when it comes to getting rid of closed comedones, trial and error and patience are your friends. Once you start to see results and those unwanted bumps start to fade away, you’ll be happy you stuck it out! Before you try popping your closed comedones, try these natural remedies instead.
Acne Fighting Products
Over-the-counter acne-fighting ingredients can help provide some of the best products for closed comedones. While these ingredients occur naturally in our bodies, sometimes we need a concentrated shot applied directly to our blemishes to help them disappear.
Look for products like our acne-safe scrub cleanser or a gentle mandelic acid serum (both of which are amazing for unclogging pores, if we do say so ourselves).
You may want to look for specific ingredients that can help target your particular acne woes more closely. Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and alpha-hydroxy acids are all naturally occurring ingredients that can help fight different types of pimples. Depending on your skin type and how sensitive it is, you may decide to choose one treatment option over the other.
Witch Hazel
When treating your breakouts, it's important to look for non-comedogenic products. Just FYI, but this just simply means that the ingredients in a particular product will not block or clog the pores in your skin.
That said, witch hazel is an amazing over-the-counter non-comedogenic astringent that can work wonders on your clogged pores. Not only does it leave your skin feeling nice and clean, but it can also help remove any residual bacteria (that pesky C. acnes) that can cause comedones.
Witch hazel can dry out sensitive skin, so make sure you’re only using it as directed to keep skin healthy. We suggest starting out by using it only a couple of times a week, then slowly titrating up once you know how your skin will respond.
Honey
Surprisingly, this pantry staple is supposed to do all kinds of good things for the skin, and it may help clear up breakouts. Honey actually has naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide as an ingredient and is also antibacterial. Not only is it incredibly yummy, but honey can be used directly on the face or in a mask made with other safe, common household ingredients.
Remember to find pure honey, though, as other additives can be harmful to your skin and lead to more breakouts. We recommend using local, organic, and raw honey, as it can contain good-for-you, allergen-fighting ingredients that help ward off adverse reactions and inflammation.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a naturally occurring antiseptic that has become a popular ingredient in many facial cleansers and treatments. This should always be diluted before applying topically, though.
Be careful to read up on the tea tree you buy and make sure you know the ingredients and that they are organic. You don’t want to put just anything on your skin.
Tea tree oil can also be harmful if ingested, so use it only topically and keep it away from your mucous membranes (like your nostrils, eyes, and mouth). That said, if you have extremely sensitive skin, you may want to stay away from this one or talk to a dermatologist first before experimenting with it.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has become very popular over the years for a whole myriad of naturally occurring benefits, so it’s no surprise that it may be good for your skin as well. With antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, swiping apple cider vinegar over your skin as an astringent can help tackle breakouts by taking out harmful bacteria and clearing out any gunk trapped in your pores.
Steam
Yes, you read that right: steam. A simple steam bath for your face can do wonders for your skin, whether you have pimples or not. You can buy an expensive facial steamer, but you don’t need to go that fancy; a basic setup can do the trick just as well.
Simply take a hot shower (but don’t let the hot water hit your face directly, as that can backfire and make your breakouts worse), or fill a bowl with hot water and hold your face close without touching the water. You can drape a towel over your head above the bowl to concentrate the steam towards your face and neck, too, if you like.
How To Get Rid of Closed and Open Comedones
Having a breakout can be overwhelming enough. You don’t need to add hours of internet research and stacks of dud products to your plate, too.
Our tried-and-true method of targeting comedones includes the following:
- Use a Gentle Cleanser: Choose a cleanser that gently removes buildup without compromising your skin barrier.
- Choose the Right Serum: Gentle, natural ingredients like the ones we use can have the same effect as clinical ingredients without the not-so-pretty side effects.
- Apply Non-Comedogenic Moisturizer: This is the big one. Use a moisturizer that will hydrate without clogging your pores back up.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help your skin regulate sebum production, which can reduce future clogs.
- Assess Your Diet: Sometimes, breakouts are actually the body’s way of communicating a problem. Notice where you might be eating ultra-processed foods or high-glycemic foods, and then try cutting them out to see how your skin responds.
- Get Moving: Exercise helps improve hormone balance and stress, which are huge culprits of surprise breakouts.
- Address Contributing Factors: Dirty makeup brushes and blenders, pillows and pillowcases, and frequent hand-touching can all introduce acne-causing bacteria to your pores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are comedones the same as blackheads and whiteheads?
The short answer? Yes, they are. The word “comedone” describes a mild type of blemish that can be either open (which makes blackheads) or closed (which makes whiteheads).
How do you get rid of comedones?
Simply put, you choose an approach and stick with it. You can start by adding acne-fighting ingredients, avoiding comedogenic ingredients, or giving your pillows a deep clean (or you can just dive right in with all three). Whatever you choose to start with, remember that consistency is key.
What skincare ingredients target comedones?
Beyond natural remedies like apple cider vinegar and honey, you might want to look for skincare ingredients that exfoliate and keep your pores clean. Think mandelic acid, gentle physical exfoliants, and bakuchiol.
How long does it take for comedones to go away?
If you’re consistent, you could see results in as early as six weeks. Yeah, managing comedonal acne is like playing the ultimate long game. And, if your pimples are really breaking out, it might take a little longer for your products to work their magic.
Can comedones go away on their own?
Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. Comedones that are close to the surface and stay calm might go away as the skin naturally renews itself. However, blemishes that are deep in the skin or already inflamed generally need a little extra help.
Should you pop or squeeze comedones?
No. We know it’s hard to resist sometimes. But popping pimples at home can introduce more bacteria to an already overloaded pore. It might be satisfying in the moment, but say it with us: It’s not worth the risk of infection.
Are comedones caused by hormones?
Sometimes! If you notice your skin breaking out close to your period, you’re not crazy. Pregnancy’s crazy hormonal fluctuations are another sneaky source of acne, along with high levels of testosterone (like in those with PMOS/PCOS).
When should you see a doctor for comedones?
If your breakouts stick around or keep coming back even with a consistent skincare routine, or if they start to feature painful, cyst-like blemishes, it’s time to see a professional. A dermatologist or functional doctor can help manually extract your comedones and help you identify skincare, diet, and lifestyle changes that might help.
The Takeaway
Closed comedones in the form of whiteheads and blackheads may sound like scary, unfamiliar things. In reality, they’re actually very common and easily treatable. Whether the comedones are popping up on their own or as part of a larger issue, whiteheads and blackheads happen to nearly everyone.
The first step in achieving healthy skin is learning about the issue and knowing how to treat your closed comedones once and for all. And with that knowledge now tucked securely away in your back pocket, you’ll be better armed with the tools to go fight your blemishes and finally get that smooth, bump-free skin you’ve always wanted.
Sources:
Is sports equipment causing your acne?
Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Acne Effects of Hamamelis virginiana Bark in Human Keratinocytes
Antibacterial Potency of Honey
Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties
Impact of Water Exposure and Temperature Changes on Skin Barrier Function
Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics
Diet and acne: A systematic review
The Effects of Physical Activity on Skin Health: A Narrative Review
