
8 best blackhead treatments for achieving smoother skin
Blackheads are a common skin concern. The tiny blocked pores sometimes feel like they never really go away, no matter how many times you've tried to get rid of them.
According to Dr Hiba Injibar, consultant dermatologist and founder of Dermasurge Clinic, blackheads are 'a type of acne caused by clogged pores filled with excess sebum, dead skin cells, and debris. Unlike whiteheads, which are closed, blackheads remain open, and the oxidation of trapped oil gives them their dark appearance. They usually develop in areas with high oil production, such as the nose, chin, and forehead.'
Despite how tempting it can be to squeeze blackheads and watch others doing so – #blackhead has one million views and counting on TikTok – it's actually one of the most damaging things you can do for your skin. Consultant dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips told me: 'Squeezing blackheads can damage the skin and put you at risk of infection, scarring and hyperpigmentation. You can also push the debris deeper into the pores, making the situation a lot worse.' Instead, he recommends a well-formulated skincare routine.
To tackle blackheads, Dr Injibar advises incorporating ingredients into your skincare routine that help exfoliate and unclog pores. 'Salicylic acid is excellent for dissolving excess oil and dead skin, while retinoids help regulate cell turnover and prevent blockages. Niacinamide can reduce oil production and inflammation. You could also use clay masks to help absorb excess oil.' Many of these ingredients can be found across cleansers, masks, serums and moisturisers.
Alongside this, Dr Phillips suggests using a retinoid serum in your evening skincare routine to gently exfoliate and remove oxidised sebum, which will unclog pores and therefore reduce the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads. Taking the advice of the experts on board, I've spent weeks testing products that aid the reduction of blackheads to find out which ones are worth your money. Read on for my full review.
How I tested
I've tested a myriad of products, including cleansers, serums, masks and moisturisers, narrowing it down to the top eight. I examined everything from texture, finish and absorption, as well as ease of application, value for money and, of course, how effective each one was on my oily combination skin.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Louise Whitbread has spent years working in the beauty industry and has tested countless skincare products and solutions, having suffered from acne for many years. From an expert-led feature on minimising acne scarring to her pick of the best skincare for acne-prone skin, Louise knows what to look for when it comes to finding skin solutions that actually work.
The best blackhead treatments for 2025 are:

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
TikTok blocks use of popular hashtag after concerns it promotes eating disorders
On June 1, TikTok blocked search results for 'Skinnytok' following a rising trend of dangerous content promoting eating disorders on the platform and concerns raised by European regulators TikTok has implemented a worldwide ban on a popular hashtag for its link to the promotion of extreme diets and exercise regimes. The company said the block is part of a regular review to 'address evolving risks' on its platform but comes after concerns were raised by European regulators. As of June 1, TikTok has blocked search results for 'SkinnyTok' and removed the hashtag globally. Content associated with the hashtag typically included videos targeting young women promoting extreme thinness and unhealthy ways to lose weight. "[We] have blocked search results for #skinnytok since it has become linked to unhealthy weight loss content," TikTok spokesperson Paolo Ganino said in a statement issued on Monday, June 2. Ganino said the move is part of a "regular review" of TikTok's safety measures "to address evolving risks". Users who now search for the hashtag will be directed to mental health support. The ban follows a boom in the trend in recent months, which saw the platform flooded with videos for and by young women glamourizing eating disorders like anorexia. The rise in the dangerous content reached the attention of both the European Commission and the French digital regulator Arcom. The European Commission investigated the 'Skinnytok' trend after France's Digital Minister Clara Chappaz lobbied for an investigation and created a public petition entitled to 'Stop Skinnytok'. After news of the ban was made public, Chappaz shared her excitement on X. 'Skinnytok is OVER!' the minister posted. 'This is a first collective victory. I salute it. However, the fight to protect our children online doesn't stop there. And I won't give up. Banning social media before 15 is my priority.' The protection of kids online is growing priority as countries consider proposals for new EU rules to curb children's social media use. TikTok's duty to guard against the harmful effects of the SkinnyTok hashtag were a feature of a call between the EU's Consumer Protection Commissioner Michael McGrath and TikTok CEO Shou Chew, as reported by Politico . Currently any search for 'skinnytok' or even 'skinniertok' yields the following message: 'You're not alone. If you or someone you know has questions about body image, food or exercise – it is important to know that help is out there and you are not alone. If you feel comfortable, you can confide in someone you trust or check out the resources below. Please remember to take care of yourselves and each other.' Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you! The message is followed by a help phone number and a link to the platform's Eating Disorder Safety Centre page. While it's a step forward, the ban will not necessarily mean the 'Skinnytok' trend is over. The TikTok community has a strong track record of pivoting with agility to navigate new regulations and user guidelines with new hashtags and code words. Still, social media platforms are being forced to take more accountability for the wellbeing of young users. A legal responsibility for online services to make their sites safe for children will finally come into force in this summer. Under the Online Safety Act, social media firms will be ordered to ensure they tame toxic algorithms, take faster action on removing harmful content and introduce proper age checks on their platforms. Tech companies will now be expected to begin assessing the risk of harm to children on their platforms after Ofcom's final children's safety codes were published today. From July these protections will be fully enforceable and services that don't comply could face serious enforcement action from Ofcom.


Daily Record
20 hours ago
- Daily Record
'I lost 5stone on weight loss jabs and there's one major downside no one talks about'
A TikToker has opened up about an unexpected trade-off after shedding 80lbs with weight-loss injections, warning her followers of the rarely discussed pitfall. Loz, aged 33, revealed a significant consequence of her dramatic weight loss journey: "If you're losing weight on weight loss injections ... you are going to lose your behind. It's going to happen, it happened to me, it happened to everyone I know on this injection. Your butt will be gone." Addressing her nearly 16,000 TikTok devotees, Loz, who posts under @lloztiktok, described a discomfort many don't anticipate: "You will feel your tailbone whenever you sit down, it's a horrible thing." She advised viewers who are also on a slimming quest, encouraging them to focus on their glutes early on: "Don't do what I did which was lost the weight, lost my a**e and then started working on my glutes - starting from bone." Medical director at Midland Health, Dr Rupa Parmar, echoed the importance of supporting muscle health during weight loss: "Ideally, you should aim to eat between 1.0 and 1.2 grams per kilogram of your body weight per day.", reports the Daily Record. Dr Parmar stressed the significance of incorporating strength training into the fitness regimen: "It's also a good idea to work with a dietitian to create a plan that's right for you, so you can stay healthy and strong." Chloe Thomas, a personal trainer and women's health coach, has shared her insights on muscle rebuilding post-weight loss jabs: "If you want to rebuild muscle after taking weight loss jabs, the key is progressive overload so by consistently challenging your muscles through resistance or strength training. This can be done with weights or bodyweight, but the aim remains the same in that you need to gradually increase intensity over time." She emphasised the importance of diet, particularly protein and carbohydrates, adding: "I would advise against weight loss jabs if you are not doing it alongside a nutritionist, a personal trainer and a doctor." Thomas also highlighted a common issue with people using weight-loss injections: "they're losing muscle, too", due to the lack of an appropriate strength training programme. In a recent update, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned against purchasing weight-loss medications from unregulated sources like beauty salons or social media, citing "serious health risks" and illegality. The MHRA clarified its stance on obtaining genuine GLP-1 medicines: "The only way to guarantee you receive a genuine GLP-1 medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy, including those trading online, with a prescription issued by a healthcare professional."


Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I lost 5stone on weight loss jabs and there's one major downside'
One woman has spoken out about a negative side effect of weight loss jabs that no one really talks about, despite losing a staggering 80lbs on the injections A TikToker has opened up about an unexpected trade-off after shedding 80lbs with weight-loss injections, warning her followers of the rarely discussed pitfall. Loz, aged 33, revealed a significant consequence of her dramatic weight loss journey: "If you're losing weight on weight loss injections ... you are going to lose your behind. It's going to happen, it happened to me, it happened to everyone I know on this injection. Your butt will be gone." Addressing her nearly 16,000 TikTok devotees, Loz, who posts under @lloztiktok, described a discomfort many don't anticipate: "You will feel your tailbone whenever you sit down, it's a horrible thing." She advised viewers who are also on a slimming quest, encouraging them to focus on their glutes early on: "Don't do what I did which was lost the weight, lost my a**e and then started working on my glutes - starting from bone." Medical director at Midland Health, Dr Rupa Parmar, echoed the importance of supporting muscle health during weight loss: "Ideally, you should aim to eat between 1.0 and 1.2 grams per kilogram of your body weight per day.", reports the Daily Record. Dr Parmar stressed the significance of incorporating strength training into the fitness regimen: "It's also a good idea to work with a dietitian to create a plan that's right for you, so you can stay healthy and strong." Chloe Thomas, a personal trainer and women's health coach, has shared her insights on muscle rebuilding post-weight loss jabs: "If you want to rebuild muscle after taking weight loss jabs, the key is progressive overload so by consistently challenging your muscles through resistance or strength training. This can be done with weights or bodyweight, but the aim remains the same in that you need to gradually increase intensity over time." She emphasised the importance of diet, particularly protein and carbohydrates, adding: "I would advise against weight loss jabs if you are not doing it alongside a nutritionist, a personal trainer and a doctor." Thomas also highlighted a common issue with people using weight-loss injections: "they're losing muscle, too", due to the lack of an appropriate strength training programme. In a recent update, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned against purchasing weight-loss medications from unregulated sources like beauty salons or social media, citing "serious health risks" and illegality. The MHRA clarified its stance on obtaining genuine GLP-1 medicines: "The only way to guarantee you receive a genuine GLP-1 medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy, including those trading online, with a prescription issued by a healthcare professional."