Chances are if you’re reading this you must be suffering from blackheads?
If you are , you might want to read till the end to find it out which among the most commonly used product that is, pore strips or clay masks ,is best for banishing blackheads.
What are blackheads
Our skin produces sebum as every single pore on body contains a sebaceous gland. Now this gland is involved in creating oils also known as sebum, which helps moisturize and repair skin . However, on face we have the highest concentration of Sebaceous glands when compared with the rest of the body and because of that the chances of getting clogged pores ,whiteheads, blackheads and acne is generally higher on face.
Causes of blackheads
Due to the excess sebum being produced by skin, some of the sebum may get blocked and clogged in the pores. When it gets stuck underneath the skin or inside the pores , it’s called whiteheads ,however when the sebum gets exposed to air ,it gets oxidized and changes color to a little bit dark color then it’s called blackheads.
It’s no different than cutting an apple and leaving it outside and eventually the apple actually darkens up the process is the same.
How to remove blackheads
For thousand years , people have been using their fingers and pinching them however ,over the years there have been many different inventions meant to reduce those nasty blackheads and most popular ones are Pore strips and clay mask.
They both claim to reduce blackheads and they both claim to extract and remove blackheads without damaging your skin but which one should you actually use?
Let’s find out!
Clay masks for blackheads
Clay masks are known to be one of the safest products to unclog the pores and remove blackheads as most of them contain natural clay ingredient such as kaolin clay, bentonite clay, Moroccan clay ,having oil absorbing ability, helping to remove sebum oil, bacteria, dead skin cells and impurities to achieve that clean and refined skin, without damaging the epidermal layer .
Typically it’s beneficial for oily, acne prone skin but those with dry skin and sensitive skin people ,having issues of whiteheads and black ones can safely use it.
How to use clay mask for blackheads:
Apply the clay mask once or twice a week for five minutes, after application the clay mask will dry and change color. Then just rinse off to a smooth and clean skin. You might need to moisturize skin according to skin type afterwards as its drying for some.
Pros of Clay mask:
- Gentle on skin
- Safe for sensitive skin aswell
Cons of Clay mask:
- No immediate results.
- Powder clay masks needs to be constituted.
- Skin may get dry after rinsing it off.
So, have you used clay masks before? please let us know in the comments below which brand of clay masks you’ve used, which worked and which didn’t work .
Pore strips for blackheads
Pore strips have been proven to remove blackheads efficiently, however ,over the past couple of years it’s been shown that it also damages the skin. So let’s do a deep dive into pore strips ,what is it made of ,how does it work and why you should or should not use it .
First of all the main property of pore strip is gum. Which is not harmful for skin . There is very minimal allergic reaction and it binds very well to sebum. They also contain silica which helps in absorbing excessive sebum. Silica is also used to thicken up certain skin care ingredients.
How to use pore strip
To use pore strips it’s applied on clean nose , leave it on for roughly about five to ten minutes. The gum and silica set in to bind itself to the excess sebum , blackheads and as well as attach itself to epidermal layers .
Now it’s no secret that pore strips work for blackheads removal effectively, but as you tear up the pore strip it actually removes part of your epidermal layer which is the top most part of skin and which is important to protect your skin against nasty bacterias and irritations from outside, and to prevent water loss from skin .
By removing this protective layer one gets prone to Infections, skin irritations and at the same time skin dryness .And not to mention it also contains gum now even though there is very minimal reaction to gum but overuse of gum on skin can be irritating .
Most often gum used in pore strips is polyquaternium-37 which is also used in hair sprays to help set your hair so that it does not move, so imagine putting that on your face!
Pros of using pore strip for blackheads:
- Instant results
- Visually satisfying
- No mess
Cons /Side effects of using pore strip:
Because of skin tugging and top layer of skin being removed ,over time it pulls and stretches the pores .They get larger, more visible and tend to come back with a vengeance .It means one ends up getting more blackheads in future .
On skin , capillaries break up very easily , causing the capillaries to be even more visible and unfortunately to remove all those visible capillaries one needs to do vascular lasers .
And if you’re suffering from Psoriasis eczema or even active acne using a pore strip can be dangerous for skin. The constant tugging cause a compromised skin barrier which means that skin will be over dry, making you prone to acne and flare-ups of eczema or rosacea.
So If you’re someone suffering from any such skin conditions than I would rather prefer a clay mask .
It can be applied not only over the nose but all over face or anywhere with blackheads, whiteheads and excessive sebum.
Important:
Now blackheads are not going to get vanished instantly, some of the blackheads which have been set in for a long time, might take some time to remove but this is definitely a much safer way to reduce blackheads.
Constant and frequent use of clay masks once or twice a week will help remove blackheads permanently but do remember that blackheads do come back. So whenever you have a blackhead please start using the clay mask. Clay masks might not be as satisfying as a pore strip but it’s much more gentle on skin and at the same time over the long run it doesn’t cause pores to be enlarged.
So, do you like using pore strips? If you have used pore strips before ,please let me know in the comments below whether you’re still going to continue using pore strips or not .
For more tips on maintaining healthy, glowing skin, check out our articles on Monsoon Skin and Hair Care Routines and You can also explore a full collection of skincare articles here
FAQs
Blackheads are small black dots on nose or on excess oil producing areas, This oil trapped in pores leads to clogged pores, which turn into blackheads.
They work by sticking to skin and pulling out debris and gunk and blackheads aswell
They help by absorbing extra oils from pores and hence unclogging pores .
Since clay mask is able to penetrate deeper into pores and absorb oil, it’s more effective. Also it doesn’t pulls off skin like pore strip do, leading to compromised skin barrier.
Only if you have excessive oily skin as it can be bit drying on skin.
Clay masks are suitable for all, even people with sensitive skin can benefit from it ,whereas people with skin irritation issues shouldn’t use pore strips.
Yes, if you have powder as an Indian healing mask or multani mitti (fullers earth) , you can mix it with rose water,honey,green tea or water, to make a customized mask .
Useful Links
“Pore Strips vs Clay Mask: Which is Best for Removing Blackheads?” that you can consider:
Healthline: Do Pore Strips Actually Work?
- This article explores the effectiveness of pore strips and their pros and cons in blackhead removal.
Dermstore: The Truth About Clay Masks
- Learn about how clay masks work to remove blackheads and which types of clay masks are best suited for different skin types.
Allure: Why You Shouldn’t Use Pore Strips
- Allure discusses the potential damage that pore strips can cause to the skin and why you might want to consider alternatives like clay masks.
I am a dentist, baker, and fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for living life to the fullest. I am foodie and explorer, always seeking new adventures and flavors. Currently working on my own skincare brand.
