Despite popular myths, blackheads on your nose don't equal dirty skin. In fact, washing your nose and face too often can leave it prone to drying out. This stimulates more oil production and more blackheads. Squeezing blackheads always seems like a tempting option; however, squeezing blackheads on your nose usually leaves holes in the form of pitted pores. Squeeze often, and you might cause permanent scarring. Instead, try more gentle treatments to remove the nose blackheads over time without leaving holes. In the meantime, don't despair: around 80 percent of people experience acne, including blackheads, at some stage.
Step 1
Wash your face twice every day -- once in the morning and once in the evening. Use a gentle cleansing lotion. Pay extra attention to your nose, lightly working the lotion into the creases. If your skin feels dry or starts to peel, switch to a different lotion or only use the lotion once per day.
Step 2
Buy face lotions containing either salicylic acid or the ingredient benzoyl peroxide, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Don't use the two together as they can cause an unpleasant reaction. Salicylic acid in particular shrinks pores around your skin's oil glands. It can help get rid of blackheads on the nose without leaving holes.
Step 3
Steam your face once per week. Fill a bowl with hot water. Hold a towel over your head and lean over the bowl with the towel draped around the edges to catch the steam. Steam your face for 5 minutes to open your pores. Pat your face dry.
Step 4
Use a blackhead pore strip once a week after a face steam. Place a pore strip over your dry nose and leave it for the time recommended on the package. Remove the strip carefully. It should pull out some of the dirt and blackheads without resorting to squeezing. Rinse your face with cool water after.
Step 5
Use oil-free moisturizer on your nose during the day or after washing your face. Oil-free products tend to trigger less facial oil, meaning fewer blackheads. Look for products that say "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic," as suggested by the experts at KidsHealth.org.
Step 6
Ask your doctor for advice and prescriptions for a vitamin A-rich retinoid cream, such as Retin-A. These substances can reduce pore size. Apply the lotion at night just before bed to a clean, dry face. Don't use alongside benzoyl peroxide or if pregnant.
Tips and Warnings
- Stick with your skincare routine, and over time your blackheads will reduce. Don't get frustrated if you don't see immediate results. Remove any makeup with a gentle cleansing lotion before washing your face each time.
- Avoid scrubbing your face too hard. This triggers more oil production, according to the BBC. Never use products more often than recommended on the package. This can cause more skin problems. Try to keep your hair away from your face, and don't touch your nose too often. This prevents the spread of bacteria and dirt.
Things You'll Need
- Salicylic acid lotion or benzoyl peroxide lotion
- Towel
- Bowl
- Pore strips
- Oil-free moisturizer
- Retinoid cream
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