Many are familiar with the idea of blackheads (having suffered from them I guess???) but do they also know what whiteheads are? Because I know that not everyone ho reads this will have their PhD in chemistry, here’s a simple comparison. Blackheads are blockages or ‘clogs’ that has occurred on a wider than normal pore, which means that the chemical called ‘melanin’ in the blockage has gone through oxidation due to its exposure in air through the wide pore. Hence their rather nauseating black coloring. Whiteheads on the other hand are blockages that have occurred under a microscopic pore, which means that although the same substances are causing the blockage, they have has little exposure to air, little oxidation and therefore doesn’t go through a color change. Hence it remains white.

Now another thing to consider when comparing these two is how to rid of each of these. There are many methods that apply and can be effective for both such as once-a-day cleansing or damp cloth massages but for those who want specific cures here is the most effective cure for each. Blackheads can best be removed by Extraction applied more effectively due to the wider than normal pore. These include blackhead removal strips or laser therapy. Whiteheads on the other hand, due to the small opening chemical treatment is best. Tretinoin and Benzoyl Peroxide products are most recommended.

Happy striving-for-perfect-skin everyone!