You’ve probably experienced a whitehead before. Those annoying little white bumps that always seem to appear at the worst possible time 🙄. Though whiteheads are an extremely common type of acne, there are many ways to avoid them from living on your face rent free. Here are a few tips on how to prevent whiteheads and keep your skin looking smooth.
What Are Whiteheads?
A whitehead is a form of acne where oil, debris, or dead skin cells clog pores or hair follicles and are covered in a thin layer of skin that forms a small bump that looks white or very light in appearance. Since our bodies are covered in pores and hair follicles, whiteheads can appear anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the face, neck, chest, back, and upper arms. Whiteheads are very common in oilier skin types and the T-zone area (the nose, forehead, and chin) because of the extra oils that could clog pores.
What Causes Whiteheads?
There are many reasons why pores may become clogged and lead to whiteheads:
Skincare Products
There’s a reason we say ‘less is more’ when it comes to skincare. Layering product after product on the skin can fill up those pores real quick and cause whiteheads to appear. Some ingredients in skincare products can strip the skin of its natural oils as well and lead to the overproduction of sebum. More oil, more clogged pores, more likely to have whiteheads 🙅♀️A little tip: keep your routine simple with a Koope Skincare Duo for less whiteheads 😉
Stress
Inhale, exhale…don’t forget to take a deep breath and relax! When you’re stressed, your body may react by producing more sebum (the natural oils the body makes) and sweat. This can lead to clogged pores that can cause those pesky whiteheads to pop up.
Hormones
Unfortunately, our hormones don’t stop bringing on more acne after puberty 😒. Our bodies are always changing and so are our hormone levels. Changes in hormone levels can trigger the skin to produce extra sebum that may lead to whiteheads.
Sweat
The act of sweating actually doesn’t cause acne! Now if you let that sweat dry on your skin and mix with oil, debris, makeup or dirt, you may see a whitehead or two make their grand entrance. Always remember to cleanse your skin with a good gel cleanser like the Koope Gel Cleanser after a sweat sesh.
Whitehead or Blackhead? What’s the Difference?
Whiteheads and blackheads are pretty similar. Both are caused by clogged pores and usually aren’t painful. Both can appear anywhere on the body. Their biggest difference? Their color. This is because whiteheads remain below the surface of the skin while blackheads exist at the surface of the skin barrier. Once air hits a clogged pore, a chemical reaction occurs turning that pore black in color. Because whiteheads don’t make it to the surface, this reaction with air does not occur, leaving the clogged pore to remain white or light in color.
How to Prevent and Treat Whiteheads
There are many things you can do to stop whiteheads from appearing on your skin.
Keep Those Pores Clean
The main way to avoid whiteheads is to make sure your pores are not clogged. Be sure to wash your face daily with a gentle cleanser to remove debris, dirt, and excess oil from the skin. Avoid products with harsh ingredients that may irritate the skin and cause an uptick in oil production. Try any Koope Cleanser to gently cleanse away impurities from the skin barrier without causing irritation or drying the skin out.
Moisturize Daily
Because the body may produce more oil in the skin if it senses it's too dry, always remember to moisturize daily even if you have oily skin (because oily skin STILL needs hydration too!). Keeping skin hydrated can help oil production and decrease how frequently you may encounter whiteheads. Try a fragrance-free moisturizer like the Koope Middleweight Moisturizer for all day hydration without any weighing down the skin.
Clean Objects Touching Face
Clean objects that are touching your face often like your phone, glasses, makeup brushes, or pillowcases to keep bacteria and dirt out of those pores as well. The oils and bacteria our fingers make pick up can lead to acne as well so remember to only touch your face after washing your hands.
Do NOT Pop Whiteheads
Popping any acne can lead to the spread of acne causing bacteria, dirt, and impurities that could cause more acne in surrounding areas. This can also cause scarring and irritation of the skin. Popping acne is always a no-go!
Exfoliation
Exfoliating the skin is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells that could clog pores and cause whiteheads. Use a gentle exfoliant no more than twice a week to help clear out pores. Avoid exfoliating more than twice a week to steer clear of excessive dryness and irritation.
Talk to a Dermatologist
It is always best to consult a dermatologist when it comes to your skin. They can create a specific plan to help conquer all your acne nightmares. Talk to your dermatologist and follow their recommendations on how best to treat your whiteheads.
