Pesky whiteheads often pop up on the most visible areas of the face, like the nose, forehead, and cheeks. But, whiteheads and acne are more than a cosmetic issue. For many, acne outbreaks can also negatively impact mental and emotional well-being.
“Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States affecting 50 million Americans annually, including more than 85% of adolescents and 25% of adults worldwide,” Dr. Keira L. Barr told Oprah Daily. “Acne can have a significant impact on emotional well-being including anxiety, depression and social isolation.”
For consumers ready to banish whiteheads once and for all there is a simple and affordable solution. Regular chemical exfoliation with workhorse ingredient glycolic acid is a dermatologist-approved, time-tested treatment to keep pores clear and help shrink down whiteheads.
What are whiteheads?
Whiteheads are a type of acne. Whiteheads form when a pore becomes clogged with dead skin cells, excess sebum, or bacteria. The dead skin cells and oil then remain trapped within the pore and become covered by a thin layer of skin. This creates the telltale white bump of a whitehead.
“Whiteheads are formed when skin cells stick together and trap oil under the skin’s outermost surface,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, told Cosmopolitan. “They’re most commonly caused by hormonal changes, clogged pores, and/or irritation.”
What causes whiteheads?
While whiteheads can be caused by irritation or hormonal shifts, most dermatologists point to a common culprit behind those bothersome white bumps. Lack of exfoliation.
When dead skin cells and excess oil production clog pores, whiteheads and other forms of acne are likely to occur. In order to both treat current whiteheads and help prevent the formation of future whiteheads, consistent exfoliation of the skin is key.
“Exfoliants can help with whiteheads. These not only make the skin smoother, but they can also remove excess dead skin cells. The key to choosing the right exfoliant is to choose a gentle formula. It will provide you with the exfoliation you need without causing unnecessary irritation and dryness,” explains Healthline.
Rough, manual exfoliators, formulated with fruit pit shells, nuts, or other small particles can be tough on the face. For many with sensitive skin, physical exfoliation can cause irritation, redness, and even small cuts.
Banish pesky whiteheads with glycolic acid!
Instead, a gentler and more effective solution is regular chemical exfoliation with glycolic acid.
Diminishing whiteheads with glycolic acid
Glycolic acid is a key ingredient to reducing acne like whiteheads because it is the “holy grail” of chemical exfoliation.
““Acne can have a significant impact on emotional well-being including anxiety, depression and social isolation.”
Dr. Keira Barr
As the smallest molecule in the Alpha Hydroxy Acid family, glycolic acid can best permeate the skin cell.
Once topically applied to the face, glycolic acid works to loosen the gluey bonds that hold the dead skin cells and oil of a whitehead together. This effective chemical exfoliation can help to shrink down the bump of a whitehead.
Additionally, regular chemical exfoliation with glycolic acid can help to keep pores consistently clean and unclogged.
By preventing the buildup of dead skin cells and oil in pores, regular use of glycolic acid can help to circumvent future whitehead outbreaks.
More moisture
Glycolic acid also offers another important benefit to consumers targeting whiteheads. Glycolic acid helps the skin retain moisture, which makes glycolic acid a more gentle treatment for whiteheads than other common acne-fighting ingredients.
“Glycolic acid boosts your skin’s natural exfoliating process and helps your skin retain moisture. Why is this important? Because when acne-prone skin gets too dry, the body will overproduce oil to compensate. More oil means a more fertile environment for new acne breakouts. Glycolic acid’s extra moisture boost also counterbalances the dryness that can sometimes come from using benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, two ingredients often found in acne treatments,” explains the Proactiv blog.
For the scores of consumers with sensitive skin, glycolic acid may be a less irritating treatment option to target whiteheads.
Waving goodbye to whiteheads
Whiteheads are a common and irritating form of acne that afflict millions of consumers around the globe. However, consistent exfoliation with glycolic acid can help to shrink whiteheads, keep pores unclogged, and promote a clearer, more radiant complexion.
