Make these simple changes to your skincare routine and say bye-bye to those pesky blackheads forever!

But wait, what exactly are blackheads, anyway?

Blackheads are a buildup of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells in the pore that oxidize and turn black after being exposed to air. They can occur anywhere on the face, and to what degree blackheads appear varies for each individual (i.e. people with combination and oily skin tend to get more blackheads).

If having clear, glass-like skin is a skincare goal of yours, check out these five Japanese skincare secrets!

If you're ready to have even clearer and healthier skin, try the following dermatologist-recommended tips:

💦 Wash your face twice a day (unless you have particularly dry skin, as over-washing may only worsen your dry spots).

• Wash in the morning to remove the oil that's built up on the surface of your skin throughout the night
• Wash in the evening to remove the dirt, pollutants, and/or makeup from the day

Letting oil and dirt sit on your skin can contribute to blackheads

✨ Exfoliate

• But don't over-exfoliate. 2-3 nights a week is sufficient in helping to clear out the build up of gunk in your pores and reducing the appearance of blackheads
• For chemical exfoliation, use the ones that contain salicylic acids, because they concentrate on the pores, reducing build ups and the appearance of blackheads

🧴 Apply retinol

• Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that aids in reducing clogged pores and speeds up skin cell turnover rate

😷 Apply clay masks (i.e. bentonite)

• Clay masks are great for helping to reduce blackheads, as they gently cleanse and draw out oil from pores

🧡 Use oil-free moisturizer after washing your face (they're not as heavy for people with oily skin)

Extra Tips for Getting Rid of Blackheads

• Avoid using nose strips, as they only strip off the superficial part of the blackhead. Plus, the removing of the strip may actually be more irritating than beneficial for your skin
• Don't squeeze your blackheads, as doing so will only cause irritation, inflammation, and scarring
• Consider switching your makeup to lighter, mineral-based makeup, as it's not only less clogging than heavy, long-lasting makeup, but it can also help draw out oil from your face (similar to clay masks)