A Conversation About Blackheads
Very few women have not told me that they want their blackheads to disappear or that they would like to get rid of them at home.
Blackheads do exist – I can tell you that for sure, because I’ve had them for as long as I can remember – but what I actually see on many women’s skin isn’t exactly blackheads. Often, it is just impurities that aren’t exfoliating properly and end up trapped at the base of the hair follicle.
I always say that these blackheads are a normal occurrence for women living in a polluted urban environment, but I completely understand why you don’t like them.
These bothersome blackheads most often appear due to insufficient or unsuitable home care. We sometimes fear hydration, even though it plays an incredibly vital role in the skin’s natural exfoliation process.
An Example
Take dry skin, for instance: its natural hydration is already low. If you don’t apply products that properly hydrate and exfoliate for your specific skin type, your pores will look congested — it is inevitable.
Oily skin types, if they lack a control mechanism, also develop blackheads, especially since oxidized sebum darkens them. Unfortunately, many people believe that skipping moisturizer can reduce sebum, but the effect is exactly the opposite: the skin produces even more sebum to compensate for the dryness.
Our skin is just like a child: it reacts when it doesn’t receive the necessary attention, whether we are busy with work or chores at home. And just like a child, it sends us signals that something is wrong — and these signals need to be addressed.
Blackheads can appear on any skin type that isn’t properly cared for.
What makes matters worse is the automatic association of blackheads with oily skin. Then, using products meant for oily skin on a dry complexion only dries it out further, leading to congestion.
There are many instances where blackheads are not the result of oily skin. I often see them directly linked to using the wrong products for your skin type.
Let me confess something: I have spoken many times about SVR Sebiaclear, a product designed for oily skin. Last week, a client told me that after using it, her face turned very red.
It wasn’t because the product isn’t good, but because it wasn’t right for her skin’s current needs. She has sensitized skin with a compromised skin barrier. SVR contains active ingredients like salicylic acid, zinc, and gluconolactone — applying them to irritated skin is like putting rubbing alcohol on an open wound.
Recommendations
Many recommendations found on the internet require our caution. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment, and not just in skincare, lead to a worsening of the situation in 99% of cases. And I’m not saying you are to blame — we all do it, including myself, as I recommended this product for congestion. You saw congestion on your face and tried to fix it on your own.
It is not your fault that you don’t know all the nuances of the skin — just as I wouldn’t know the ins and outs of your profession, in which you are so highly competent.
This is why I encourage you to seek the help of a specialist. Even if it seems like the more expensive route initially, in reality, it is the most affordable and fastest way to achieve great results.
Programs for You
While last year the GLOW at HOME program was only available online and only on Fridays, from 2026 I have introduced an in-studio version: GLOW in the STUDIO.
During this 60-minute session, you will leave with a completely customized skincare routine, tailored to your skin type and the rhythm of your life.
Of course, there is also the option where we combine the skincare routine with a professional cleansing treatment: GLOW & RESET.
Alexandra.