How to Get Rid of Whiteheads (and Stop Them Coming Back)

To get rid of whiteheads, unclog the pore and leave squeezing out of it. Use a salicylic acid product (0.5% to 2%) or an over-the-counter retinoid such as adapalene gel on the whole area once a day, add a benzoyl peroxide wash, skip scrubs, and give it six to eight weeks. If the whitehead is a pus-filled pimple, leave it alone and treat it the same way.

Below we sort out the two very different bumps people call a whitehead, explain why they form, lay out a week-by-week plan, and cover when squeezing does more harm than good and when a dermatologist can help.

What is a whitehead, exactly?

In medical terms, a whitehead is a closed comedone: a pore plugged with oil and dead skin cells that has sealed over at the top. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) describes it as a tiny bump that looks white or flesh colored, formed when a clogged pore closes up. DermNet adds that in a closed comedone the follicle is completely blocked, which is why there's no dark dot on top.

In everyday speech, though, "whitehead" often means something else: a red pimple with a white or yellow center. That's a pustule. The AAD describes pustules as a lot like papules, except that they contain a yellowish fluid, often visible as a white or yellow tip. The two need slightly different handling, so it's worth knowing which one you're looking at.

If the dark-dot version is your main problem, our guide to blackheads vs sebaceous filaments covers it. Hard white bumps under the eyes are a separate story, explained in our piece on milia under the eyes.

What causes whiteheads?

Whiteheads form when excess oil and dead skin cells clog a pore and the opening seals over. The AAD lists excess oil, bacteria and dead skin cells as the ingredients of the plug. DermNet explains that comedones start when the cells lining the oil duct multiply and sebum production increases, so the debris blocks the duct and hair follicle.

DermNet also lists things that can make comedones more likely:

• Hormones: excess activity of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in skin cells.
• Overhydrated skin: before a period, from heavy moisturizers, or in humid weather.
• Some cosmetic ingredients: oily pomades, isopropyl myristate, propylene glycol and some dyes.
• Injury to the follicle: squeezing pimples, abrasive washing, chemical peels or laser treatments.
• Smoking: comedonal acne is more common in smokers than in non-smokers.

Why do I get whiteheads on my nose and chin?

Whiteheads cluster where oil glands are most active, which on most faces means the nose, chin and forehead. DermNet notes that comedonal acne most often affects the forehead and chin. On the nose, some of the "whiteheads" people try to squeeze are actually blackheads or sebaceous filaments, which look pale when you push on them. If what you have is a field of tiny rough bumps across the forehead, the plan below still applies, and our guide to closed comedones on the forehead goes into that pattern specifically.

How do I get rid of whiteheads at home?

Use one pore-clearing active on the whole area, wash gently twice a day, and wait six to eight weeks before judging. The AAD says dermatologists recommend a retinoid to unclog pores, plus a benzoyl peroxide wash for whiteheads and blackheads, and notes that adapalene is sold without a prescription.

Step 1: Wash twice a day, gently

Wash when you wake up, before bed and after sweating. The AAD warns that washing more than twice a day and scrubbing can irritate acne-prone skin, which worsens acne. Skip grainy scrubs and rough cloths.

Step 2: Pick one main active

• Adapalene gel: a retinoid sold over the counter as Differin Gel and as store brands; MedlinePlus notes that nonprescription adapalene comes as a gel. MedlinePlus says it is used for acne in adults and children 12 years and older and works by stopping pimples from forming under the skin. It's the most targeted option for closed comedones. Our adapalene guide covers how to start it.
• Salicylic acid, 0.5% to 2%: the FDA's over-the-counter acne monograph allows salicylic acid at 0.5 to 2 percent. The AAD describes it as an ingredient that opens clogged pores and exfoliates the skin and calls it effective for whiteheads and pimples. It comes as washes, toners, pads and leave-on gels.
• Benzoyl peroxide, 2.5% to 10%: allowed in OTC acne products at 2.5 to 10 percent. It targets acne bacteria more than the plug itself, so it's most useful as the wash alongside a retinoid, or when you also have red, pus-filled spots.

Step 3: Cover the whole area

Spread a thin layer over the entire area that breaks out, including skin that looks clear today. The AAD recommends applying acne medication to all acne-prone skin because that treats existing acne and helps prevent new breakouts. Follow the directions on your product for how much to use and how often.

Step 4: Moisturize and use sunscreen

MedlinePlus notes that skin may become dry or irritated during the first 2 to 4 weeks of adapalene and that it can make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer and a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning.

Step 5: Give it time, then add a second product if needed

The AAD says to give treatment six to eight weeks to work on whiteheads and blackheads. MedlinePlus says it may take 8 to 12 weeks or longer to feel the full benefit of adapalene, and that it may bring previously unseen pimples to the surface early on. If you've seen little change after four to six weeks, the AAD suggests adding a second product that works on a different cause of acne, for example adapalene at night and a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid wash.

What does a realistic timeline look like?

The AAD notes that a topical retinoid is often used as maintenance treatment to keep skin clear once acne is under control. Stopping is the most common reason whiteheads come back.

Should you pop whiteheads?

No. The AAD warns that squeezing at home risks permanent acne scars, more noticeable acne, more pain and infection, because pushing the contents deeper into the skin increases inflammation. DermNet lists squeezing among the things that rupture the follicle and feed more comedones.

Closed comedones are especially poor candidates for squeezing because the top is sealed. You end up pressing hard on intact skin, which leaves redness and sometimes a mark that lasts longer than the bump would have. Pustules can look like they're asking to be popped, but the AAD says to resist the temptation, since popping can worsen acne. Treat it with the same wash and let it drain and heal on its own.

If you have stubborn whiteheads after six to eight weeks, a dermatologist can do comedo extraction with sterile instruments. The AAD notes that this is usually offered when other acne treatment fails, and that whiteheads can return afterward without a skin-care plan.

How do you stop whiteheads from coming back?

Keep using the treatment that cleared them, and remove the things that clog pores in the first place.

• Keep one active in your routine, such as adapalene a few nights a week or a salicylic wash.
• Choose products labeled "non-comedogenic," "non-acnegenic," "oil free" or "won't clog pores," accepting that a few people still break out with some of them.
• Remove makeup and sunscreen every night before bed.
• Keep heavy hair products off your forehead; DermNet names oily pomades among the products linked to comedones.
• Try one or two products at a time. The AAD says trying too many products can stress your skin.

Can I use these treatments if I'm pregnant?

Check with your obstetrician or dermatologist first. The AAD says most experts recommend stopping adapalene during pregnancy, and that salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are generally considered safe in limited amounts or for a limited time, which is why it advises talking to your doctor before using them. Azelaic acid is described there as thought to be safe during pregnancy.

When should you see a dermatologist about whiteheads?

See one if whiteheads haven't improved after two to three months of consistent treatment, if they keep returning, or if they come with deep, painful bumps. The AAD recommends a dermatologist when acne causes cysts and nodules or hasn't cleared with non-prescription treatment. Prescription retinoids, combination gels and in-office extraction are all options. Get help sooner if a spot becomes hot, swollen and increasingly painful.

How can a selfie scan or ingredient scanner help?

Whiteheads change slowly, and it's hard to see a 12-week trend in the mirror. A consistent photo record makes the comparison fairer. Pori takes a selfie and returns an overall skin score with a Pores & Texture breakdown, keeps your history on your iPhone, and offers a before/after view so you can compare week 1 with week 8 in similar light. Its ingredient scanner (part of Pro) lets you scan a barcode or photograph a label and flags each listed ingredient as beneficial, use with caution or avoid for your skin type, which helps when you're checking whether a new moisturizer or hair product fits acne-prone skin. Our guide to tracking acne progress explains how to take comparable photos.

An app is not a diagnosis. It can't tell you whether a bump is a comedone, milia or something else, so ask a dermatologist about anything that's painful, spreading or not responding to treatment.