If you have small white bumps on your face that aren’t red and inflamed, but are still creating texture on your skin, you are probably experiencing closed comedones—also known as whiteheads.
Closed comedones are pimples in their earliest stage, small skin-colored or white bumps on the skin’s surface that refuse to be popped. They have a way of getting under your skin literally and metaphorically. Keep reading to learn more about these small bumps and how to treat them.
What Are Closed Comedones?
Your skin’s pores house hair follicles and sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, a natural oil to keep our skin moisturized.
Sometimes our pores can become clogged when a mixture of sebum and dead skin cells creates a blockage that becomes a closed comedones when it gets trapped beneath the skin’s surface. Closed comedones are not red and inflamed or pus-filled like typical pimples or cysts, but they can be the precursor to more inflammatory acne.
While their counterparts, open comedones (or blackheads), are open and oxidized, closed comedones like to stay undercover and remain enclosed within the skin, creating what often look like small clear skin bumps. The thin layer of skin stretches over the bump of the blocked pore which can give them their light or white appearance, hence the nickname “whiteheads.” While open comedones might have a slightly whitish top, they don’t come to a pus-filled head like inflamed pustules.
What Causes Closed Comedones?
Ever wonder why tiny white bumps pop up on your face? Knowing what causes closed comedones is the first step towards treating them. Several factors can contribute to the formation of closed comedones, including:
- Overactive Sebaceous Glands: Sometimes, these glands that produce sebum can get a little overenthusiastic, producing more oil than necessary. When there’s too much oil, there’s a higher chance of clogs.
- Dead Skin Cells: Our skin is continuously renewing itself, shedding old cells and making way for the new. But sometimes, these dead skin cells don’t quite make their exit as they should and end up hanging around, contributing to potential blockages.
- Cosmetic and Skincare Products: Certain products, particularly those that are heavy or oil-based, can contribute to pore blockage. Some skincare products and makeup might not suit your skin type, leading to congestion. It’s always a good idea to avoid pore-clogging ingredients if you’re prone to whiteheads.
- Hormonal Fluctuations: Hormones play a significant role in our skin’s behavior. Ever noticed a breakout around your period? Changes in hormonal levels, such as during puberty, menstruation, or even due to certain medications, can lead to an increase in oil production, contributing to closed comedones.
Closed Comedones Treatment
These sneaky small skin-colored bumps are a common experience for many. But, just like any type of acne, there are effective ways to manage and even show them the door.
While you may want to know how to get rid of these tiny bumps on your face quickly, know that patience will be required to successfully treat closed comedones. So, let’s get into some solutions:
Salicylic Acid
This common ingredient for acne treatment is part of the beta hydroxy acid (BHA) family. Its unique talent is diving deep into oily pores. Salicylic acid can penetrate pores and help exfoliate them from the inside out. Regular use can help dissolve the debris causing closed comedones, making it a top pick.
Look for over-the-counter cleansers and leave-on treatments with salicylic acid.
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser 2% Salicylic Acid and Clay
TULA Clear It Up Acne Clearing Gel with 2% Salicylic Acid
Topical Retinoids
Retinoids, derived from vitamin A, speed up cell turnover, helping to address existing closed comedones and prevent new ones from forming. However, be prepared for purging as the increased cell turnover brings the blockages to the surface.
Whether it’s over-the-counter adapalene or prescription-strength tretinoin, always introduce slowly and wear sunscreen, as retinoids can make the skin more sun-sensitive.
Hero Cosmetics Rescue Retinol Cream with 0.75% Encapsulated Retinol Blend
AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)
This group of naturally occurring acids is often derived from plant sources; some common members of the AHA family include glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid. The magic of AHAs lies in their ability to exfoliate by gently dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells on the surface. This promotes the shedding of dead skin layers, keeping them from trapping sebum and clogging pores, and helping to prevent closed comedones.
Products such as serums, gels, and toners that contain AHAs are widely available over the counter. Start slow and choose a product with a lower strength of AHA to start.
COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliant
Naturium Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Gel 10% AHA Exfoliating
Alpha Skin Care Intensive Renewal Serum Concentrated with 14% Glycolic AHA
Non-Comedogenic Products
Check to make sure your products don’t contain pore-clogging ingredients. Switch to non-comedogenic skincare and makeup products if needed, as these are designed to not clog pores in order to prevent closed comedones and make sure you are thoroughly cleansing your face to remove makeup, sunscreen, and oils at the end of the day.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser with Niacinamide
Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing and Makeup Removing Foaming Gel
Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly Facial Moisturizer
PURITO Oat-in Calming Gel Cream with Oat Seed Water and Panthenol
EltaMD Skin Recovery Lightweight Moisturizer for Damaged Skin Barrier with Amino Acids
Benzoyl Peroxide
While it’s more commonly associated with treating inflammatory acne, benzoyl peroxide can also be helpful for closed comedones, preventing them from escalating into red, inflamed acne by reducing acne-causing bacteria.
Benzoyl peroxide is available in many over-the-counter acne treatments. You can find benzoyl peroxide in varying strengths as an active ingredient in face washes, leave-on products, and spot treatments.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Spot Treatment with 5.5% Benzoyl Peroxide
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser with 4% Benzoyl Peroxide
Professional Treatment and Extraction
Sometimes, a little professional help is needed to clear stubborn comedones, especially if you are under time constraints. Dermatologists or trained estheticians can sometimes perform extractions using sterile instruments to remove closed comedones. It’s essential to leave this to the experts to avoid potential scarring or infections.
Dermatologists or skilled estheticians can also offer treatments such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion, which can both treat and prevent future closed comedones.
Closed comedones might be tiny, but the texture they create can be annoying and persistent. Fortunately we have many effective options to tackle these bumps. With patience and the right treatment for your skin, smoother days lie ahead.
