Blackhead Removers for Clearer, Cleaner Skin (2024)

The Best Peel Pad Blackhead Remover

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

We simply can’t talk about the best blackhead removers without going on a little tangent about these uber-popular peels. They’re a derm-favorite (Dr. Camp approves), a beauty editor must-have, and loved by celebrities ranging from Selena Gomez to Kim Kardashian. It’s no surprise they have a cult-favorite status—they work like a charm. “They contain alpha and beta-hydroxy acids to remove superficial dead skin cells and impurities within pores,” explains Dr. Camp. The combo of acids allows them to not only clean your pores, but also provide a ton of other benefits. Your tone will be more even, your lines and wrinkles will be less noticeable, and you’ll remain hydrated.

Pros: Derm-approved; Gentle enough for daily use; Multi-benefit

Cons: Slight smell; Might be too harsh for sensitive skin

Customer Review: "This is a game changer for my skin. Ugh this is so good. I use it at night and every other day—not everyday because I use retinol on the night I don't use this. My skin has never been smoother." -Sephora

The Best Toner Blackhead Remover

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner

“Toners are used after cleansing to more effectively remove build up and oil,” explains Dr. Camp. “This gentle toner contains salicylic acid to remove debris in pores. It also contains glycolic acid, which is an alpha-hydroxy acid that encourages exfoliation.” Just put a little bit on a cotton pad and give your skin, your neck, and chest a good swipe. Over time, you’ll notice that your pores are minimized, your blackheads (and whiteheads) are less common, and your skin feels generally smoother.

Pros: Derm-approved; Tested and safe for sensitive skin; Affordable

Cons: Not the strongest

Customer Review: "I have oily and acne prone skin. I started using this and I immediately saw a difference, especially in the day time. I use to always see my pores after a few hours but this right with the La Roche Posay moisturizer with SPF, works amazing." -Ulta

The Best Retinol Blackhead Remover

Differin Gel Adapalene 0.1% Gel

“Differin gel contains adapalene, which is a retinoid. This product used to be available only by prescription, but can now be purchased over the counter,” says Dr. Camp. So, how does it work to get rid of blackheads? It “regulates cell turnover,” which means there’s a lesser chance of your pores getting clogged up with dead skin cells. But that’s just the tip of the good skin iceberg. A retinoid this strong is going to help reduce the majority of breakouts and keep your skin looking younger and plumper.

Pros: Derm-approved; Anti-aging benefits; Helps with multiple types of acne

Cons: Can be drying and irritating

Customer Review: "A little goes a long way! I make sure to avoid the corners of my eyes and my mouth and wait 20 minutes after applying before moisturizing. I still have breakouts around that time of the month but they are nowhere near as intense as they used to be! I’ve also incorporated bio oil into my morning routine to help with dryness, discoloration and scarring. Thank you thank you THANK YOU Differin for this medicated gel and for making it affordable." -Target

The Best Pore Vacuum Blackhead Remover

Dermaflash Dermapore Ultrasonic Pore Extractor & Serum Infuser

While pore vacuums should be used with an abundance of caution (they’re really not ideal for easily irritated skin), this particular extractor tool has hundreds of five-star reviews and a dermatologist stamp of approval. Rather than using suction, which can cause broken blood vessels and redness, it uses ultrasonic vibrational technology to coax the gunk out of the pores. There’s also an “infuse” functionality that works to push skincare actives deeper into the pores. Pair it with one of the other products on this list and you’ll get double the acne-fighting power.

Pros: Extracts and infuses; Derm-approved

Cons: Expensive

Customer Review: "I use this device both for black head removal and skin product absorption and have seen great results. Very easy to use and it doesn't add much time at all to my morning/night routine." -Ulta

The Best PHA Blackhead Remover

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore Tight Toner

While you can’t ~technically~ change the size of your pores, you can certainly make them look a heck of a lot smaller by getting all the gunk out of ‘em. That’s where this toner comes into play. It’s going to gently exfoliate (thank you, PHAs) and treat blackheads (thank you, BHAs) to create a clearer-looking complexion with less noticeable pores. It’s a great option for anyone who errs on the sensitive or drier side, too. With watermelon extract and hyaluronic acid as main ingredients, this formula effectively counteracts the drying effects of the acids.

Pros: Good for pores; Hydrating

Cons: Strong smell

Customer Review: "Literally the best toner I have ever used. I recommend if you struggle with clogged pores because it left my skin so clear. It is a perfect pair with the glow recipe watermelon pink juice moisturizer." -Sephora

The Best Serum Blackhead Remover

ReVive Acne Reparatif Acne Repair Gel

If you’re looking for something heavy-duty, this powerful serum is the way to go—blackheads don’t stand a chance. Thanks to 0.5 percent salicylic acid, this tacky texture will have your skin looking better in just a few days’ time. But trust me, the benefits will only keep coming with continued use. Not only should your skin stay breakout-free, but you’ll also get a ton of anti-aging benefits. The serum contains the brand's proprietary bio-renewal protein, which slows aging, promotes healing, and keeps your skin looking fresh and bouncy.

Pros: Powerful; Anti-aging benefits

Cons: Too strong for sensitive skin

Customer Review: "I love that this helps treat my acne without over-drying my skin. A little goes a long way with this product. Started to notice results within a couple of days which I am very happy about." -Blue Mercury

The Best Face Mask Blackhead Remover

Andalou Naturals Clear Skin Kombucha Enzyme Exfoliating Mask

A daily, leave-on treatment is probably the way to go for anyone with moderate or severe breakouts, but a bi-weekly face mask can do a damn good job at keeping mild blackheads under control. Our mask of choice? This Andalou Naturals option, which is formulated with exfoliating papaya and pineapple enzymes as well as clarifying willow bark extract. The purifying formula works like a charm to lift up debris, but just make sure you wash the solution off after 20ish minutes to avoid irritation.

Pros: Affordable; Brightening; Gentle

Cons: Stronger options available

Customer Review: "I have used a lot of different products on my skin and this mask left my face so soft . The smell was not overwhelming." -Walmart

The Best Face Wash Blackhead Remover

Zo Skin Health Exfoliating Cleanser

If your skin runs on the sensitive or drier side, looking for a wash-off treatment is probably going to be your best bet. Shorter contact should minimize irritation while still tackling acne. Take this Zo Skin Health cleanser, for example. It uses both physical and chemical exfoliation to dig deep into pores and get rid of gunk. Jojoba esters take charge on the physical front, gently exfoliating dead skin cells, while salicylic acid gets to work dislodging pore-clogging debris. Last, but certainly not least, vitamin E swoops in to provide a bit of calm—and antioxidant protection.

Pros: Physical and chemical exfoliation; Antioxidant protection

Cons: Expensive

Customer Review: "This is one of the only cleansers that has gotten my acne under control. While it has not completely cured me, my skin definitely looks a lot better than it did before." -Zo Skin Health

The Best Face Oil Blackhead Remover

Sunday Riley U.F.O. Salicylic Acid BHA Acne Treatment Face Oil

Face oil and acne-prone skin might sound like a recipe for disaster—but not when this oil is your product of choice. It’s specifically formulated to keep blackheads (and whiteheads) under control, while simultaneously giving you a dose of calming and soothing hydration. And still—it gets better. Once the salicylic acid and tea tree oil have addressed current blackheads, licorice extract gets to work brightening dark spots left behind from previous breakouts. Just use this as your last step in your nighttime skincare routine and you’re good to go.

Pros: Brightening; Soothing

Cons: Strong Scent

Customer Review: "I have extremely sensitive skin that tends to break out easily, plus I’m allergic to niaciminade and this product literally saved my skin. It’s never been clearer and I feel so much more confident in my skin." -Sephora

The Best Scrub Blackhead Remover

Dr. Barbara Sturm Facial Scrub

For a long time, scrubs were on the no-no list. The thought of physical abrasion was a bit, well, terrifying—especially for easily irritated skin types. But fast forward to 2023 and there are actually some really elegant, non-abrasive scrubs on the market. One of the best, in my humble opinion, is from Dr. Barbara Sturm. The physical component removes flakes and dry skin patches, which are all the more common in the winter, while purslane and vitamin A soothe the skin and combat redness.

Pros: Physical and chemical exfoliation; Soothing

Cons: Not as strong as a daily leave-on

Customer Review: "I use the enzyme cleanser every few days as it works as a light scrub but this one is wonderful for times when I feel I need something deeper. It’s so gentle and like the other cleansers no residue and my face does NOT feel dry at all." -Nordstrom

The Best Face Mask Blackhead Remover

Sisley Paris Exfoliating Enzyme Mask

I’m all for a self-care Sunday ritual, but sometimes (er, most of the time), I’m short on time. Still, I want results. That’s where this one-minute mask comes in. It works quite literally in 60 seconds, but delivers some of the most dramatic results I’ve ever experienced. It tightens pores, gets rid of dead skin cells, and when I use it regularly, gives me a clearer complexion overall. The texture is a little unique though. It comes out of the bottle as a powder and is then activated by water. With a little rubbing, it works into a cream.

Pros: Fast-acting; Clarifying

Cons: Expensive

Customer Review: "I have some cyclical redness on my cheeks and have to be careful with too much acid in exfoliators, this product is amazing at getting rid of dry surface skin w/o causing irritation. My skin feels glow-y and smooth!!!" -Bloomingdale's

The Best At-Home Peel Blackhead Remover

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Chances are you’ve seen this on TikTok—the before and after photos are kind of crazy. It’s easy to see why: The peel is composed of a super-powered blend of acids. AHAs, namely glycolic acid, come together with BHAs, namely salicylic acid, to reveal a de-clogged, clearer complexion in a matter of minutes. You’ll also notice a smoother, softer complexion and more even tone. While the results are pretty unbelievable, please proceed with caution. This stuff is strong and should not be used on sensitive or easily irritated skin.

Pros: Powerful; Helps with skin texture

Cons: Not for sensitive skin

Customer Review: "Not a must, but a nice addition to refresh and revitalize the appearance of your skin. Don't be alarmed by the 'burn' when you apply it, nor the initial redness when you first wash it off. Adhere to the timing (minimize if necessary for the first few applications) Moisturize your damp skin with a hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer immediately afterwards and this will reveal the gorgeous glass-like skin this product is sure to deliver. Bottle lasts forever as you don't need much product, and you use it infrequently (1/wk or 1/every few weeks) anyway!" -Sephora