Do Blackhead Masks *Really* Work? Let's Discuss

Before we get into all the best blackhead masks (and why those very aggro pore strips and blackhead removal tools are not the answer), here’s a quick breakdown of what a blackhead actually is: “A blackhead is a waxy plug made of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria that gets lodged into your pore and blocks it,” dermatologist Zoe Draelos, MD, has told Cosmopolitan. As the wax plug gets pushed towards the surface of the skin, she explains, the air oxidizes it and turns it black. And while they can be annoying, blackheads are also completely normal. But if you want to introduce a regular step into your skincare routine to reduce the appearance of pores and blackheads, a blackhead mask is the way to go. Keep scrolling for the full breakdown of the masks, or pause here for a few of our top picks.

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Now for our second teachable moment: Please, please stop ripping out your blackheads with peel-off masks. I know they’re satisfying, and that you would rather stare at the ~gunk~ that comes out of your face for a full hour than do literally anything else, but they are just way too harsh for your skin, and even though they give you that instant satisfaction of a quick-fix, your pores will just fill right back up again. Instead, opt for a gentler, non-peel mask spiked with salicylic acid and clay to help dissolve and absorb the oil and makeup in your pores without damaging your skin. To help you transition away from peel-off masks and towards the actually helpful ones, I found 17 really good blackhead masks for you to try ASAP—just keep scrolling.