Here’s the thing: Blackheads are unavoidable for most of us. But picking at them is ill advised, because more times than not, we can make matters worse with improper handling. In our search for some (safer) solutions, we tapped Dr. Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist in California and co-host of The GIST for some much needed clarity on the situation. Using her advice, along with picks beloved by our editors and readers, we combed through dozens of products to land on the 15 best blackhead remover products. From the super convenient Peace Out Pore Perfecting stick ($24) to the nifty PMD Wave Pro device ($129), these skincare formulations and gadgets can help you achieve those coveted clear pores.

Dr. Ava Shamban is a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles. She is the founder of Ava MD, a cosmetic dermatology clinic in Beverly Hills that specializes in  wrinkle reduction and other aesthetic skin care procedures. Dr. Shamban graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and earned her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. In addition to appearing as a co-host on The GIST, Dr. Shamban has made appearances on CBS’s The Doctors and ABC’s Extreme Makeover. She is also the author of Heal Your Skin: The Breakthrough Plan for Renewal.

“Blackheads are the buildup of cells, keratin and solidified oils in the pore or hair follicle, which forms a plug that clogs your sebaceous duct,” explains Dr. Shamban. “They’re also called open comedones and present as raised, textured, thick and waxy bumps that oxidize at the surface forming the 'black head,’ hence their name. Blackheads can occur on their own but are sometimes accompanied by acne and inflammation.”

Despite their appearance, blackheads aren’t a sign that your skin is dirty. While proper cleansing is certainly crucial to keeping your skin clear, that’s only one part of the equation. Pore size is another factor, and that, friends, is genetic (but more on that later).

In terms of specific ingredients to look for, Dr. Shamban recommends alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids like glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids, which are all great for treating blackheads and whiteheads.

One last thing: “It is never advised to take matters into your own hands and physically extract your blackheads,” warns Dr. Shamban. “I know it’s tough not to touch your skin but please resist! It will always cause more harm than good. Leave the extracting to the professionals.”

First and foremost, we took the advice of our skincare expert and looked for products that contain the pore-clearing active ingredients she recommends, including glycolic, salicylic, lactic and retinoic acids. Then we dug a little deeper and read user reviewers, including some from PureWow’s own editors, to ensure the product does what it says it does. Finally, we considered items from a range of different price points to fit everyone’s budget. Now that we’ve got that settled, let’s build a blackhead-busting skincare regimen together, shall we?

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According to Dr. Shamban, there are a number of causes for blackheads: “Oil, dirt, environmental debris, dead skin cells, pollutants and general sludge can all contribute to the buildup in the pores.”

There are a lot of misconceptions around blackheads and pores in general. For starters, “Pores are not doors that 'open and close' as we would like, and we can’t actually change their size or structure once they have become enlarged,” explains Dr. Shamban. (On that note, you know that part during a facial when they steam your skin to “open up the pores”? It’s not so much opening your pores as it’s softening the gunk within the pores for an easier extraction.)

Though pore size and propensity for blackheads cannot be changed, “We can do our best to keep them clean and not let them fill or enlarge by using good skincare practices,” says Dr. Shamban. “We have a considerable range of advanced active ingredients and treatment options available to us now. And with many of us working from home currently, it’s a good time to introduce a consistent, active skincare routine to prevent, clean, and protect the pores in order to stop the formation of blackheads by treating their underlying causes.”

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