Tips to Clear Blackheads in the T-Zone ( Nose, Chin, Forehead)

By Annie

The T- Zone describes the forehead, nose and chin area of the face. These are areas that usually produce more oils and is also the most vulnerable to blackheads. The 6 remedies below will help get rid of blackheads in the t zone area fast!

What Are Blackheads?

Blackheads are formed because the sebaceous glands in our pores produce too much oil, and it combines with dirt and dead cells on the skin surface. The pore will remain open, but with the oils exposed to air,  the sebum oxidizes and turns into a black color.

Blackheads treatments are usually targeted for the nose area, but blackheads on the chin can be difficult to remove since pores tend to be smaller there. Apply these simple tips, outlined below to help you treat stubborn blackheads on the t-zone at home.

1. Warm Compress or Facial Steaming

You can either do facial steaming, or press a warm compress towel on your skin for a few minutes.  This helps to loosen up the blackheads and slightly expand your pores, so your other treatments can work better.

Facial Steaming

Pour a couple cups of freshly boiled water in a dish.  Place your face over it and let the rising steam hit your face. You can cover with a towel over your head making sort of a tent encasing the dish, and you so the steam doesn't escape.  Don't get too close to the steam and you can do this for a few minutes. 

Warm Compress

Soak a towel in warm water, wring it dry, then apply to the skin where your blackheads usually form and hold for about 10 minutes. Make sure it’s not too hot! The heat will also loosen up the blackheads to make them easier to extract too. 

2. Use Salicylic Acid

Salicylic Acid is an ingredient that is ideal for clearing blackheads in the T-zone. Salicylic acid is a type of BHA meaning beta hydroxy acid.  This acid can exfoliate and remove excess sebum so the upper layer of skin will shed off faster. It may take several uses with a salicylic acid product to see results.

Some common products are a facial cleansers that include this ingredient, you can also find it in some serums to apply topically. If the topical application leaves skin too sensitive and red, the facial wash off form of salicylic acid may be better for you.  Blackheads will be gone in no time!

3. Exfoliate with Glycolic Acid

Glycolic Acid is one of the best ways to remove blackheads on the t zone and pretty much anywhere else you have blackheads. Glycolic acid clears blackheads similar to the way salicylic acid does.  Glycolic acid is one of the smaller alpha hydroxy acid molecures, so it can really penetrate deep within the tiniest of pores to clear those blackheads away.  Some people may tolerate glycolic acid more than salicylic acid.  

Glycolic acid products for blackheads and common found in the form of toners, peels, or wash off masks. My preferred method is with a mask since the concentration of glycolic acid is usually a little stronger so you can see results quite quickly compared to the other methods.

4. Try A Pore Strip Mask 

This is an effective method to remove blackheads in the nose area. The downside is that it can cause pore enlargement over time because of the strong tugging and pulling motion it does to essential 'rip' the oxidized sebum out of the pore.  When pores are being stretched out regularly, they can lose their elastin and structure which can cause the enlarged look. 

Pore strips can be commonly found in drugstores and you can make your own homemade strips too.

Homemade Pore Strip

Mix together a teaspoon of Xantham gum with warm water, and apply the paste onto the t zone and let it dry.  Peel off after.

5. Using a clay and vinegar mask

To apply this method, you need cosmetic grade clay like kaolin, bentonite, or green clay and apple cider vinegar diluted 1:1 with water.  Mix the ingredients and apply on skin with blackheads area. If your skin is sensitive, you can further dilute the apple cider vinegar with more water, or skip the vinegar altogether and only mix the clay with water.

Apply to the  areas where you get blackheads. When the mixture is dry, use a warm towel to wipe clean and wash remainder of the mask off. This approach also helps clean oily skin and it can reduce blackheads and well as large pores dramatically.

6. Moisturize Skin After Blackhead Removal

After clearing the blackheads from your skin, you can prevent new blackheads from forming by keeping skin hydrated with a non comedogenic moisturizer.  You may also want to try using an oil free moisturizer too.  Blackhead treatments can be drying on the skin, and if the skin's protective barrier is compromised, it can lead to acne flare ups or increased oil production. 

Clearing black heads on the t zone can be a tedious task and requires dedication and commitment. While it's all hard work, the results can be worth it if you're tired of seeing blackheads.  Remember that having a few blackheads happens to everyone, and it's okay if you didn't get them all! 

Have you tried these methods to get rid of blackheads? Let us know which one worked best for you in the comments.