Monsoon Troubles? Prevent Those Nasty Blackheads With These 13 Simple Steps

The fundamental, building block of any skincare routine is double cleansing. If you're someone who forgets to do it, literally post a sticky note on your bathroom mirror for a reminder, that's how important this is for those with sensitive/oily skin. Double cleansing essentially means cleaning your face with an oil-based cleanser, which will break down your makeup products and sunscreen from your skin and clear your pores, and then go ahead with a normal face wash, which will remove all the dirt and debris from your face. This is important because normal face cleansers are only formulated to clean your face and not unclog your pores, and using only that can leave a residue of the products you used during the day.

LBB's Picks: If you're looking for an oil-based cleanser, the Plum Goodness Cleansing Balm is a very good option (priced at INR 545). If you trust only K-beauty, then go for the Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil.

Pro-Tip: The face wash that follows should be the one you use based on your skin type and here's a list of 11 best options.

While this may not be necessary for all, it is generally a good practice to pick non-comedogenic and oil-free makeup products, especially for those with skin that has a tendency to break out or get clogged. The benefit of these products is that they don't leave or produce oil when they're sitting on your face all day, making your pores breathe much better.

LBB's Picks: Some brands that make the best oil-free makeup products, if you ask us, are L'Oreal, Huda Beauty, Lancome, and Anastasia Beverly Hills.

It is time to bid goodbye to the exfoliators we used as teenagers, that were so harsh they could put sandpaper to shame. While your skin might need exfoliation once every week, it doesn't need the life scrubbed out of it. This is because an exfoliator that is too harsh on your skin might do more harm by messing up the pH balance and causing a breakout. A good way to avoid that is to pick an exfoliating cleanser or serum, which is formulated in a way that doesn't irritate sensitive skin and keeps the pores clean by removing dead skin cells.

LBB's Picks: Our picks for the best exfoliators for those with a problem-causing t-zone are the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleanser, the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution by The Ordinary, and the Oil-free Acne Face Wash by Neutrogena.

Pro-Tip: We recommend slowly introducing an exfoliator to your skincare routine during the spring, especially if you have dry to normal skin, as your skin would just be beginning to regain its natural moisture post the winter. 

Three words I resonate with so deeply that I could get them tattooed on my forehead are these: Wear. Sunscreen. Everyday.

An effective sunscreen will act as a physical barrier between your skin and the UV rays of the sun, protecting it from rashes, dryness, burns, and anything else the sun might sometimes throw at us. This is especially important for those with sensitive skin (yes, having blackheads or whiteheads counts as a sensitive skin issue) as the skin is more reactive, and generally one of these issues will lead to more serious ones, like full-blown breakouts!

LBB's Picks: Some good sunscreens for sensitive skin are Re'equil's Ultra Matte Dry Touch and Laneige Radiant Sun Cream, but here's a full list!

We bet you didn't see this one coming. It's true, if you have an oily t-zone, slacking on washing your hair on time will make it worse. The oil from your hair transfers to your skin if you leave it open during the day or while sleeping, making the pore situation unmanageable!

Pro-Tip: Looking for a good sulphate-free shampoo? We come with tried-and-tested recommendations.

Moisturisers help keep your skin hydrated. But if your skin type is oily, you might gravitate towards skipping moisturiser altogether, and believe me, that's not the way to go. Not moisturising just makes your skin produce more oil which makes it oilier in the long run. So, skiping this step is a no-no. Avoid thick, goopy moisturisers that can clog your pores, and choose a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser that is also hydrating. Some of the key ingredients that work well for oily skin are niacinamide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins C & E.

LBB's Picks: Some of the best lightweight moisturisers for oily skin are the Neutrogena Hydro Boost and Plum 2% Niacinamide And Rice Water Moisturiser. Check out the complete list here.

Salicylic acid is an ingredient considered to be best for people with oily skin prone to blackheads and breakouts. It acts as a great exfoliator for the skin, controls excess oil production, and helps to unclog and keep your pores clean. When introducing this ingredient into your regime, it is advised to start with a small percentage and go your way up gradually.

LBB's Picks: Some of the best products containing salicylic acid are the Minimalist 2% Salicylic Acid Face Serum and The Derma Co. 2% Salicylic Face Mask both of which are formulated especially for acne-prone and oily skin.

Pro-Tip: Know more about salicylic acid.

Using a toner can help keep the skin balanced and hydrated. For people with oily skin, a toner helps remove all traces of dirt or soap left on the skin. Toners that work well for oily skin have either an exfoliating active or a hydrating ingredient, so they can deeply cleanse and keep the skin hydrated, while also controling oil production.

LBB's Picks: Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion and Re'equil Pore Refining Face Toner but here's the complete list.

Masks prove to be very helpful when it comes to controlling blackheads. They can deep clean by drawing out dirt, impurities, and toxins. When choosing a mask to help with blackheads, look for these ingredients—charcoal and clay (that absorb oil and sebum to prevent blackheads and minimise the appearance of pores). You can also go for salicylic acid, and/or plant-derived enzymes that offer a gentle option for exfoliation.

LBB's Picks: Clayco Purifying Matcha Clay Mask, Foxtale De-Tan Skin Radiance Mask and Quench Brightening Pink Clay Mask, are all clay-based face masks that work to draw out dirt, excess oil, impurities, and toxins.

Pro-Tip: Check out the 14 best charcoal-infused products.

Always remove your makeup before going to bed. We get it, it's easier said than done and on most days, it feels like a task. But residual makeup can easily clog your pores and so, it becomes extremely important to remove every last trace of makeup.

Also, clean your makeup brushes often. Product residue, dirt, and sweat can accumulate on makeup brushes, applicators, and sponges, and using dirty makeup brushes can lead to clogged pores. Think about it, putting all that effort into your skincare but still can't get rid of blackheads? This could be the reason. Try to wash all your makeup brushes and applicators once every week.

LBB's Pick: Check out this cool Matra Automatic Makeup Brush Cleaner Machine that makes cleaning makeup brushes equal parts fun and functional. We also love this M.A.C Brush Cleanser that specifically designed to ensure cleanliness and longevity of brushes.

While we preach and practice self-love, we do suggest you keep your hands as far away from your face as much as possible. The basic idea here is to avoid the transfer of oil, dirt or bacteria from your hands to your face. These substances can lead to clogged pores, acne and in some cases infections. Wash your hands regularly, and especially before touching your face. 

LBB's Pick: We swear by Bath and Body work's hand wash collection and you should check out their Strawberry Pound Cake Gentle & Clean Foaming Hand Soap.

If you were born around the 80s or 90s, chances are you’ve already introduced retinol to your skincare routine—and if not, now’s a good time to start! You don’t have to go too hard initially. Start by building a skincare routine where retinol based products are used at least once or twice a week to get your skin accustomed to it. A wonderful all-round product, retinol helps control excess sebum, reduces oil production and clears out existing debris or congestion from your pores. You may not see results instantly but stick to it and your skin will thank you in the long run (been there, done that!). You can incorporate retinol into your routine as serums or moisturisers.

LBB’s Picks: Foxtale’s 0.15% Encapsulated Retinol Night Serum and Re'equil’s 0.5% Retinol Night Cream are my go-to retinol products. If you wanna go luxe, go for Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules. 

“What are you even saying?” before you have such thoughts, hear me out. Recent years have seen a rise in pore strips and masks that claim to remove blackheads, whiteheads and clean out pore. But there’s a catch — they may help clean out your skin (however temporarily) but they also remove elements that actually help your skin. We’re talking about natural oils and hair follicles. Removing these elements can cause your skin to get irritated or dried out making more room for sensitive skin issues.