White spots : Causes, care, best creams and skincare

Un punto bianco (comedone chiuso) è una lesione dell'acne che si forma quando il sebo e le cellule della pelle bloccano l'apertura del follicolo pilifero. Lo vedrai come una piccola protuberanza biancastra, sotto la superficie della pelle.

Non confonderli con i grani di miglio: seppur apparentemente simili (piccole cisti superficiali di colore bianco o giallastro) differiscono per le cause scatenanti e per il trattamento necessario.

Cause

Under-the-skin whiteheads are caused by sebum, which normally drains to the surface through the hair follicle, but in these cases it becomes trapped inside the pores. The follicle then becomes blocked: this is where the bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes trigger skin inflammation and acne, sparking a reaction characterized by papules and pustules.

Recommended Ingredients

The best active ingredients for treating whiteheads:

  • Beta-hydroxy acids (BHA): like salicylic acid, which is oil-soluble and an excellent ingredient for treating blemishes. Once it enters the pore, it breaks down and dissolves what’s clogging it. It has strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and also helps fade post-acne marks.
  • Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA): like pyruvic acid and glycolic acid, which have antibacterial and exfoliating properties.
  • Niacinamide: at a concentration of 3-5% for sebum-regulating and antibacterial effects.
  • Azelaic acid: which has antibacterial properties, inhibits keratinocyte proliferation, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-lightening effects.
  • Retinoids: like retinol, known for its sebum-regulating properties.

How to Get Rid of Whiteheads: Useful Tips

Treatment for whiteheads depends on severity and can include various topical and systemic agents aimed at reducing sebum production, comedone formation, inflammation, bacterial load, and normalizing the keratinization process.

The main tip is to not squeeze them! You risk infecting the surrounding area, further irritating your skin (yes, even if you do it with a tissue, and encourage the formation of red post-acne marks that won’t fade quickly.

How to Prevent Whiteheads

Wash your face every day, morning and evening, always using a gentle cleanser specifically formulated for blemish-prone skin: be careful with antibacterial soaps and over-scrubbing, as these can cause inflammation (remember that whiteheads are the precursor to inflammatory acne).

Protect your skin with lightweight moisturizers and SPF: don’t further damage your skin barrier.

Products for: acne, whiteheads and blackheads

SKIN FIRST® has curated a collection of blemish and acne treatments that work perfectly for anyone with oily, impure skin’s daily skincare routine.

Thanks to their specialized formulas, our products regulate sebum production, prevent and combat comedones (whiteheads and blackheads) and breakouts. They also come in a wide range of formats and types — creams, boosters, cleansers, and acne face masks — to cover every step of your skincare routine.
  • Purifying Cleansing Mousse

    Purifying Cleansing Mousse

    Gentle cleansing foam with targeted purifying and sebum-regulating action for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin.

    Function Cleanser, Sebum Regulator, Mattifier
    Ingredients Salicylic Acid, Polylysine, Alteromonas Ferment Extract (+)
    Use Every day
  • Photo of Product Packaging and Label: Booster Niacinamide + Azeloglicina

    Booster Niacinamide + Azeloglicina

    Concentrated facial serum with sebum-regulating, impurity-fighting and soothing action. With Niacinamide and Azeloglicina, it evens out skin tone.

    Function Cleanser, Schiarente, Sebum Regulator
    Ingredients Niacinamide, Azeloglycine
    Use Every day
    Best Seller
  • Product packaging and label photo: Retinol Booster

    Retinol Booster

    A serum to prevent and counteract the signs of aging, acne marks and skin spots on the face. Formulated with 0.3% Retinol.

    Function Anti-aging, Cleanser, Antioxidant
    Ingredients Retinol
    Use Every day
  • Photo of Product Packaging and Label: Cleansing Face Cream

    Purifying Face Cream

    For oily or acne-prone skin, it regulates sebum secretion, refines enlarged pores, and fights the formation of comedones and pimples.

    Function Cleanser, Sebum Regulator, Moisturizer
    Ingredients Revitalin, Burdock Extracts, Cucumber and Fomes Officinalis (+)
    Use Every day
    Best Seller
  • Photo of Product Packaging and Label: Impure Skin Lotion

    Impure Skin Lotion

    Il tonico esfoliante che migliora la condizione dei brufoli in fase attiva normalizzando la produzione di sebo e aiuta a prevenire e contrastare le macchie post acne. Ideale per pelli grasse e acneiche.

    Function Cleanser, Schiarente, Sebum Regulator
    Ingredients Salicylic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Tranexamic Acid (+)
    Use Also every day (depending on skin type and needs)
  • Photo of product packaging and label: Skin Perfector

    Skin Perfector

    Exfoliating facial toner, formulated with 2% salicylic acid at pH=4. Brightens and smoothes, leaving skin looking more even.

    Function Polishing agent, Schiarente, Cleanser
    Ingredients Salicylic Acid
    Use Also every day (based on skin type and needs)
    Best Seller
  • Product Packaging and Label Photo: AHA + BHA Exfoliating Peel

    AHA + BHA Exfoliating Peel

    Exfoliating chemical peel, a facial exfoliating concentrate: it stimulates collagen production and cellular renewal.

    Function Polishing agent, Schiarente, Highlighter
    Ingredients Salicylic Acid (BHA), Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid (+)
    Use 1 time every 7 or 10 days
  • Photo of product packaging and label: Anti-Impurity Gel

    Anti-Impurity Gel

    L'applicazione locale attenua l'infiammazione del brufolo e migliora la pelle.

    Function Cleanser
    Ingredients Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Pyruvic Acid (+)
    Use Every day
  • Photo of product packaging and label: Anti-blemish patches

    Anti-Imperfection Patches

    Patches to speed up the disappearance of pimples, without leaving marks. Apply topically.

    Function Cleanser
    Use Every day
  • Product packaging and label photo: Purifying face mask

    Purifying Face Mask

    Face mask formulated to absorb excess sebum, prevent and combat blackheads and pimples, and tighten enlarged pores.

    Function Cleanser, Sebum Regulator
    Ingredients White and Green Clay, Burdock Extracts, Cucumber (+)
    Use 1 or 2 times a week
  • Photo of product packaging and label: Purifying body emulsion

    Purifying Body Emulsion

    Body cream that hydrates and smooths, fighting acne, impurities and uneven skin texture.

    Function Polishing agent, Cleanser, Moisturizer
    Ingredients Salicylic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Niacinamide (+)
    Use Every day
  • Purifying Body Cleanser

    Purifying Body Cleanser

    Creamy-texture body cleanser, purifying and sebum-regulating, ideal for combination, oily and blemish-prone skin. Leaves skin feeling fresh, clean and purified.

    Function Cleanser, Soothing
    Ingredients Undecylenoyl Oat Amino Acid, Salicylic Acid, Polylysine (+)
    Use Every day
    New Packaging
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Skincare Guide