Blackheads (medical name comedones) are blackish or yellowish plugs or bumps that occur on the skin. Blackheads are a form of acne vulgaris caused by excess oils that have become trapped in the sebaceous gland's duct. Blackheads are usually caused by excessive oil production or use of clogging make-up which causes the growth of bacteria known as proponibeacterium acnes (p. acnes) which occurs naturally in the skin flora.
Treatments use ingredients such as salicylic acid and enzymes found in pineapple and papaya (amongst others) to remove blackheads by shrinking and tightening large pores, removing dead cells and absorbing excess oil.
