Why squeezing blackheads is so addictive

We’ve all been there: You wash your face, pat it dry, then give it a once-over in the mirror only to discover a swarm of blackheads peppering the tip of your nose. The bright bathroom light exaggerates their gruesomeness. You gasp in disgust. The only thing to do is to whip out your tools—your fingernails—and start squeezing.

Painful satisfaction.

It’s borderline repulsive, yet extremely rewarding—with every successful purge, you feel a sense of satisfaction. For most people, squeezing blackheads is a gratuitous little habit they can control. Yet for some, it can quickly become a compulsion. That moment of blemish-popping releases dopamine, the feel-good hormone, which directly affects your emotions, as well as your sensation to pleasure and pain. Experts explain there’s a cycle of anxiety or arousal before the act and a sense of relief after, making blemish-popping addictive and particularly hard to stop.

It also explains why videos of blackhead removal and pimple-popping have become a social media phenomena. People are fascinated by other people's distress or difficulties, and as gross as pimple-popping is, watching the intensity of someone else's problems brings a cathartic rush of satisfaction.

Then there’s the primeval element––grooming is evolutionarily ingrained in us. Animals groom each other and pick off fleas and mites. Thousands of years ago, humans did as well. Watching other people groom themselves may have less to do with hygiene than with some sense of primal bonding.

The skin-compromising consequences.

Regardless the reason for picking, the aftermath is messy––every squeeze session causes visible skin damage, especially if it’s a daily occurrence. “Squeezing and pulling stretches the elastin around the pores which can enlarge them,” explains dermatologist Dr. David Orentreich. With constant squeezing, pores can stretch out over time without the ability to bounce back. What’s more, says Orentreich, “Squeezing blackheads, picking acne, or popping pimples can damage your pore’s surrounding tissue, leading to inflammation and scarring.” When you feel the urge to purge, keep your hands busy––try squeezing a stress ball, fiddling with a wrist tie, or even putting on gloves.

How to get rid of blackheads.

The safe way to get rid of blackheads is to arm yourself with a great product that will clear out blackheads without damaging your skin. This way, you’ll get the instant gratification, without risking enlarged pores, pain, or scarring. Orentreich’s recommendation: Clinique’s Blackhead Solutions Self-Heating Blackhead Extractor. This purifying formula heats up when mixed with water, gently opening up pores so that salicylic acid, bamboo powder, and pumice can work to clear out oxidized oil, dirt, and debris without damaging skin. It also has an applicator tip with textured nubbies that help loosen up and whisk away blackheads. The proof: it’s clinically proven to reduce 93% of blackheads in 6 weeks.*

How to help prevent blackheads before they start.

Extraction treats blackheads you already have — prevention stops new ones from forming. Build these steps into your regular routine:

Double deep clean. It's tempting to skip makeup remover, but it's an important step because it dissolves stubborn products like makeup and sunscreen. Use Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm first, then follow with your regular cleanser so it isn't busy tackling that first layer of leftover product. A sonic cleansing brush gives an even deeper, pore-targeting clean.

Exfoliate regularly. Cleansing alone won't coax out those little black specks of oxidised oil. Use an exfoliant like Clinique's 7 Day Deep Pore Cleanse & Scrub with salicylic acid to help promote skin cell turnover and reduce pore clogging, while sweeping away excess oil, dirt and debris.

Use a clay mask once or twice a week. A face mask helps draw out impurities and unclog pores. Clinique's 7 Day Deep Pore Cleanse & Scrub also contains kaolin clay, which helps purify pores and control excess oil when used as a mask.

Choose non-comedogenic products. Reach for formulas specially designed to be less likely to clog pores. Start with a fragrance-free cleanser like Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam, then follow with a non-comedogenic moisturiser like Anti-Blemish Solutions All-Over Clearing Treatment to keep skin hydrated and clear. For blemish-prone skin with active breakouts, Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel is a prescription-strength option with salicylic acid.

Don't forget sun protection. Pore size is largely hereditary, but sun damage weakens skin's cell structure over time, making pores lose their shape and expand. An oil-free, broad-spectrum sunscreen as part of your everyday routine helps keep pores looking tighter for longer, and is especially worth it for chronically-clogged skin.