Behold: This Is The Best (And Most Satisfying) Way To Remove Blackheads

While you should never (we repeat: never) perform extractions on your own, there is an equally satisfying way to rid even the toughest of blackheads. Allow us to introduce you to "skin gritting."

The exact routine may differ slightly depending on who you chat with, but generally, it requires a sequence of oil, clay, and acids. "I like the oil, acid, clay, oil method," says Turegano. Cleanse your face in this specific order, and your stubborn blackheads stand no chance.  

Again, you might tweak the method depending on your skin type—some prefer a simple oil-clay-oil method, while others swear by the oil-sleep-oil approach (you apply oil to your face right before bed, then use an oil cleanser the next morning). Or if you'd like to throw an acid into the mix, follow Turegano's steps below:

If you have oily skin, the thought of slathering on even more oil might give you pause. But make no mistake: "Oil cleansing really helps dissolve dirt, makeup, sunblock, and blackheads. In fact, I especially like oil cleansers for oily, congested skin," says Britta Plug, holistic esthetician and mbg Collective member. Find our favorite cleansing oils here, if you're in the market for a refill.  

Turegano specifically touts the Philosophy Purity Made Simple Pore Minimizing Serum, but you can find even more formulas with the beloved BHA here. "Let the serum sit on your skin for about 20 minutes," she advises, so the actives can loosen up all the gunk.

Next layer: a clay-based mask. Choose your fighter (I personally adore the Shaant Balancing Clay Mask from Codex), and let it sit on your skin for five to 10 minutes as the clay soaks up all the debris from your pores. Feel free to apply the clay mask to areas you specifically deal with breakouts—like the chin, forehead, and nose—so you can really target those plugs.

To rinse off your clay mask, "I would end with an oil-based cleanser to help remove any remaining buildup on the skin," Turegano explains. Again, oil cleansers are superb for dissolving grime and excess sebum, plus they simultaneously infuse the pores with healthy fatty acids and antioxidants. Win-win.

That being said, this isn't a cleansing method you'll want to do every single night. "If you deal with blackheads, I recommend doing something like this once a week," says Turegano. Skin gritting is way too harsh to perform nightly—think of it like a deep treatment more than a daily wash. And if your skin ever reacts poorly to the process (redness, itchiness, inflammation, et al.), you might want to find another avenue. Might we suggest one of these blackhead removers? 

If you're dealing with blackheads but aren't able to see a professional for extractions, skin gritting may be the best option to try in the meantime. It's gentle yet effective, and contrary to what you might think, it doesn't involve scratching your skin raw. Consider adding it to your DIY facial routine.