Did You Know Wearing Headphones Can Lead To This Sneaky Skin Care Concern? 

Sometimes, what you put on your skin can come with annoying skin irritation. It's why derms often advise you to peel off your exercise clothing as soon as you can post-workout, as those sweaty fabrics can lead to clogged pores and body acne. It's why they suggest you apply a soothing emollient under a fitness tracker to prevent chafing. And, of course, we can't forget about masks: Since the face covering can create a humid environment for breakouts, pros recommend you avoid heavy and potentially comedogenic products under the mask area. All that to say, what you wear and use can absolutely affect your skin.

Even something as innocent as headphones: "Blackheads or open comedones can absolutely happen inside the ear canal, especially if you wear AirPods for long periods of time," says board-certified dermatologist and mbg Collective member Whitney Bowe, M.D., in a recent TikTok. 

You can get blackheads and pimples anywhere you have a pore—yes, this includes your ears. They may be less common than pimples on other surface areas (like your face, back, chest, and even on your hairline), but ear zits can certainly happen, and it's nothing to worry about! 

Bowe lends her stamp of approval to professional blackhead extraction: "Extraction is so effective there," she notes. Big, big caveat: You never want to attempt extractions at home. Leave the squeezing to the professionals, especially near the sensitive ear canal. We should note, most blackheads will actually crop up in the conchal bowl (the hollow space in your ear) rather than in the actual ear canal itself; so make sure whoever does perform extractions around the delicate opening is extra careful. 

However, you can (gently!) approach an ear blackhead just like any other clogged pore: Celebrity esthetician Shani Darden recommends you apply a "very thin, thin, thin layer" of AHA serum for ear zits, which can help unglue dead skin cells and encourage cell turnover. If you're especially prone to clogged pores in the area, you'll also want to make sure you're cleansing the ears regularly. Nothing too intricate or product-heavy—a good rinse in the shower should be A-OK.