Women Of All Ages Swear By This Treatment That Reduces Blackheads In Just One Use 

Despite being in my 30s, blackheads are one of my biggest skin concerns. Even though acne becomes less common as you age1—yes, blackheads are a form of acne—I still deal with occasional breakouts due to stress, hormonal changes, and even hot weather.

When my pores start to look a little clogged, I have a go-to secret weapon that I swear by to erase blackheads: Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant.

The fast-acting formula combines a gentle physical exfoliant (rice powder) with a light chemical exfoliant (AHAs) to help your skin release dead cells. When I add the exfoliating cleanser to my routine, I notice my skin looks clearer, smoother, and more even within a week.

First things first, it's important to clarify why I use an exfoliator. They've gotten a bad reputation over the years, mostly from overuse and harsh formulas. However, an exfoliator is a great tool when used correctly.

"Physical exfoliants gently buff the skin surface to facilitate the removal of dead skin cells and debris to reveal healthier, brighter layers of skin," explains board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, M.D., of MSCS Dermatology.

On the other hand, a chemical exfoliant "breaks apart the bonds of dead skin cells and flushes them from the skin surface."

While your body naturally sheds dead skin cells (up to 40,000 dead skin cells every minute) this process can be slowed by lifestyle, age, skin dehydration, and even weather.

While I consider an exfoliator to be an essential tool against blackheads—along with applying niacinamide—I know that not every formula is the same.

I'm partial to Dermalogica's Microfoliant because it takes a 360-degree approach to exfoliation by combining a chemical and physical exfoliator.

When activated with water, the powder releases the BHA salicylic acid and the enzyme papain (sourced from papaya). These ingredients work together to break down the bonds between dead and alive skin cells.

Although water transforms the powder into a creamy cleanser, it still retains small granules. These gentle exfoliators act like a polish and slough away dead skin cells.

Once the exfoliation is complete, the formula's skin-brightening complex jumps into action. Phytic acid, licorice, and white tea work together to help balance out the skin tone.

And you never have to worry about irritation! Soothing allantoin and colloidal oatmeal round out the cleanser to calm inflammation.

Dermatologists typically recommend using an exfoliator two to three times per week—and I take the same approach with this Daily Microfoliant Cleanser.

Using this product about three times per week is perfect for my oil-prone complexion. It keeps my blackheads at bay but doesn't leave my skin dry and irritated.

I previously tried using the cleanser daily, but I found it was a touch too harsh for my skin. Camp says this could be due to the rice powder, which acts as an "abrasive agent."

"If you use it too often, in excess, or too aggressively, it can put skin at risk of microtears and abrasions," Camp explains.

Dermalogica has an independent study of its Daily Microfoliant, where testers saw a reduction in blackheads within one use (with fewer visible dark spots after 14 days).