A blackhead is an open comedone, meaning the pore stays open and trapped oil and cells darken at the surface. A whitehead is a closed comedone, meaning skin covers the pore opening and forms a white or skin-colored bump.
Both are comedones, pores clogged with sebum oil plus dead skin cells. Cleveland Clinic describes both as noninflammatory, mild comedonal acne in Cleveland Clinic's comedonal acne overview. That makes them different from inflamed lesions like papules, pustules, nodules, or cysts.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- How can you tell them apart?
- Why does one turn dark?
- Who gets them and what triggers them?
- What daily care helps?
How can you tell them apart?
A blackhead looks like a tiny dark dot centered in a pore. The opening remains open, so trapped oil and dead cells darken at the surface. The surrounding skin is usually calm, without redness or swelling.
A whitehead looks like a small white or skin-colored bump. MedlinePlus describes the pore as covered by skin, so the clog stays enclosed and raised. The center looks closed rather than open and dark.
Why does one turn dark?
The dark color is not dirt. Cleveland Clinic notes that oxidation and irregular light reflection off the clogged follicle cause the dark look, as explained in Cleveland Clinic's blackhead explainer.
A whitehead stays pale because skin covers the opening. Without the same surface exposure, the trapped material keeps its lighter color. Scrubbing harder does not remove a dark plug.
Who gets them and what triggers them?
MedlinePlus reports these breakouts most often affect teenagers but can occur at any age. Babies and adults in their 30s and 40s can develop them, and they tend to run in families. Several everyday factors can encourage clogging and breakouts:.
- hormonal changes
- oily cosmetics or hair products
- certain medicines
- heavy sweating and humidity
- repeated touching or rubbing of skin
What daily care helps?
Gentle habits protect the pore lining and limit new clogs. Keep hair off the face, avoid oil-based cosmetics, and avoid harsh scrubbing. For oily, acne-prone skin, MedlinePlus points to salicylic-acid or benzoyl-peroxide washes as a care option in its MedlinePlus self-care guide.
- wash gently once or twice daily
- keep hair off the face
- choose non-oily skin and hair products
- do not scrub, pick, or rub spots