Whiteheads vs. Blackheads: Causes, Treatments, and Tips | CeraVe

Understanding Whiteheads vs. BlackheadsWhiteheads and blackheads are incredibly common—so much so that, according to the Cleveland Clinicsome researchers suggest that nearly everyone is affected by these blemishes at one point or another in their lives.1,2 Interestingly enough, they’re also both formed by the same thing, a pore blockage. However, their appearance, contributing factors, and treatment options can differ.What are whiteheads?A whitehead is a type of blemish that manifests as a bump on the skin, also known as a comedone. They form when a pore is blocked by excess oil and dead skin cell buildup. Whiteheads are closed comedones, meaning “closed pore.” You can actually see the blockage within the pore underneath the skin, which looks like a white bump—hence the name. While they can form anywhere on the skin, they most frequently appear on the face (especially the nose, chin, and forehead), neck, back, chest, and upper arms.What are blackheads?Like whiteheads, blackheads are co...