What exactly are those pesky little bumps on your chin? Here’s what you can do to get rid of them

If you’re wondering what those little bumps on your chin are, they’re called closed comedones.

Although they can appear on any part of the body, most of the time, closed comedones occur on the face and are not inflamed or red nor do they hurt, unlike a typical pimple.

These little bumps happen when a combination of skin cells and oil is trapped within a hair follicle, forming a plug. This plug clogs the tunnel-like hair structure, causing it to swell creating a comedo.

What causes them?

Everyone develops comedones every once in a while. However, if it is constant, it is most likely a form of comedonal acne.

They’re most common during adolescence as the skin’s sebaceous glands become more active, producing more sebum. Adults may also face this issue if they have oily skin.

Using heavy or oily creams and lotions may also be another reason why you may be prone to comedones.

How to get rid of closed comedones

Salicylic acid and glycolic acid are two ingredients that can help prevent pores from getting clogged by reducing the speed at which dead skin cells shed, all while eliminating them.

Glycolic acid works by increasing the cell turnover rate and dissolving the bonds that hold skin cells together.

Having the smallest-sized molecule among all alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), it can be absorbed into the skin more easily. Besides exfoliating skin, it also triggers collagen production as well.

Salicylic acid, on the other hand, is commonly used in skin care products as a great treatment for acne. This ingredient helps in eliminating comedones because of its ability to penetrate into the hair follicles to rid them of plugs.

Whichever type of product is used to treat the occurrence of comedones, ensure that you treat the whole area rather than only the particular spot to prevent pore blockages.

If you’re looking for a more complete routine to get rid of closed comedones on the chin, influencer Sonia has a seven-step routine that she swears by:

Step 1: Use a cleanser that contains amino acids. Foam it up with a foaming net as dense and fluffy foam is essential in getting rid of sebum more easily. Pay more attention to the oilier parts of your skin, such as your T-zone, during this cleansing step.

Step 2: Apply a warm compress on the chin for 20 seconds to open up the pores. You can simply use a towel that has been soaked in hot water.

Step 3: Oil helps to remove oil. In order to get rid of oil plugs, use either a cleansing or facial oil on the area. Massage the product onto the chin in a circular motion, then emulsify and rinse with warm water.

Step 4: Dab the area with a cotton pad soaked with salicylic acid. If you have used salicylic acid before and didn’t have any bad reaction from it, you can choose to leave the cotton pad on for up to five minutes.

Step 5: Apply a clay mask to draw out any impurities.

Step 6: After rinsing off the mask, use a dental floss pick to gently scrape and remove the comedones.

Step 7: Lastly, give your skin a rest with a soothing mask. You can also use a DIY mask created by soaking a cotton pad with toner.

Products to help remove closed comedones