Two years ago, I started noticing weird white spots on my face filled with something so annoyingly poppable, like pimple bits… except they weren’t pimples at all.
They didn’t smell great either. Naturally, I kept squeezing them in hopes they’d vanish, and 10/10 would not recommend it.
Fast forward two weeks, and my skin felt like sandpaper; it was rough, bumpy, and covered in these tiny white things. But lucky for you, I’ve been through the worst of it, and I’m here to tell you exactly what it’s all about.
What Are Closed Comedones?
Closed comedones are clogged pores that get trapped under the skin. Unlike a regular pimple, they don’t have a head, they’re not red, and they don’t come to the surface. They just… sit there. Quiet. Annoying. Multiplying.
Think of them as baby whiteheads that never grew up. The pore gets filled with dead skin, sebum, and buildup — then gets sealed shut. No oxygen gets in, so bacteria can’t do the “pimple” thing. Instead, you’re left with tiny, flesh-coloured bumps that make your skin look textured and feel bumpy.
Why Do They Happen (Especially Out of Nowhere)?
Closed comedones love to appear when:
1. Your pores are clogged: Think residue, SPF, sebum, and dead skin; if it stays on your face, it stays in your pores.
2. You’re over-moisturising: Too-thick creams, balms, or oils can trap dead skin cells underneath.
3. You’re using comedogenic products: Some products are basically comedone fertilisers. Coconut oil? Heavy balms? Certain foundations? They can trigger these bumps fast. These might not apply to all, but check with your dermatologist on what works best.
4. Your skin barrier is confused: Stress, diet changes, new products, hormones. They all can flip your skin from smooth to “Help me please, everything feels wrong.”
5. You pick them (don’t lie… we all do): Popping causes inflammation, pushes debris deeper, and guarantees more bumps later.
What NOT to Do!
- Don’t keep squeezing them: you’ll only irritate the skin and cause scars
- Don’t use harsh scrubs: they don’t remove comedones; they just scratch your barrier
- Don’t layer too many occlusive products: your skin needs to breathe
- Don’t switch products every day: consistency is key!
Basically: be kind to your barrier.
What Actually Works to Clear Closed Comedones
Here are things that finally saved my skin:
1. Gentle exfoliation 2 to 3 times a week:
- Salicylic acid (BHA) unclogs pores from the inside
- AHA (glycolic/lactic acid) smooths surface texture
2. Retinoids: The gold standard. Retinoids increase cell turnover and prevent pores from clogging.
They take time, but when they work… THEY WORK.
3. A gentle, non-stripping cleanser: Remove oils and buildup without making your skin cry.
4. Lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturisers: Hydration should be breathable, not suffocating.
5. A proper double cleanse (especially if you wear makeup/SPF): The first cleanse removes makeup/sunscreen; the second cleanse removes what’s left behind.
6. Professional extraction: If the bumps are stubborn, a dermatologist or facialist can safely clear them without damage.
Healing Your Skin Starts with Healing Your Habits
At the end of the day, there isn’t just one culprit behind closed comedones – at least none that I can speak of. For many of us, it’s a mix of lifestyle, habits, hormones, and sometimes just plain bad luck.
For me, the turning point in my skin took a lot of time (more than six months), and it only happened when I made significant changes – this meant lighter meals, less oil, less sugar, slowing down my double-cleansing routine instead of rushing it, and NOT skipping moisturiser anymore. Oh, and lots more water. Always more water.
So if your skin is acting up, be patient with it and with yourself. Tiny shifts in your routine, your diet, and your daily care genuinely make a difference.
Bit by bit, your skin will find its balance again… and so will you.