Plenty of people would count blackheads among the most common — and most stubborn — skin conditions. This type of acne develops when oil (sebum) and dead skin cells combine to form a plug that clogs your pores.

Sometimes, cleansing and exfoliating may be enough to loosen the plug and draw it out. But if the plug hardens, or it’s too deep to access, you might not be able to remove the blackhead on your own.

Below, you’ll find tips on how to use over-the-counter (OTC) products for blackheads, information on what to expect from professional removal, and more.

Your first step should always be to cleanse your face.

There’s a right way to wash your face — find out how here.

Cleansing is best done twice each day: once in the morning and once again at the end of your day. If you work out or get sweaty during the day, you may want to wash your face again afterward.

That said, try to avoid over-cleansing. This can dry out your skin and cause more dead skin cells and sebum to accumulate in your pores.

Tip: If you prefer to wash your face more frequently, try limiting cleansing to morning and evening washes and rinsing with plain water throughout the day to avoid drying out your face.

The type of cleanser you use can also make a difference in blackhead removal and prevention.

Many people prefer gel-based cleansers, which:

• aren’t oily like some cream-based cleansers
• are typically safe for both oily and sensitive skin

A daily cleanser with micro-exfoliants can also help remove dead skin cells.

Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, sebum, and other debris from the surface of your skin.

When it comes to physical exfoliants, you have plenty of options, but avoid choosing anything too harsh that will irritate your pores. Ground-up nuts and other harsh beads may irritate active breakouts or sensitive skin.

Consider something simple, like a do-it-yourself (DIY) natural option or an over-the-counter (OTC) scrub with gentle ingredients, like oatmeal.

You’ll generally want to follow the instructions on the product you choose, but this is a good starting place for most exfoliants:

1. Apply a thin layer of exfoliant.
2. Spread it evenly over your skin.
3. Massage — don’t scrub — it into your skin.
4. You might need to leave it on your face for several minutes, but check the product package to be sure.
5. Once the process is done, rinse off the product completely.

Steam can help loosen the gunk that’s clogging your pores, setting you up for a more effective extraction process. You don’t need a spa steamer to get these benefits, though.

To open your pores with steam at home, try this technique:

1. First, boil up to 6 cups of water in a pot or kettle.
2. Let the water cool for a minute or two.
3. Carefully pour the water into a bowl.
4. Sit in front of the bowl, resting your face about 6 inches above the water.
5. Drape a towel over your head and the water source to hold the steam in.
6. Raise or lower your head for more or less heat. Lift a corner of the towel to cool off, if needed.
7. Stay for up to 10 minutes at a time.