Whiteheads: Causes, Treatments, and Skin Care Strategies
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer: What causes whiteheads and how are they treated?
Whiteheads are a type of acne in which oil and dead skin close off a hair follicle, forming a closed white or yellowish bump, most often on the face, neck, back and chest. Over-the-counter salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids can clear them, and stubborn cases may need prescriptions. Don't squeeze them, as this can cause infection and scarring. [1]
What the research says
Acne is extremely common, and topical retinoids are first-line. A JAMA review reports that acne vulgaris affects about 9% of people worldwide and about 85% of those aged 12 to 24. First-line treatments are topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, or combinations; in one randomized trial of 207 patients, tretinoin 0.025% gel reduced acne lesion counts by 63% at 12 weeks compared with baseline (Eichenfield et al., JAMA, 2021) [2].
Acne takes a real emotional toll. A meta-analysis of 42 studies found a significant association of acne vulgaris with depression (r = 0.22, 95% CI 0.17–0.26) and anxiety (r = 0.25, 95% CI 0.19–0.31), and the authors advise treating acne actively and considering psychiatric screening or referral (Samuels et al., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2020) [3].
Probiotics haven't been shown to clear acne. A meta-analysis of 5 randomized trials (332 participants) found no significant reduction in inflammatory, non-inflammatory, or total acne lesion counts with Lactobacillus-based probiotics compared with placebo or benzoyl peroxide (Abedin et al., Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026) [4].
What Are Whiteheads?
Whiteheads are a type of acne (acne vulgaris) and a milder form of it. Oil and dead skin close off hair follicles or sebaceous (oil) glands and form a closed bump on your skin, called a comedo (plural: comedones). Whiteheads look like small bumps sticking up from the skin, and they are white or yellowish. They may be slightly tender, or you may have no symptoms at all [1].
Who Gets Whiteheads?
Whiteheads are very common — some researchers suggest they affect nearly everyone at some point. They typically affect teenagers and young adults going through hormonal changes, but 10% to 20% of adults have them too, and many people continue to have them in their 20s, 30s, and beyond. Some even develop them for the first time as adults [1].
Your face (especially your nose, chin, and forehead, and sometimes your cheeks or around your mouth), neck, back, chest, and upper arms are most likely to develop whiteheads. Oil glands are all over your body, though, so they can occasionally appear on the buttocks, thighs, ears, scalp, armpits, and genital area [1].
What Causes Whiteheads?
Whiteheads form when a hair follicle and its oil gland become inflamed, which can result from extra oil, abnormal keratin formation or more acne-causing bacteria. They release sebum, an oily lubricant that keeps your skin and hair hydrated. Whiteheads occur when a hair follicle and its sebaceous gland become inflamed, which can result from [1]:
Increased sebum (oil) production
Abnormal formation of keratin, the protein that helps make your hair, skin, and nails
An increased presence of the bacteria that cause acne on your skin
Whiteheads aren't contagious. They don't seriously affect your physical health, but they can affect how you feel about yourself and are sometimes associated with anxiety, depression, and mood disorders [1].
Whiteheads vs. Blackheads
Feature | Whiteheads | Blackheads |
|---|---|---|
Type of bump | Closed bump on the skin | Open bump on the skin |
Color | White or yellowish | Dark |
Category | Comedone (a type of acne) | Comedone (a type of acne) |
Retinoid treatment | Retinoids break them up and help prevent clogged pores | Retinoids break them up and help prevent clogged pores |
Whiteheads are easy to recognize, so you don't necessarily need a healthcare professional to diagnose them. If you have whiteheads along with other severe forms of acne, see a dermatologist [1].
What are the treatment options for whiteheads?
Whiteheads can often be cleared with nonprescription medicines, and if those fail, options include prescription retinoids, oral antibiotics, chemical peels and laser treatments.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Nonprescription medications can get rid of whiteheads on your face [1]:
Ingredient | How it helps | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Salicylic acid | Dissolves dead skin cells and removes the top layer of damaged skin, preventing follicles from clogging | Available as a cleanser or lotion |
Azelaic acid | Kills microorganisms on the skin and reduces swelling | A natural acid found in grains such as barley, wheat, and rye |
Benzoyl peroxide | Targets surface bacteria that often aggravate acne | Gel or wash; lower concentrations and washes are less irritating; dryness is a common side effect |
Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) | Break up whiteheads and blackheads and help prevent clogged pores | Differin is available without a prescription; may cause skin color change or peeling — using them every other day or with a moisturizer can reduce this |
Professional Treatments
If whiteheads don't go away with nonprescription medications, your healthcare provider or a medical aesthetician may recommend [1]:
Prescription-strength retinoids, which are stronger than nonprescription retinoids
Oral antibiotics, which reduce the bacteria involved in acne
Microdermabrasion, in which a specialized instrument "sands" the skin, removing top layers to free the clogs
Chemical peels, which use a mild chemical solution to remove layers of skin and reduce whiteheads
Laser skin resurfacing, which uses concentrated pulses of light to reduce the amount of oil your sebaceous glands produce
Why shouldn't you squeeze whiteheads?
Squeezing whiteheads is best avoided because it can bring in bacteria, irritate your skin and cause scarring. Squeezing can [1]:
Introduce bacteria into the whitehead opening, which can cause an infection
Irritate your skin: your nails are much stronger than your skin, so applying heavy pressure can cause inflammation
Scar your skin: too much pressure can seriously damage it, and if a whitehead is deep in the skin you may not even extract it
Most whiteheads go away on their own, though it may take a little time — sometimes up to seven days [1].
How can daily care help prevent whiteheads?
Preventing whiteheads is difficult, if not impossible, during normal hormonal changes, but some things can help [1]:
Wash your face daily with warm water and a mild facial cleanser
Use moisturizer routinely
Use "noncomedogenic" makeup if you wear it, and remove it at the end of each day
Wash your hair routinely and keep hair products away from your face
Keep your hands away from your face
To keep whiteheads from getting irritated, don't touch or pick at them, be careful around them while shaving, and regularly clean items that touch your face, including your cell phone, sports helmets, sunglasses, clothing, and pillowcases [1].
What is the outlook for whiteheads, and when should you see a provider?
Whiteheads often go away in early adulthood, though some people continue to have them throughout life. See your healthcare provider as soon as you notice whiteheads so you can start treatment right away, and if whiteheads are causing symptoms of anxiety or depression, talk to your provider about both your skin and your mental health [1].
Conclusion
Whiteheads are a common, mild form of acne caused by oil, dead skin, and inflammation in a hair follicle. They usually respond to over-the-counter ingredients like salicylic acid, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids, and they heal best when you resist squeezing them and keep up a gentle daily routine. Because they can affect mental health even though they don't threaten physical health, getting help early is worthwhile [1].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a whitehead and a blackhead?
Both are comedones. Whiteheads are closed bumps on the skin that look white or yellowish, while blackheads are open bumps that look dark [1].
Should I pop a whitehead if it looks ready?
No. Squeezing can introduce bacteria and cause infection, irritate and inflame your skin (your nails are much stronger than your skin), and cause scarring. If a whitehead is deep in the skin, you may not even be able to extract it [1].
How long does a whitehead take to go away on its own?
Most whiteheads go away on their own, but it may take a little time — sometimes up to seven days. It's still better to see a healthcare provider at the first sign of whiteheads and follow their treatment suggestions [1].
Are whiteheads contagious?
No. You can't spread them to another person through skin-to-skin contact [1].
What are the best over-the-counter ingredients for whiteheads?
Nonprescription options include salicylic acid, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids such as Differin (adapalene), which is now available without a prescription. Retinoids break up whiteheads and help prevent clogged pores; if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, ask your provider before using one [1].
Can adults get whiteheads?
Yes. Whiteheads are most common in adolescents, but 10% to 20% of adults have them too, and some people get them for the first time as adults [1].
Where on the body do whiteheads appear?
Most often on the face (especially the nose, chin, and forehead), neck, back, chest, and upper arms. Less commonly they can appear on the buttocks, thighs, ears, scalp, armpits, and genital area [1].
Can makeup cause whiteheads?
You don't have to stop using makeup, but try to use "noncomedogenic" products and remove your makeup at the end of each day [1].
What should I do if my whiteheads are affecting my mood?
Whiteheads can affect you psychologically and are sometimes associated with anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. If you notice symptoms of anxiety or depression, talk to your healthcare provider [1].
How often should I wash my face?
Cleveland Clinic recommends washing your face daily with warm water and a mild facial cleanser, and using moisturizer routinely [1].
Related Reading
Comedonal Acne: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How It's Treated explains acne made of clogged pores like whiteheads and blackheads.
Milia (Milk Spots): Causes, Symptoms, and Skin Care describes tiny white bumps that are often mistaken for whiteheads.
Acne: Complete Guide to Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment covers all acne types and the treatments that work.
Acne Scars: Types, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment (2026 Guide) explains how picking spots can scar and how scars are treated.
References
Source currency note: The Cleveland Clinic page was last updated on November 12, 2021, and the three studies were checked against PubMed. This article reflects the most current information available from those sources.
Cleveland Clinic. Whiteheads: what they are, causes, treatment & prevention. Cleveland Clinic. November 12, 2021. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22039-whiteheads
Eichenfield DZ, Sprague J, Eichenfield LF. Management of acne vulgaris: a review. JAMA. 2021;326(20):2055-2067. PMID 34812859. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.17633
Samuels DV, Rosenthal R, Lin R, et al. Acne vulgaris and risk of depression and anxiety: a meta-analytic review. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2020;83(2):532-541. PMID 32088269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.02.040
Abedin ZU, Shah A, Mazhar S, et al. Lactobacillus-based microbiome therapy for acne vulgaris: a GRADE systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2026;25(3):e70792. PMID 41853869. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.70792
Medical disclaimer
Health information, not medical advice. This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your own health, and seek emergency care for urgent symptoms.
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