A UK-based dermatologist says Chrissy Teigen has been squeezing the wrong thing on her nose for years. The dark spots she stares at up close are not blackheads, as she has always assumed, but something else entirely — and they should not be squeezed.
The American model and television personality Teigen detailed her interest in pore strips while on a 2018 holiday. She put the product on her nose and chin, studied what came off, and shared images of each tiny pile that emerged. Now Ghadiri is saying Teigen’s efforts were directed at the wrong spot entirely.
The spots are not blackheads
In an October 1 YouTube Short, Ghadiri described the dark spots on the nose as sebaceous filaments. These are natural structures in the skin that assist in moving oil, or sebum, toward the surface. They are distinct from blackheads, which are a form of acne, and cannot be removed with an exfoliant or extraction tool.
Stars like Teigen have worked pore strips into their routines. Pore strips are marketed as a quick fix, promising to pull out the buildup. Ghadiri suggested this approach isn’t a lasting solution either, as it “clears only the top.”.
Ghadiri said that whatever the strip extracts from the skin will quickly be replaced by fresh sebum and “block the pores,” which means the spots return. Face scrubs work the same way, clearing only the top layer instead of permanently removing sebaceous filaments.
How to treat them instead
According to Dr. Rinky Kapoor, who serves as Director and Co-founder of The Esthetics Clinics, there are gentler approaches to handling these spots. She says the emphasis should lie on managing the factors behind their look, which include too much oil production and the buildup of dead skin cells.
In a September 9 interview with Hindustan Times, Kapoor said that salicylic acid removes excessive oil and dead skin cells responsible for dark spots. “Retinol helps clear pores and supports the skin’s natural renewal process,”
A nighttime routine with retinol-infused creams was suggested alongside cleansers packed with salicylic acid, which can reach inside pores. For people who don’t have much time to devote to daily skincare, clay and charcoal masks provide an easier alternative.
Prevention over cure
Khloé Kardashian expressed her enthusiasm for clay-based skincare in 2016, revealing that kaolin and bentonite were among her preferred ingredients. But these treatments shouldn’t be overused, as too much application can leave the complexion feeling dry or irritated.
Follow the product’s directions, and apply moisturizer afterward to help support the skin’s moisture barrier.
The idea that stopping a problem is better than fixing it applies to dark spots too. Kapoor recommended giving the skin room to rest.
“We know you simply adore makeup, but give your skin a makeup-free day at least once a week,” she said. “Makeup can sometimes contribute to blackheads when it clogs the pores.”
Kapoor also advised choosing “non-comedogenic” makeup and skincare products, as they are specifically formulated to help prevent clogged pores.
The takeaway
The main takeaway here is to ease up on the pressure. Those dark spots on your nose aren’t blackheads, and pore strips won’t fix them for good. Instead, handle them gently, using targeted ingredients such as salicylic acid and retinoids, or giving them an occasional clay or charcoal mask.
Kapoor offers a way to escape the whole mess: he says people should take a day off makeup.
- Dark spots on the nose are sebaceous filaments, not blackheads
- Pore strips clear only the top layer
- Salicylic acid and retinoids can reduce their appearance
- Clay and charcoal masks help absorb excess oil
- Non-comedogenic products prevent clogged pores
Chrissy Teigen was unaware of it until now, while Khloé Kardashian likely knew about it from the start.
Source material: “Dermatologist Warns Squeezing Black Spots On Your Nose Is A Serious Mistake Because They’re Not What You Think,” Bored Panda.
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