Clogged pores are a skin issue that most people deal with. But while you may assume those tiny little dots on your skin are blackheads, they could also be sebaceous filaments. For some they are barely visible, but for those with oily skin, they can make pores look enlarged and contribute to the development of blackheads and whiteheads. We’re doing a deep dive into the difference between sebaceous filaments vs. blackheads, plus what you should (and shouldn’t) do for sebaceous filaments treatment.

We’ll explain:

• What are sebaceous filaments?
• Blackheads vs sebaceous filaments: What’s the difference?
• How to get rid of sebaceous filaments?

What are sebaceous filaments?

It’s important to understand that sebaceous filaments are a normal part of skin and everyone has them. They are tiny, tube-like structures that line pores, allowing sebum to flow from glands to the surface of the skin. While you may not initially think so, this is a good thing! Sebum is a necessary component of a properly hydrated complexion and a strong protective moisture barrier.

However, for those with an overproduction of oil, sebaceous filaments can become more prominent when excess sebum and dead skin cells collect around the hair follicle. This causes the pore to look darker and enlarged and can contribute to acne.

Blackheads vs sebaceous filaments: What’s the difference?

It can be easy to mix them up, but there are indeed distinct differences when it comes to blackheads vs sebaceous filaments. Most importantly, blackheads are a form of acne while sebaceous filaments are normal component of healthy skin. We turned to our resident expert, LovelySkin founder, CEO and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joel Schlessinger, for clarification:

“Learning the difference between sebaceous filaments vs. blackheads lies primarily in size and shade. A blackhead is a mixture of oil, dead skin cells and bacteria that oxidizes at the top of a pore, creating what’s called a comedo. A normal sebaceous filament is smaller than a blackhead and lighter in color. However, sebaceous filaments that fill with excess oil can lead to blackheads and whiteheads, so it’s important to exfoliate to help prevent that.”

What comes out of an extracted sebaceous filament is also much different than a blackhead. A sebaceous filament produces a tiny hair-like amount of yellow or clear substance. Sometimes, it produces nothing at all. An extracted blackhead will appear black in color.

How to get rid of sebaceous filaments?

Sebaceous filaments are a normal function of skin, therefore you can’t get rid of them completely – and you wouldn’t want to! We asked Dr. Schlessinger to provide more insight into the do’s and don’ts of sebaceous filament treatments:

“Do not squeeze or extract a sebaceous filament with your fingers. If you do try to extract them, sebum will come out, but they’ll just fill up again over a short time - usually about 30 days. Squeezing or ‘popping’ anything on your face will only injure the skin and can result in scarring, whether it’s a pimple, blackhead or sebaceous filament.”

Still, sebaceous filaments that become unsightly or are contributing to acne can become an issue. Managing skin’s oil production by making proper exfoliation a part of your weekly skin care regimen can help. Here are 4 few tips to remember when dealing with sebaceous filaments:

Don’t skip the cleanser.

If you deal with oily skin, cleanse your complexion twice a day using a salicylic acid cleanser like the LovelySkin LUXE Clarifying Gel Cleanser. Salicylic acid reaches deep into pores to dissolve dead skin cells and excess oil, helping prevent both blackheads and enlarged sebaceous filaments. As our favorite cleanser for acne, this foaming cleanser uses 2% salicylic acid plus 2% glycolic acid to provide mild exfoliation while maintaining a proper moisture balance, so your skin won’t overdry.

Try a gentle exfoliating treatment.

Use a daily leave-on treatment that provides exfoliation without the irritation like LovelySkin LUXE Acne Care 9%. This skin renewal product features a lightweight formula powered by a blend of vitamin C, Dead Sea minerals and amino-based filaggrin antioxidants called afaLUXE™. This blend works to improve skin's ability to retain moisture while gently exfoliating to remove dead skin cells, oil and debris that may lead to clogged pores or visible sebaceous filaments.

Use a retinol treatment to tighten pores.

Retinol is the gold standard ingredient for treating just about all things anti-aging, including issues with pores. Try a retinol-infused exfoliating treatment like Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel. Packaged in easy-to-use, pre-soaked towelettes, this daily exfoliating treatment uses glycolic acid, retinol, CoQ10 and resveratrol to refine pores, decrease oiliness and defend skin against environmental aggressors. For best results, watch this video to learn how to use Dr. Dennis Gross Daily Peels.

We also recommend the Jan Marini Age Intervention Duality for those who want to address wrinkles, large pores and skin inflammation in one simple step. Formulated with 0.5% retinol and 10% benzoyl peroxide, this advanced treatment helps destroy pore-clogging bacteria, encourages cell turnover and tighten enlarged pores.

Try a clay mask or skin care tool for instant pore-minimizing results.

If excess oil in sebaceous filaments has caused your pores to appear larger and you’re looking for instant results, try a spa-grade tool or a clarifying mask treatment.

Inspired by the professional spa treatment known as Ultrasonic Skin Scrubbing, the TrophySkin Labelle Ultrasonic Skin Spatula is designed to help unclog pores of excess oil and exfoliate dead skin for improved radiance, tone and texture. It features a “scrubbing” mode to decongest pores of impurities and then switches to an “infusion” mode to help treatment serums and creams to absorb more effectively. For best results, watch this video to learn how to use Trophy Skin Labelle Ultrasonic Skin Scrubber.

If you prefer a mask or topical treatment, there is nothing like a clay mask to provide immediate oil-absorbing and pore-tightening results. The SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Mask uses kaolin and bentonite clay to instantly absorb oil and lift impurities, while chamomile and aloe target redness and inflammation. Watch this video and keep your complexion clear of breakouts by learning how to use the SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque.

Want to learn more about taking care of oily skin? Read The Four Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin on our blog!