Those pesky little bumps on your chin are called “closed comedones”. Here’s what you can do to get rid of them.

Do you have little bumps on your chin and wonder what they are? These are “closed comedones”.

While they can appear on any part of the body, closed comedones typically occur on the face. Unlike a pimple, they are not inflamed or red nor do they hurt. Nonetheless, it bugs us to see them appear on our skin.

What causes them?

These little bumps occur when a combination of skin cells and sebum is trapped within a hair follicle, forming a plug, which clogs the tunnel-like hair structure, causing it to swell. This process creates a comedo, which looks like a bump.

While everyone develops comedones every once in a while, if it is constant, it is could likely be a form of comedonal acne.

They’re most common during adolescence when the sebaceous glands become more active, but adults with oily skin may also face this issue.

Those who use skincare products that are oilier or heavier may also be more prone to comedones.

Getting rid of closed comedones

Look out for products with salicylic acid and glycolic acid – two ingredients that can help prevent clogged pores.

Salicylic acid is commonly used in as an acne treatment and it eliminates comedones by penetrating into hair follicles and getting rid of the plugs.

Glycolic acid, on the other hand, works by increasing the cell turnover rate and dissolving the bonds that hold skin cells together.

Having the smallest molecule among all alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), it also can be absorbed into the skin more easily. Besides exfoliating skin, it triggers collagen production as well.

If you’re looking for a more complete routine to get rid of closed comedones on the chin, influencer Sonia has a seven-step routine that she swears by:

Step 1: Cleanse with a facial wash that contains amino acids. Use a foaming net to create dense and fluffy foam, which can help get rid of sebum more easily. Focus more on the oilier parts of your skin, such as your T-zone, during this cleansing step.

Step 2: Apply a warm compress on the chin for 20 seconds to open up the pores. You can simply use a towel that has been soaked in hot water.

Step 3: Apply a cleansing or facial oil on the area. You may be surprised, but oil helps to remove oil, so this step can help get rid of excess sebum. Massage the product onto the chin in a circular motion, then emulsify and rinse with warm water.

Step 4: Apply salicylic acid using a cotton pad. Remember to go easy with this step if you haven’t used salicylic acid before. But if you’re a seasoned user, you may leave the cotton pad on your skin for up to five minutes.

Step 5: Apply a clay mask to draw out any impurities.

Step 6: Wash off the mask, then, use a dental floss pick to gently scrape and remove the comedones.

Step 7: Finally, soothe your skin with a mask. If you don’t have one on hand, you can create a DIY mask by soaking a cotton pad with a hydrating toner.

Products that help remove closed comedones