Does Oil Gritting Help You Get Rid Of Blackheads?
Oil gritting feels satisfying. But is it really a skincare revolution or just greasy drama and big claims?
Are we still contemplating the magical effects of oil gritting for getting those stubborn blackheads off? The internet’s skincare ritual –oil gritting has been back in town again running that rumour mill that it works wonders. Excuse me?
Oil gritting is the process of massaging your pores by layering acids and oils to purge the pores of sebaceous filaments, blackheads. How does that work? The baddies end up as small particles on your hands post rub. The finish look? Detoxed skin. The reality? It helps you get rid of that dead skin build-up and maybe that gunk around your nose.
What’s Actually Happening?
Let’s bust the spa-scented myth with a little science. According to dermatologists, the tiny particles of gunk that you find sticking to your fingers after massaging for around 15-20 mins, are usually a mix of dead skin, product residue, and oxidized sebum—most of which is sitting as a thin layer on the surface of the skin around your nose, especially in the curves.
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When you massage oil, that layer breaks ang softens up. Basically, that’s how it dislodges. So, purging it is, but of blackheads? Nah. More like buffing a waxed floor. They are said to be stubborn for a reason, yeah?
While oil massaging your face may feel like you are nourishing while exfoliating it gently, it’s not a skincare breakthrough. You’re not watching toxins evacuate. You’re watching grease and exfoliant roll into little skin noodles.
What you are actually doing to your skin by over-massaging it, especially with strong acids or abrasive oils, and regular oils is that it can damage your barrier and cause micro-tears. Cue: inflammation, irritation, and a sudden rash of new issues that no amount of Jojoba oil can fix
And let’s not forget the classic skincare irony: many who swear by oil gritting are also over-cleansing and under-moisturising. Because when the skin feels “squeaky clean,” it’s often just screaming for help.
Is it all fake then? Not entirely.
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While oil gritting may not remove the blackheads, an occasional oil massage can help boost the blood circulation in your face, helping it relax. Even moisture it for those who have extremely dry skin. For acne prone skin or ones with eczema, plain and simple, avoid it.
What Works for Blackheads?
First up, no amount of scrubbing your face into oblivion with oils and blackhead strips and clay masks is going to get those pores completely cleaned up. If you really want them to repent ever show up on your T-zone, pick retinoids.
Blackheads show up when the keratin and oil stick together and block the pore. So use of retinoids not only shrinks those oil glands and reduce the formation of keratin but also speed up the cell turnover by making the dead skin shed faster.
Also, you'd be happy to know that unlike the quick fixes like clay masks and pore strips give, the effects of retinoids are long-term. They're preventative.
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So next time any Insta trend creeps its way on to your feed and has nothing to do with retinoids, skip. Adapalene and tretinoin are your best friends, guys!