What Are Sebum Plugs—and How Do You Get Rid of Them?

Are they different from blackheads and whiteheads?

Acne shows up in all different forms ranging from painful cystic bumps to tiny pustules filled with gunk, and each has its own treatment approach. A sebum plug is essentially a precursor to different types of acne, including blackheads and whiteheads, which tend to occur in large numbers on the forehead, chin, and nose. Ahead, we’re explaining what sebum plugs, the best way to get rid of them, and tips on prevention.

RELATED: How to Tell If You Have Congested Skin

What Are Sebum Plugs?

Sebum plugs are congested pores filled with a thick mixture of oil (sebum) and gunk that finds its way into pores, including dirt, makeup, and dead skin cells. They appear as small, dense white bumps just underneath the surface of skin, or they can sometimes poke through the skin and look like a tiny grain of rice.

People can experience just a few at a time, or they can show up as a smattering across your cheek, nose, and forehead, notes Kenneth Mark, MD, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist.

Sebum Plugs vs. Blackheads & Whiteheads

While sebum plugs, blackheads, and whiteheads are all related, they’re all different from each other. “Blackheads tend to be black due to pore material oxidation as it comes in contact with oxygen, while whiteheads are not oxidized pore material,” explains board-certified dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD, FAAD, director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Montefiore-Einstein Advanced Care.

She adds that sebaceous plugs can potentially start off as whiteheads or blackheads, but get more compacted and reinforced over time. In that sense, they’re usually denser, harder, and can be trickier to treat or extract.

What Causes Sebum Plugs?

Sebum plugs form due to excessive production of oil combined with not enough exfoliation and/or cleansing. Other elements can factor in, as well, including stress, hormones, certain medications, and cosmetics.

“People who are more predisposed to oil production in their skin will produce more oil and will have more enlarged pores where debris and oil can accumulate,” adds Dr. Kobets. “Sebum plugs can then be exacerbated by not washing off the excess oil, makeup, pollution, or other skin debris off the skin over time, allowing it to build up in the pores.”

How to Get Rid of Sebum Plugs

The best way to remove sebum plugs is to cleanse daily—making sure all makeup and dirt is adequately removed—and gently exfoliating. Products formulated for acne, such as those with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, can also help nix these frustrating little bumps.

• Cleanse Daily: Dr. Kobets says to wash your face morning and evening with a gentle foaming cleanser formulated for oily or acne-prone skin.

• Use Micellar Water: To ensure all dirt, debris, and makeup are gone, follow up with a gentle micellar water or cleansing toner. Apply to a cotton round and sweep across your skin.

• Gently Exfoliate: Exfoliation is paramount when dealing with sebum plugs, Dr. Mark says. Try a treatment product formulated with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These break down dead skin cell buildup while cutting through/dissolving excess oil.

• Topical Retinoids: “Prescription topical medications, such as retinoids, can exfoliate and decrease sebum production from the sebaceous gland,” Dr. Mark says.

• Professional Treatments: If these tricks aren’t helping, Dr. Mark suggests seeing a professional about once a month for a treatment that can help. He recommends a medical-grade chemical peel or microdermabrasion. Even a gentle facial including extractions can help clear up congestion.

• Reconsider Your Regimen: Examine your current skincare routine and decrease or minimize products with oils or dimethicone listed at the top of ingredients list, Dr. Kobets says. These can lead to buildup in the pores over time, resulting in plugs and congestion.

Should You Squeeze Sebum Plugs?

While trained estheticians and dermatologists can extract sebum plugs in the office, Dr. Kobets does not recommend this as a DIY job. Squeezing sebum plugs at home may be satisfying, but it can introduce an infection, spread bacteria and worsen acne, and can even push these dense plugs deeper under the skin.

In some cases, squeezing can even result in scarring. It’s best to follow the recommended treatment for sebum plugs listed above, which can also help prevent new plugs from forming and help keep your skin clear. 

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