Sebaceous filaments or blackheads? How to tell

Sebaceous filaments are the small grey or yellowish dots in the pores on your nose and other oily areas. They line the pore and help oil reach the surface. Everyone has them and they refill, so they cannot be removed for good. Blackheads are darker, plugged pores. For both, a leave-on 2% BHA can help clear pore build-up, which can make pores look less visible.

What sebaceous filaments are

A sebaceous filament is a thin, waxy thread of oil that lines a pore and helps oil travel to the surface. It is a normal part of your skin, not a blackhead and not a spot. You notice them more on oily skin, especially on the nose, and also on the chin, forehead and cheeks.

How to tell them apart

	Sebaceous filament	Blackhead
Colour	Grey, tan or yellowish	Dark brown or black
Look	Small, flat, pale dots	Darker dots that can sit slightly raised
Where	Especially the nose; also the chin, forehead and cheeks	Often the forehead and chin
What it is	A normal lining of the pore that lets oil flow out	A pore plugged with oil and dead skin; "black because of surface pigment (melanin), rather than dirt" (DermNet)
Does it come back?	Yes. Once emptied, the pore fills again within about a month	It can clear with a consistent routine, and new ones can form

Still not sure? Look in good daylight. Small, pale, flat dots across your nose are most likely sebaceous filaments.

Why they show more on oily skin

When a pore makes more oil, the filament fills up and is easier to see, which is why they stand out on an oily T-zone. BHA is oil-soluble and works inside pores, which is why it is usually suggested for oily skin. See BHA for oily and combination skin.

The Glowness 2% BHA Serum (50 ml) is a leave-on exfoliant with 2% plant-derived salicylic acid, made for oily and combination skin*.

Start Glowing

Compare 2-packs and 3-packs

Also available on Amazon UK (opens in a new tab)

*Based on a 28-day dermatologist-assessed study of 20 women aged 18-35 when used as part of a skincare routine. Individual results may vary.

What you can do

Cleanse and pat your face dry.
Apply a leave-on 2% BHA. With Glowness: put 2-3 drops on your fingertips and massage in gently with upward motions. Avoid the eye area. Do not rinse.
Wait 15-20 minutes so it absorbs, then follow with moisturiser.
Use SPF, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterward.

How often, and what to expect

A 2% BHA helps clear pore build-up, which can make pores look less visible. It will not remove sebaceous filaments for good, because they refill.

Follow the directions on the pack. If irritation develops, rinse it off and stop using it. New to a BHA? Patch test it first.

What to skip

Squeezing or extraction tools: squeezing can irritate and mark the skin, and the pore fills again.
Pore strips: they can pull sebaceous filaments out, but the pores fill again, and removing them can dry out your skin.

Can they turn into blackheads?

Yes. If the pore becomes plugged with oil and dead skin, a sebaceous filament can become a blackhead. For blackheads, see blackheads and visible pores: a simple routine.

Be realistic

Pore size is largely set by genetics and age, so no product can change it; keeping pores clear can make them look less visible. Give a consistent routine several weeks before judging it. Results vary by skin type and routine consistency.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

Painful or persistent spots are not a cosmetic issue. Speak to a pharmacist or GP.

Warnings (from the product page)

External use only. Patch-test before first use. In the event of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice if you experience irritation; rinse skin and discontinue use. Consult a physician if you are pregnant, nursing, or allergic to salicylic acid. Not to be used for children under 3 years of age. Keep out of reach of children.

Use SPF, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterward.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Are sebaceous filaments blackheads?

No. They are a normal part of the pore. A blackhead is a pore plugged with oil and dead skin; DermNet says it is "black because of surface pigment (melanin), rather than dirt".

Do sebaceous filaments go away?

Not for good. They refill, so the aim is to make them less visible, not to remove them.

What does salicylic acid do to sebaceous filaments?

No product removes them for good. A 2% BHA helps clear pore build-up, which can make pores look less visible.

Should I squeeze them or use pore strips?

Better not. Squeezing can irritate and mark the skin, pore strips can dry out your skin, and the pores fill again either way.

Can sebaceous filaments turn into blackheads?

Yes, if the pore becomes plugged with oil and dead skin.

How often should I use the BHA?

Follow the directions on the pack.