The black dots on your nose may not be blackheads.

If you've ever looked closely at the skin on your nose, you might have seen tiny dots that appear black or brown. Your first reaction may be to assume these are blackheads – those familiar dark spots created by congested hair follicles or excess oils blocking your pores.

But one dermatologist has claimed this may not always be the case. If various blackhead removal techniques have failed, you could be dealing with something else.

Dermatologist and researcher Dr Neera Nathan from Massachusetts General Hospital insists those little black dots are a common feature for all of us and are entirely normal.

Dr Neera posted a TikTok video showing someone close-up on their nose, questioning whether the visible black specks were blackheads or freckles. The person remarked that these marks had always been present, and no remedy seemed to budge them.

The dermatologist explained that the spots in question are "sebaceous filaments," which everyone possesses. These filaments are like tiny hairs lining our pores, functioning to move sebum, the natural oil of the body, towards the surface of the skin.

Though they're a natural aspect of human skin, Dr Neera did offer her top three tips for those aiming to reduce visibility and achieve clearer-looking pores.

She said: "The smell of sulphur isn't sexy, but what she can do for your skin could not be sexier. Massage a sulphur treatment into your sebaceous filaments and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing off.

"My girl salicylic acid will make those sebaceous filaments melt away. I love the salicylic acid cleanser because it can deep into pores to decrease sebum production and will remove debris without wrecking your skin barrier.

"[And finally], the GOAT [greatest of all time] is adapalene. Use it nightly to help dissolve sebaceous filaments and smooth out nose texture."

Products containing salicylic acid are readily available at high street chemists like Boots and Superdrug, often merchandised as facial washes aimed at combating acne. Adapalene is generally accessible in the UK within a product labelled Differin 0.1%, a prescription-only medication tailored for blackhead and whitehead treatment.

Sebaceous filaments are an integral, perfectly normal part of your skin's oil mechanism, which keeps both skin and hair moisturised and gleaming. They might stand out more distinctly if your glands are overzealous with sebum secretion, so implementing a gentle skincare regimen designed to manage an oily complexion could tone down their prominence.

How to combat oily skin

Oily skin can result from various determinants, including genetics and age, environmental factors, stress, and dietary habits. While there's little you can do if your skin is naturally oily, a proper skincare routine can help manage the condition. The Cleveland Clinic suggests adhering to these steps:

1. Wash your face twice a day and after exercise
2. Avoid harsh face products
3. Don't scrub too hard when you wash
4. Use a soothing toner
5. Moisturise your skin and wear sunscreen
6. Stay hydrated
7. Try not to touch your face throughout the day