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Whiteheads

Whiteheads, known as closed comedones, refer to pores that are filled with the excess grease and sloughed off cells, but that allow only a microscopic opening to the skin's surface.

Unlike blackheads, clogged sebum is not exposed to air in areas where whiteheads occur. Whiteheads are formed when sebum and bacteria are trapped below the skin's surface. Oxidization doesn't take place, so the tips of pimples aren't darkened as in the case of blackheads. Whiteheads form pearly, tiny, white raised spots called milia. When bacteria enter these plugs, the condition can lead to cystic acne.