Blackheads are grim, there's no way around this particular fact.

And when it comes to beauty bugbears, blackheads are one of the most annoying because they're difficult to get rid of. Pore strips have long been recommended for this particular skin woe but personally, I've never noticed any difference with this particular method. However, my recent discovery is a gamechanger and it's one product that's earned a forever spot in my beauty kit. Meet My Clarins Clear Out Blackhead Expert, priced at €26. It's designed to exfoliate and detoxify so that you're banishing blackheads but also keeping them away too. Yep, told you it was good. The stick exfoliates the T-zone to drive away blackheads and the purifying mask detoxifies, reducing visible pores and eliminating shine. Here's how to use with the dual action process proving key.

"Before the mask, apply the stick to damp skin on the T-zone, exfoliate, rinse thoroughly with water, then dry. Once the skin is dry, apply a thick layer of the mask all over the face. Leave on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse. Avoid the area around the eyes".

The stick is described as an "unsurpassed blackhead eraser" and the clay texture of the mask helps to draw out blackheads from beneath the surface of the skin - nasty but essential. Clear Out Blackhead Expert is suitable for all skin types and after using it for a couple of weeks, I have noticed a difference in the appearance and texture of my skin. It's definitely a useful product to have on hand for when your skin needs a deep clean and to immediately tackle blackheads when they inevitably make an unwelcome appearance, particularly for those of us with oily/combination skin.