As for what causes blackheads, there can be a slew of answers to that question. Some potential factors include a combination of genetics, environmental elements such as sun exposure and pollution, makeup and comedogenic skin care, diets heavy in high-glycemic foods (think potatoes) that promote inflammation, fitness and exercise habits, inconsistent or inadequate skin care, and the list goes on. It’s complex, so generally speaking, a healthy diet, proper skin care routine, and fending off a few bad skin care habits can help get skin back on track. However, in some cases, skin simply just produces excess oil and you’ll simply have to adapt to that and find solutions that may help keep it under control.