Jo - you want to get rid of the blackheads before you start tightening the pores, otherwise the dried sebum can't remove itself.

If you've got a whitehead and blackhead problem, it's usually because your not getting rid of dead skin cells quick enough which are blocking the pore and the oil produced is trapped. So we need to make sure we are cleansing properly with effective products. There is no overnight treatment to getting rid of the dried sebum... But some things to help get rid of them and control the situation is to massage the effective areas when cleansing -which should be done twice a day, ensuring all make up is removed. If you wear make up, make sure you cleanse twice to ensure it is completely removed. Secondly, until you get your skin under control, mask every two days (just on the effected area) - this shouldn't be a drying mask, use a good quality mask (I can recommend a really fantastic chamomile mask), and it's also great to use a scrub -dry- once a week if the products you use don't contain any AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy Acid desolves the glue that holds on the dead skin cells) or simillar, but if they do - dry scrub once every two to three weeks. Moisturising is really important, make sure you are moisturising the area - Because dry sebum can also be developed from lack of moisture, so drink up water and apply a good moisturiser. Lastly, don't use waterproof sunscreen on the face and don't use any astringents. I hope my typing made some sort of sense... A bit tired today!