Are you tired of blackheads forming on your skin? There’s no reason you have to deal with these little blemishes any longer.
By using a few simple, safe, and natural ingredients, you can have your skin back to normal faster than you might have ever imagined.
Here are some easy-to-follow recipes you can immediately add to your skin care routine – no matter what your skin type may be. You’ll also learn the steps to take to help prevent blackheads from coming back.
How Do Blackheads Form In The First Place?
Blackheads form on the skin when an oily substance, known as sebum, combines with dead skin cells to clog pores. The sebum/skin cell combination eventually hardens. This is what leads to the dark color for which blackheads are known. It’s basically the same principle behind a pimple. The only real difference is that a blackhead isn’t covered by skin.1
DIY Face Masks For Blackhead Extraction
There are many common ingredients you can use to try and get rid of stubborn blackheads. In fact, you might already have a lot of them at home. If you don’t, a quick trip to the grocery store will be all you need.
Take baking soda, for example. There’s a good chance you have some in your kitchen. Baking soda can be a big part of your skin care routine. It works as a great exfoliant, as may work to eliminate the oil and dead skin cells that cause blackheads.
All you need to do is mix two tablespoons of baking soda with the same amount of lukewarm water. This will form a paste that you’ll then massage into your face. Then, all you need to do is wash your face and apply some moisturizer. Do this two or three times a week.
You could also try a mixture of lemon juice, honey, and brown sugar to remove blackheads from your nose and chin. Mix two tablespoons of lemon juice with a tablespoon each of brown sugar and honey. Massage the mixture into your face and leave it on for five minutes. Wash it off and apply moisturizer. After a few days, you may see a reduction in the amount of blackheads.
Stubborn Blackhead Removal: Other Natural Methods To Consider
Did you know green tea could help get rid of blackheads as well? The reason is that it contains substances known as polyphenols. These help regulate oil production, keeping your pores from becoming clogged in the process.2
Empty out two bags into some warm water. Then, add enough aloe vera gel to make a paste. Apply the paste, leave it in for 15 minutes, and then rinse. Do this twice a week. Jojoba oil can also help you eliminate blackheads. Mix a couple of drops of jojoba oil with the same amount of olive oil. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and apply it to the areas you typically see blackheads. Try this a few times a week and see if it works.
Apple cider vinegar is another potent weapon in your battle against blackheads. Mix two tablespoons with eight ounces of warm water. Apply with a cloth to blackhead-prone areas and leave on for 20 minutes. Do this every time you wash your face.
Easy Methods For Preventing Blackheads From Forming
There are certain things you can do to try to avoid the frustration of having to deal with blackheads. These will help keep your skin free of the dirt and other debris that can cause problems.
Keep your hands away from your face whenever possible. This can be very hard, of course, but it’s important to not touch your face. If you have to do it, try to remember to thoroughly wash your hands first.- Try to avoid popping blackheads. This can cause damage to skin tissue and could even result in scars.
- Make sure you are properly moisturizing your skin. Yes, even if you have oily skin. Dry skin can lead to an excess production of sebum, which may lead to more blackheads. Moisturizing oily skin may help balance out the sebum levels.
- Wash, but don’t wash your face too often. It might not seem to make sense, but over-washing your face to get rid of dirt and other debris can rob your skin of moisture. This can lead to an over-production of facial oil – and this could actually make your blackheads worse.3
How Can Makeup Affect Blackhead Development?
If you have a problem with blackheads, one of the most important things you can do to prevent them is to thoroughly wash your face before going to bed. Sleeping with makeup on can increase the risk for blackheads – especially on the cheeks.4 Make a note to always clean off all of your makeup before bedtime, and you might soon find your blackhead problem is gone for good.
Gently Exfoliate With AHAs And BHAs
Exfoliation with substances known as AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) can also help you get rid of blackheads. One example of an AHA is glycolic acid, while salicylic acid is an example of a BHA. Glycolic and salicylic acids gently remove the top layer of your skin – potentially taking blackheads with them in the process and helping to unclog pores.5
What To Do If You Still Have Stubborn Blackheads And Blemishes
There are some instances where, no matter what you might try on your own, you have a hard time getting rid of blackheads. You might want to consider speaking with a dermatologist or a licensed esthetician to get to the root of your problem and eliminate it for good.
If you’ve tried using the tips listed above, and you still have stubborn blackheads after a few weeks, consider talking to a professional. The same is true if you have blackheads near your eyes or near your ear canal. Talking to an expert will help ensure that they are removed as effectively as possible, helping you avoid infections or scarring in the process.6
Some people will try to use blackhead removal tools they can purchase online or at a local store. A blackhead extractor has a tiny loop that pulls back the skin. This allows the material inside the blackhead to come through the skin. These are for professional use and should be used at home. The reason is that it could cause further damage if not used correctly.7
Hopefully, you’ll find success using the natural methods you learned about earlier. If they don’t work, however, talk to an expert. Please don’t take the risk of causing permanent skin damage by doing something you shouldn’t.
Learn More:
LED Light For Skin Care: What You Need To Know
Beauty And Skin Care At Home: How To Use A Facial Roller
How Can Low Humidity Affect Your Skin?
Sources
1 https://www.medicinenet.com/blackheads/article.htm
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5384166/
3 https://www.emedihealth.com/remove-blackheads.html
4 https://www.healthline.com/health/blackheads-on-cheeks
5 https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-get-rid-of-blackheads#exfoliate
6 https://dermcollective.com/blackheads/#when_to_see_a_dermatologist
7 https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/blackhead-removal
