Easy Home Remedies For Blackheads

Blackheads are regarded as the mildest and least inflammatory form of acne. However, these tiny dark spots are extremely hard to get rid of. Although blackheads can appear anywhere on the skin where hair follicles are present, they are usually concentrated at the center of your face, that is, on the nose, forehead, cheeks, and chin. The bridge and the sides of your nose are especially prone to blackheads because the pores in these areas are relatively larger. The larger the skin pore, the more likely it is to get plugged and form a blackhead.

They are caused when oil and sebum blocks the pores on your skin. This happens when skin is not cleansed properly and the oil settles in the pores over time. And when it’s exposed to air, it oxidises and turns black, forming blackheads. A are a problem faced by many individuals. It’s common and very annoying and most people get them at some point in their life. The most common area where the blackheads appear is the face. In fact, they can be classified as a mild type of acne. In medical terms, blackheads are open comedones. Blackheads are frequently seen on the nose, corner of the nose, cheeks, forehead and the chin area. But these can appear on other parts of the body as well.

Table Of Contents:

1. Additional Factors Responsible For Blackheads
2. Self Care And Home Remedies To Treat Blackheads
3. Easy Home Remedies for Blackheads
4. Few Myths And Facts About Blackheads

Additional Factors Responsible For Blackheads

• If you expose your skin to certain chemicals such as isopropyl myristate, oily pomades, propylene glycol, and some dyes that are commonly found in cosmetic products
• If your skin becomes excessively hydrated due to the overuse of skin moisturizers, increased atmospheric humidity, or natural changes before the onset of menstruation
• If you have naturally oily skin
• If the male sex hormone 5-testosterone (DHT), which is present in your skin cells, becomes overactive
• If you always wear tight-fitting clothes
• If you are an active or passive smoker
• If you spend too much time in the sun without proper skin protection
• If you are on certain steroid-based medications such as cortisone, including over-the-counter cortisone
• If you use excessive cosmetics on your skin for extended periods or go to sleep with makeup on

Self Care And Home Remedies To Treat Blackheads

Tackling blackheads can be very painful. The first of firsts for getting rid of blackheads is mosturising the skin with the right cream or mosturiser. Salicylic acid is a great option for dissolving blackheads away and it can be found in over-the-counter products available in the market. Retinoid skin creams are also a useful way to get rid of blackheads. Drinking a lot of water can help in hydrating the skin surface by keeping the potent oil blocks away.

1. Exfoliate

If you have not started yet, it’s time to include exfoliation in your skincare regimen. Use a natural or cosmetic scrub, suitable for your skin type to slough off grime and dead skin cell from your skin. Concentrate on the blackhead-infested area while you are at it. Exfoliate at least once a week.

2. Facials

Getting facials regularly can help curb blackheads to an extent. Facials are a refreshing way to rid the skin of impurities, deep-seated debris and restore the glow.

3. Keep your skin clean all the times

Every time you step out of the house, your skin attracts dirt. If not cleaned well, it may lead to blocked pores increasing the chances of blackheads. Makeup can have the same effect on the skin and if not cleaned out completely, might result in blackheads and even breakouts. Always remember to remove makeup and wash your face before calling it a day.

4. Use clean laundry

As you sleep in your bed, oil and dirt from your face gets rubbed on pillowcases and bedsheets. Not washing them regularly can lead to accumulation of grime which can get transferred to your face and clog pores, encouraging blackheads. It’s best to sleep on fresh pillowcases and bedsheets as often as you can.

5. Avoid over cleansing

Frequently washing your face throughout the day can leave your skin very dry. In an effort to keep their skin free of dirt, dust, and germs, a lot of acne-prone people make the mistake of washing their face every few hours. You may think that this type of rigorous cleansing will keep your skin pores from getting clogged. The truth is it can aggravate the condition by stripping away the moisture from your skin. Skin dryness will cause your sebaceous glands to go into overdrive and produce excessive amounts of sebum, which will eventually lead to further clogging of your skin pores. It is recommended to wash your face no more than two or three times a day with a mild antiseptic cleanser. Gently pat your face dry afterward instead of rubbing it. You can even let your face air-dry if you are not in a hurry.

Easy Home Remedies for Blackheads

1. Lemon, Salt and Honey

The astringent quality of lemon will cut grease while the fine granules of salt will act as a non-abrasive scrub for your skin. Honey will leave your skin moisturised and help keep the germs away. Make a paste with these three ingredients and apply on the blackheads. After five minutes, gently scrub in circular motions for a minute and let it stay for another five minutes. Wash away with warm water. Do this thrice a week.

2. Egg White Mask

Known for their skin tightening abilities, egg whites make an effective ingredient for blackhead removal. When applied directly on the skin or as a mask, egg whites shrink the pores, hence forcing blackheads out. Being rich in nutrients, egg whites also improve skin texture and remove extra oil from the skin.

3. Oatmeal and yogurt scrub

1. Take 1 teaspoon each of honey, oatmeal, and tomato juice in a bowl and mix them to make a paste.
2. Apply the paste to your face.
3. Use gentle circular motions of the hand to scrub your skin in an upward direction, with a special focus on the blackhead-prone areas.
4. Rinse off the paste after 10 minutes of scrubbing.

Note: Always do a patch test before full-scale application of this scrub to make sure your skin is not sensitive to any of the ingredients used. 

4. Lemon-sugar scrub

1. Mix a few drops of honey with a few drops of lemon in a bowl.
2. Add granulated sugar to make a scrub.
3. Take some of this mixture on your fingertips and gently rub it on your face, especially on the blackhead-ridden areas.
4. After 10 minutes of scrubbing, wash your face with clean water.
5. Use this gentle scrub once or twice a week.

Note: It is advised to use this scrub at night as lemon can make your skin photosensitive. Also, do a patch test before trying this DIY remedy on your face. 

5. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural exfoliator. Create a paste using baking soda and water and apply on the blackhead effected area. Use your fingers to gently scrub the skin for a few minutes and then wash off with water. This should be done twice a week.

6. Steaming

Steaming is perhaps the most commonly used home treatment for deep cleaning clogged pores.

Your facial skin is more sensitive than that of the rest of the body and needs to be treated accordingly. So, it is essential that you check the temperature of the steam before exposing your face to it.

Steaming renders your skin extremely soft by activating the underlying blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the area. The vapors help dilate your skin pores, making it easier for you to extract the debris trapped inside them. Instead of manually squeezing the blackheads, you should use a small tool called a comedone extractor. This tool is specifically designed for this purpose. Picking at the pores with your sharp nails can damage and even scar your facial skin. This kind of gentle heat therapy can be done twice a week for a deep-level facial cleansing.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Boil a pot of water. Preferably, add a few therapeutic herbs to it such as peppermint, chamomile, rosemary, and lemon.
2. Once the water comes to a boil, turn off the heat and let it cool down for a bit.
3. Make sure that the steam is comfortably warm to avoid any burning accidents.
4. Place your face above the steam. Cover your head with a towel while doing so to keep the steam from escaping.
5. To open the clogged pores, 10-15 minutes of steaming should be enough. Then, use a sterile comedone extractor to squeeze out the skin impurities.
6. Rinse your face with lukewarm water.

7. Tomato

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and A, and have skin brightening, oil absorbing and pore shrinking properties. This is especially good for people with oily skin as tomato pulp effectively clears out the extra grease without being harsh. Cut a few round slices from a tomato. Rub a slice on your skin, focusing on the blackhead infested areas. Alternatively, you can apply tomato pulp on your skin and wash it off with water once it dries.

8. Activated charcoal-gelatin mask

1. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of gelatin powder with 1/2 teaspoon of activated charcoal in a bowl.
2. Put 1 tablespoon of hot distilled water into the mix and stir the ingredients together with a skewer to form a thick paste.
3. Wash your face with warm water and let it air dry. You can also dab your face with a clean towel that has been soaked in warm water. This heat therapy helps open up the pores on your face.
4. Apply a thin layer of the charcoal paste all over your face, except the soft skin around your eyes, your brows, and your lips. You can use an old makeup brush for ease of application, but make sure it is clean.
5. Thicken the mask by applying a double or triple coat of the paste.
6. Wait for the mask to dry completely, which can take a while.
7. Once dried, you can peel off the charcoal mask with a swift upward pull.
8. You can wash the bits that you are unable to get off with warm water later.
9. Applying a light water-based moisturizer to help soothe the skin, especially if you experience a little irritation after the procedure.

It is best to use this facial mask once a week.

9. Egg White DIY

1. Break open a few eggs and separate the yolk from the egg whites.
2. Take a few egg whites in a clean bowl and whisk them together.
3. Use a clean makeup brush to apply the whisked whites all over your face.
4. It is best to leave the skin around your eyes, as it is particularly thin and sensitive.
5. Take a long piece of paper towel and tear it into small strips.
6. Gently press or pat the strips on to your face so that they adhere to the sticky layer of egg whites.
7. Once the entire face is covered with a single layer of paper towel strips, brush another layer of egg white on top of it.
8. Now, sit back and relax as the multilayered mask dries on its own.
9. When the mask feels completely dry, it is time to peel it off.
10. Stripping off the layers of paper towel will pull out the impurities from your pores as well.
11. Once you have removed the dried mask, rinse your face with clean water to wash off any impurities or egg residue on your face.

Egg whites are known to tighten skin pores. This means that this face mask, if used regularly, may not only remove blackheads but may also keep them from forming again. It is safe to apply this mask two times a week.

Few Myths And Facts About Blackheads

If you think that you will stop getting blackheads after a certain age, you are wrong. Although more common among teenagers, blackheads can affect people of all ages.

Those who struggled with this skin issue during their adolescence may continue to face it well into their adulthood.

It is a common misconception that blackheads are caused by the accumulation of dirt in your skin’s pores.

Keeping your skin free of environmental impurities is important for the sake of hygiene and health. However, the lack of cleanliness is not directly responsible for the occurrence of blackheads. The occurrence of blackheads does not reflect poorly on your hygiene or skin care. In fact, people who maintain the highest standard of personal cleanliness can get comedones as well. Blackheads are caused by a buildup of excess sebum and dead skin cells within the pores of your skin.

This buildup eventually turns black when exposed to air. The dark color of the blackheads is due to the oxidization of the impurities trapped inside it, rather than the accumulation of external grime. Thus, anyone can get a blackhead, regardless of how clean they are.

A lot of people avoid using a moisturizer due to the misguided fear that it will clog their pores.

But moisturizing is one of the cardinal steps for proper skin care as it helps to maintain a healthy lipid balance in your skin.