Blackheads
Blackheads are very stubborn and annoying. Due to its black color we often believe that they are caused due to dirt build up in skin pores but that isn’t true.
What Causes Blackheads?
They are caused when skin pores get clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells. When these clogged pores are exposed to the oxygen present in the air they turn into black.
Why does our skin produce more oil?
It can be due to hormonal changes during adolescence, pregnancy and menstruation. Apart from that, external factors like cosmetics, clothing that suffocate skin pores and heavy sweating can also be the triggers.
How To Get Rid Of Blackheads?
Though blackheads don’t go away easily, with the help of few home remedies and proper skin care routine, we can control the oil production and eventually the formation of blackheads.
Home Remedies for Blackheads
There are several methods of treating blackheads using simple ingredients present in our home. We have listed them below for your convenience. Choose one among them and try it regularly until you find relief from blackheads.
1. DIY Peel off Mask with Activated Charcoal
This is one of the best remedies to remove blackheads, tighten the pores and makes your skin smooth and clean. All you need for this process is activated charcoal and PVA non-toxic glue.
- Remove the ingredients of 3 activated charcoal capsules into a bowl. Or you can add activated charcoal powder.
- Add enough amounts of glue and mix well.
- Dip a wash cloth in warm water, wring out the excess and dab it on your face or blackhead affected areas.
- Apply the paste on the face or blackhead affected areas.
- Let it dry completely.
- Peel off the mask slowly.
- Repeat the process regularly.
Note: Make sure to avoid applying the paste on the areas with hair like eyebrows and peachy fuzz near the ears as it hurts while removing the pack.
2. Get Rid of Blackheads in 7 Days
You have to follow the 3 steps mentioned below for 7 days to remove the stubborn blackheads and whiteheads.
Step 1: Take a small bowl of warm water and wash towel. Dip the towel into the warm water and wring out the excess. Dab the towel on your face or affected areas. This step helps to open up the pores which make it easy to remove the blackheads while scrubbing.
Step 2: Combine 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon rice flour, 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon of honey. Mix well to make a thick paste. Apply enough amounts of the mixture on the affected areas and gently scrub for few minutes. Rinse off with cold water. This process helps to remove the blackheads.
Step 3: Combine 4 teaspoons of cold water and 2 – 3 drops of tea tree essential oil. Using a cotton ball, apply the solution on the affected areas. Leave it to dry completely and rinse off with water.
Note:
- You can refrigerate the paste and solution for 7 days.
- Always dilute the tea tree oil before application. Direct application of it can harm your skin.
- After following the process for 7 days, you can repeat it twice in a week to prevent blackheads.
3. Remove Blackheads Using a Toothpaste and Toothbrush
This process helps to remove the blackheads, tighten the pores and scrub off the dead skin cells.
- Take a warm wash cloth and press on the areas where you have blackheads.
- To a bowl, add 1 teaspoon of water, 1 tablespoon each of baking soda and toothpaste.
- Apply the mixture on the affected areas.
- Take a damp toothbrush and gently massage it in circular motions.
- After few minutes, wipe of the application with warm damp cloth.
- Using a tissue or towel, squeeze out the blackheads carefully.
- Wipe the area with cloth dipped in cold water.
- Repeat the process regularly.
4. Get Rid of Blackheads with Gelatin
It is one of the best ways to remove blackheads and dirt from the pores instantly.
- Combine 1 tablespoon each of gelatin (flavorless) powder and milk.
- Microwave the mixture for 10 seconds and let it cool down.
- When it is warm enough to touch, apply it on the nose or other blackheads affected area.
- Let the application completely dry.
- Peel the application slowly and wipe off the leftover gelatin.
- Repeat the process regularly.
5. DIY Peel off Mask with Egg White
This process works just like the commercial pore strips. All you need for this process is an egg white and a tissue paper. Let’s have a look at the process.
- Separate the egg white from an egg.
- Using an old foundation brush, apply the egg white on affected areas like nose, forehead or others.
- Take a tissue paper and cut it into the size of the application area.
- Place it on the egg white application. Let it dry completely.
- Remove the tissue like any peel off mask. First slowly loosen the edges and remove the complete application slowly.
- Repeat the process regularly.
Note: You may experience slight pain while peeling off the mask.
6. 6 Day Routine to Remove Black Heads
You have to follow this process for 6 days to remove the blackheads completely.
- Take some honey in a bowl and sprinkle some cinnamon, squeeze some lemon juice.
- Mix the ingredients well.
- Clean the area where you want to remove the blackheads.
- Using a makeup sponge, apply the mixture on the affected areas.
- Leave it overnight or for at least 20 minutes.
- Now slightly wet the application, wipe the application for a minute using a paper towel.
- Rinse off with warm water followed by cold water.
Note:
Cinnamon can cause slight burning sensation. If the burning sensation is more, rinse off the application immediately.
7. Remove Blackheads Instantly
We will use baking soda and lemon juice for this process. Baking soda exfoliates the skin and loosens the blackheads thus it will be easy to remove them. The astringent properties of lemon clean the open pores and prevent any skin infections after removing the blackheads.
- Combine 1 teaspoon each of baking soda and lemon juice.
- Mix well and apply the paste the on the blackheads affected area.
- Leave it to dry for about 15 minutes.
- Wet your hands and slowly scrub the application.
- Rinse off with warm water followed by cold water.
- Repeat regularly.
Tips and Precautions:
- AHA’s Treatment: Applying a small amount of cream containing AHA’s (alpha hydroxyl acids) will remove the dead skin, dirt and exposes the blackheads which makes it easy to remove them. The products containing AHAs can cause dryness, irritation and chapping of the skin. If you experience any of them, discontinue its usage. They also have the expand affect-ability to the sun so it is better to avoid this treatment if you are going out in the bright day sunlight.
- Squeezing: This works only if the blackheads are not hard or embedded and if your skin isn’t sensitive or wounded by stretching. Take a facial steam or warm up the skin using a hot compress. This helps to stretch the pores and squeeze out the blackheads. Grab the squeeze of the skin near one or couple of dispersed blackheads. Now squeeze by applying the pressure from the underneath of blackhead. Avoid this process if your skin is sensitive.
- Exfoliation: When the dead skin is not removed, the pores will get clogged which make lead to acne and blackheads. Therefore it is important to scrub or exfoliate at least 1 or 2 times in a week. Though it looks simple, it should be one of the essential tasks in your daily routine to maintain your skin healthy.
- Never pick or pop up the blackheads with your fingers or any tools as it can worsen them by adding dirt and bacteria into the pores.
- Use only mild cleansers to wash your face 2 times in a day. Follow it by scrubbing to deep cleanse the pores and remove blackheads.
- Wash your face regularly using a mild face wash and moisturize it twice in a day.
- It is very important to wash your pillow cases to remove the dead skin cells and excess oil.
- Take a facial steam once in every 2 weeks to open the pores and remove the dirt.
- Splash some cold water after each treatment to close the open pores.
- A mixture of 1 tablespoon black pepper and 2 tablespoons of yogurt can be applied on the affected areas. After 10 minutes, rinse off with water. This can be used to prevent and remove blackheads. Similarly, a paste made by grinding radish seeds with enough water can also be used.
- Keep your nails and fingers clean so that they don’t transfer dirt or bacteria when you touch your face.
- People with oily skin are more prone to blackheads so take enough measures to control the oil production.
- Exercising also helps in preventing blackheads. Hair follicles are not like sweat glands which can secrete sweat and flush out toxins. So the sweat generated while exercising pulls out the impurities and dead skin cells from the pores. If washed with water immediately after a workout, they will be washed out from the skin.
- It is better to use mild cleansers as harsh ones can make your skin overreact and produce more sebum. Less sebum production means a lesser chance of forming blackheads.
- Stop overdoing makeup. Chemicals present in cosmetics clog the pores and lead to blackheads. Make sure to buy high-quality cosmetics only to avoid unnecessary skin reactions.
- Detoxifying your body from inside helps your skin breathe freely. If not, it can lead to clogged pores. One of the best detoxification methods is to drink plenty of water daily. You can also have green tea for the same. But restrict its consumption to a maximum of 3 – 4 cups per day.
A proper skin care routine is the best way to prevent the recurrence of blackheads. Take care of your skin needs carefully to avoid blackheads and other skin ailments.
