Every day, our skin accumulates all kinds of grime, such as dirt, sebum, oil, and dead cells. Clogged pores and hair follicles can lead to skin concerns such as blackheads, whiteheads, acne, etc. The blackheads look like tiny, raised bumps on the skin. They are mostly black in color. They are caused by oil and sebum blocking pores on your skin. When the skin is not cleaned properly, the oil settles in the pores over time. When exposed to air, it oxidizes and turns black, forming blackheads. Many people suffer from this problem. Most people get them at some point in their lives and they are common and very annoying. Blackheads are most common on the face. They can be considered a mild form of acne. In medical terms, blackheads are open comedones. Blackheads are commonly found on the nose, corner of the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin. However, they can appear anywhere on the body. Our guide explains how to remove blackheads in detail naturally.
Here are some things you can do to get rid of blackheads
Blackheads can be very painful to remove. Moisturise your skin with the right cream or moisturiser to get rid of blackheads. In over-the-counter products available in the market, salicylic acid can be used to dissolve blackheads. Blackheads can also be removed with retinoid skin creams. Hydrating the skin surface with a lot of water can keep the potent oil blocks away.
Exfoliat
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.
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.
Invest in the right products
If you have acne or blackhead-prone skin, you should reconsider your skincare products. Buy non-comedogenic products which are specially formulated not to clog the pores.
Keep skin clean at all times
Every time you step out of the house, your skin attracts dirt. If not cleaned well, it may lead to blocked pores, increasing blackheads’ chances. 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.
Use clean laundry
As you sleep in your bed, oil and dirt from your face get 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 bed sheets as often as you can.
Home remedies for blackheads
Blackheads can be minimised and even eliminated with the use of right ingredients. Here are some natural ways and home remedies for getting rid of those pesky blackheads.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a natural exfoliator. Create a paste using baking soda and water and apply on the blackhead affected 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.
Clay
The oil-absorbing properties of clay make it ideal for clearing extra grease from the skin along with other impurities. Masks made from fuller’s earth and kaolin clay, when used regularly on the face can help clear out the pores. This will eventually get rid of blackheads and make the skin smooth.
Steaming
Subjecting your face to steam is an effective way to soften the stubborn blackheads and then eventually clearing them away. Steaming the face makes the skin sweat, which in turn helps to clear out toxins from within. It also softens the pores, making the stubborn blackheads easier to work upon and remove.
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.
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.
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.
How to avoid blackheads
While trying to get rid of blackheads, there are certain things you should take care to not do as this may worsen the situation.
1. Picking or trying to pop blackheads is a complete no-no since it will do nothing to uproot the blackhead from deep within, and picking may lead to the spread of bacteria and even scar your skin.
2. At any cost, never try to remove blackheads using tweezers or pointed tools. Even the blackhead removal tools must be left to be used by professionals, and you might end up injuring yourself while trying to poke at a blackhead.
3. Exfoliation is recommended to get rid of blackheads but using harsh or abrasive ingredients on the skin can cause damage instead of clearing out the blackheads. Also, it can dry out your skin and irritate it further. The best way is to opt for gentle scrubs. If possible go for natural exfoliators like oatmeal, sugar, salt, coffee etc.
4. Keeping your skin clean goes a long way in preventing the formation of blackheads and acne and pimples. Wash your face daily with a gentle face wash, at the beginning and at the end of the day. Apart from that, keeping it free from grease is important so that oil doesn’t accumulate in the pores. This can be done by using a facial scrub once or twice a week, depending on your skin type.
5. Replenish your skin’s moisture after each wash by applying a suitable moisturiser. Use non-comedogenic moisturisers so that will not block the pores.
6. Using skin creams or gels with salicylic acid can help prevent blackheads too. Salicylic acid is a kind of chemical that is often used in pimple and acne eliminating creams. It also finds use in medication to help remove the outer layer of the skin and is often used to treat warts, psoriasis, dandruff, acne, ringworm, and ichthyosis. Using salicylic-based creams can keep your skin fresh and grime-free by exfoliating the top layer, thus avoiding blackheads.