Have you been looking for a home remedy to get rid of those pesky blackheads? Well, you’ve come to the right place! I’m not going to tell you just one way to end your misery, but rather several.
Having breakouts is a nightmare, whether they are acne, blemishes, or blackheads! However, stubborn tiny blackheads are particularly aggravating.
They appear in the form of black bumps on the skin, most commonly on the face, but you can also spot them on the neck, chest, arms, shoulders, and back.
Did you know that blackheads are dried out whiteheads? This article will go over the various methods for getting rid of them at home in great detail! We’ll also talk about how to avoid them entirely.
Want more? We will also share some fantastic DIY packs that you can use to make them vanish!
What Are Blackheads?
Simply put, blackheads are a mild form of acne. They are caused by clogged hair follicles.
What causes pores to become clogged? There are several reasons for this. Bacteria, dead cells, and excess oil are all possibilities. A whitehead is formed when a clog forms in the opening of hair follicles in the skin. Because of the exposure to air, the clog darkens and becomes a blackhead.
That is also why, as the oiliest part of our body, our nose has the highest number of blackheads.
Causes Of Blackheads
It is necessary first to understand what causes blackheads before attempting to remove them at home. Some of the common causes are listed below,
1. Sebum Production
It goes without saying, right? Sebaceous glands are responsible for releasing oil into our skin. Thus the more active your glands are, the more oily your skin, the more chances of blackhead appearing.
2. Hormones
Like other acne symptoms, Blackheads are most common during puberty—when hormone levels cause an increase in sebum production.
Androgen, the male sex hormone, causes increased sebum secretion and skin cell turnover around puberty. During adolescence, both boys and girls have higher levels of androgens.
3. Excessive Sweating
Sweating can contribute to a type of acne breakout known as sweat pimples. The combination of sweat and heat can cause pore-clogging. Furthermore, working on your skin makes things worse because it keeps the acne-causing bacteria in place.
4. Excessive Makeup
Many people frequently ask if they can sleep with makeup on. The answer is a resounding NO! Heavy makeup can clog pores, which we all know is bad news!
So, before going to bed, use an oil-free makeup remover and cleanse your face. It is beneficial!
How To Get Rid Of Blackheads
1. Steam
Extraction of blackheads at home can damage pores and cause breakouts, so be cautious and gentle with your skin. It is essential to loosen the pores before using any of the home remedies.
How will you achieve that? Say hello to STEAM!
Steam will aid in the preparation of your skin for blackhead removal. Whatever home remedy you choose, ALWAYS begin by steaming the skin pores to open them and loosen the gunk within them.
Procedure:
- If you have a facial steamer, put it to good use.
- However, if you don’t have one, don’t worry! Boil water in a vessel and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
- Place your face about seven inches above the steamer/vessel and sit in front of it.
- Drape a towel or sheet over your head and the bowl to ensure the steam is directed on the pores.
- You can let the steam work its magic for about fifteen minutes.
Now that your skin is ready, it’s time to choose a remedy!
If you are tempted to squeeze out these black bumps, I’ve got good news for you. You can remove blackheads naturally at home. That, too, with ingredients that can be found right in your kitchen.
Let us look at some of the best ingredients that can help in eliminating blackheads.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is an excellent treatment for any fungal or bacterial infection. Bacteria is one of the causes of clogged pores! Studies have shown that soaking nails and skin in a baking soda-water solution can improve fungal infections, such as onychomycosis.
Because baking soda has a high pH, it can keep the skin’s pH stable. Baking soda can help in removing excess oil from the skin, thereby preventing acne.
3. Egg White
The effect of hydrolyzed water-soluble egg membrane on the skin was investigated in a 2016 study. It was reported that just topical application resulted in a significant reduction in wrinkle depth.
Using egg white can tighten pores, stimulate sebum production by hair follicles, and get rid of blackheads. Making an egg mask can work wonders on your skin!
4. Papaya
Only one fresh papaya can bid farewell to blackhead. In this acne treatment, dead skin cells and excess lipids from the skin’s surface are removed while keeping soft.
Because it is high in vitamins A, B, and C, papaya is excellent for the skin. Its proteolytic enzymes, including papain and chymopapain, are also antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.
5. Tomato
This red devil is an ultimate one-ingredient remedy that can work wonders on the skin.
Tomatoes have antibacterial properties that can help to dry out blackheads. Furthermore, tomato is an excellent exfoliator and its acidic properties aid in the declogging of pores.
According to a study, the pectin and flavonoids in tomatoes contain cleansing and antioxidant ingredients that can improve skin texture and reduce pores.
6. Green Tea
Catechins are substances found in green tea. It can act as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic.
Research has shown that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol found in green tea, helps to reduce acne and oily skin.
EGCG also reduces lipid levels in the bloodstream, is anti-androgenic, and is anti-inflammatory, making it an effective method for reducing sebum (oil) excretions in the skin.
7. Cinnamon
This remedy can be used to both prevent and remove blackheads. Cinnamon’s antioxidant properties protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which accelerate signs of ageing like wrinkles, acne, blackheads, and loss of skin elasticity.
Cinnamon aids in the tightening of pores and the improvement of blood circulation. Not only that, but cinnamon can help boost collagen production and thus promote the repair of old cells.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Because of the presence of acetic acid and alpha hydroxy acid, apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to exfoliating the skin, apple cider vinegar can absorb excess oils and unclog clogged pores.
It also can restore your skin’s pH levels. The correct pH balance keeps your skin’s outer layer, the acid mantle, pleasant and healthy, which is what gives your skin that bright, glowy appearance.
9. Sugar
Exfoliating the skin with white or brown sugar can be beneficial. Gentle exfoliation aids in the removal of dead skin cells that clog acne pores.
Tools That You Can Use At Home
The ingredients listed above can be very effective for blackhead removal at home, but it does not hurt to use additional tools to help if the situation is dire. Combining them with home remedies will yield excellent results.
Listed below are three EASY fuss-free tools that anyone at home can use!
1. Facial Cleansing Brush
It is an electronic brush with rotating bristles that help get rid of blackheads smoothly. It also helps to exfoliate the skin evenly, so it’s a pretty good tool to keep around.
2. Pore Vacuum Cleaner
Want to take things to the next level? A pore vacuum creates a suction on the skin, which aids in the removal of debris and the clearing of your pores.
It is simple to use and can show results with a single click. There are various probe attachments available depending on the area you want to target.
3. Double-Ended Blackhead Remover
These are a true gem! They are made of stainless steel and have a circular shape on each end.
All you have to do is choose the end that is best suited to the size of the blackhead or blemish. The end of the needle should be placed around the centre of the blackhead or blemish and gently pressed down to remove it.
Masks For Blackheads
Are your blackheads too stubborn? Let me tell you about magic potions that will wipe out those tiny black devils! I’ve included two mask recipes that have worked for me!
Lemon Oatmeal Mask
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons of oatmeal
- Three tablespoons of yoghurt
- Lemon juice
Procedure:
- Mix it well until you get a fine paste.
- Apply this to your nose or the most affected area.
- Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with warm water.
Sugar Oil Scrub
Ingredient:
- One cup of sugar
- Four tablespoons of oil (Coconut/Olive/Jojoba)
Procedure:
- Stir this mixture until it is uniform
- Apply this by gently massaging it on your skin
- Cover it with a moist cotton cloth and leave it for 15 minutes
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Summary
While blackheads are inconvenient, they are not harmful. We are sure with the use of these natural scrubs and masks, you can get rid of those blackheads naturally, without spending too much money!
Aside from that, it is critical to allow your skin to breathe by avoiding oil-based makeup and creams. Make sure you clean your makeup before going to bed.
Let us know in the comments below if any of these home remedies worked for you. If you have any additional queries, we are always reading.
