Blackheads, also called open comedones, can appear anywhere on the body and are quite difficult to combat. If you are looking for a method to eliminate them, try some of the following treatments: they are effective for cleaning the skin and blocking the formation of these blemishes. By making a few simple changes to the treatments reserved for the face, you can have a clear skin, as you have always dreamed of (and then you deserve it!).
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Avoid Worsening Skin Condition
Step 1. Touch or squeeze blackheads only after washing your hands thoroughly
Blackheads can be squeezed without scarring, as long as you proceed with caution and cleanliness. When done right, it's a quick and effective way to cleanse your pores.
Crush a Black Point Safely
Take a shower first.
A warm shower opens the pores and facilitates the procedure. You can also do a steam treatment for 10-15 minutes to get the same effect.
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Use soap and water and wash your hands for 20 seconds. Squeezing a blackhead with dirty fingers will only introduce more bacteria into your pores.
Dab an astringent product on the skin.
You can buy a bottle of astringent product at a drugstore or cosmetic store. Apply a small amount to the blackhead area to moisten it.
Squeeze the blackhead with a cotton swab to squeeze it.
Gently press on both sides of the blackhead to pull the dirt out of your pore.
Rinse your skin with water and an astringent product.
Rinse your face with cold water, then pat your skin again with a small amount of astringent. finally wash your hands.
Step 2. Don't use the blackhead remover unless you have a clue how to use it
Nowadays, you can find them almost everywhere and they promise you to get the same results as a treatment from the beautician. So far, so good. The problem is that they can become filled with bacteria and cause scarring on the skin if they are not used well. If you're inexperienced, it's best to let a professional do it while you can use cleansers and exfoliators.
Step 3. Avoid ultra-abrasive exfoliants
If you have sensitive skin, using harsh scrubs can only irritate it and make blackheads worse. Is a product giving you problems? Stop using it and switch to a milder cleanser. Try using oatmeal, one of the gentlest exfoliants there is - it's ideal if other products irritate your skin.
Step 4. Wash your face twice a day
A good facial cleansing routine is essential to prevent blackheads from forming.
Effective Face Wash Routine
Remove make-up before washing your face.
If not removed, make-up will quickly clog your pores, so it's important to remove it every night with a cleanser or make-up remover wipes.
Wash your face in the morning and in the evening.
Washing your face in the morning will make you feel fresher for the day, while washing in the evening removes the dirt accumulated during the day.
Use a mild anti-acne cleanser.
Choose a cleansing product that is right for your skin type, aiming for one that removes oils and clears pores.
Follow with a gentle face moisturizer.
A good moisturizer prevents the skin from producing too much sebum, which is the main cause of blackheads.
Step 5. Wash the pillow cases
The tissue absorbs dead skin cells and excess oil from the face while you sleep. Wash them all at least once a week to remove dirt build-up from the fibers and prevent blackheads.
Step 6. Avoid touching your face
While not manually eliminating blackheads, touching the face transfers bacteria from the fingers to the epidermis. The hands are the dirtiest part of the body and often cause many types of blemishes. Do not rest your face on your palms and control yourself so as not to bring them unnecessarily close to the skin.
Part 2 of 4: Masks to Eliminate Blackheads
Step 1. Use honey and cinnamon
Honey is a very effective natural antibiotic for pulling dirt out of enlarged pores. Mix a tablespoon of honey with half a teaspoon of cinnamon. Dab it on dry skin with your fingers. Massage for three minutes in a circular motion and then rinse with warm water.
Step 2. Try an egg white mask
This part of the egg helps to narrow the pores and allows you to remove the dirt that clogs them, for a smooth and clear skin.
Create a simple egg whites mask
Remove the egg whites from 2 eggs.
Break the eggs and pour the egg whites into a bowl.
Distribute the egg whites on the face creating 2 layers.
Use your fingers to apply a thin layer of egg white all over your face. Let it dry for 2 minutes, then apply the rest to create a second layer. Let the mask sit until you feel the skin tighten and the egg whites are smooth to the touch.
Rinse your face with warm water to remove the mask.
Step 3. Make a clay mask
There are several types of cosmetic clay that are commercially available and sold in powder form. Each of them has particular properties, but in general they are all effective for fighting enlarged pores and removing unwanted residues. Mix a tablespoon of powdered clay with just the right amount of apple cider vinegar to make a thick solution, which you will apply to your face. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes; when it is dry to the touch, rinse it with warm water.
Step 4. Make an oatmeal and yogurt mask
The lactic acid contained in yogurt and the calming properties of oats create an ideal mix to curb the appearance of blackheads. Use this simple mask once a week to keep your skin fresh and clean.
Mask based on Yogurt and Oats
Mix it together:
3 tablespoons of plain yogurt
2 tablespoons of whole oats
3-4 drops of lemon juice
3-4 drops of olive oil
Dab the mixture on your face.
Mix the paste thoroughly and make sure you cover any areas that are prone to blackheads or that tend to get oily.
Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Step 5. Use a fenugreek solution
You may have never heard of it before, but you can make a mask with this herb and water. In addition to the many benefits it offers to the body, fenugreek has shown promising results in removing blackheads. Spread the mix on your face and leave it on for ten minutes, then rinse.
Step 6. Try curcumin and mint juice
You probably have both of these spices in the kitchen, and they are useful for clearing clogged pores. Make a mint tea and let it cool. Afterward, mix two tablespoons of the liquid with a tablespoon of curcumin and apply the mask to your face. Leave it on for ten minutes and rinse with warm water.
Step 7. Make an Epsom salt cleansing mask
Combined with iodine tincture, they form a perfect solution to fight bacteria and remove blackheads. Mix a tablespoon of Epsom salts with warm water and a few drops of iodine. Wait for the salt to completely dissolve in the water, but flip the mix from time to time. Next, take a cotton ball to dab it on the skin. Let it dry and gently rinse with warm water.
Part 3 of 4: Exfoliate to Cleanse the Pores
Step 1. Try a lemon and salt scrub
The purifying properties of lemon, combined with the exfoliating effects of salt, help remove all the dirt that has taken root deep in the pores. Mix the lemon juice with a spoonful of yogurt, a spoonful of salt and a little honey. Massage this scrub for two to three minutes on the areas prone to the appearance of blackheads, then rinse with warm water.
Step 2. Make a green tea scrub
It is an excellent brew to drink, but also effective for purifying the skin. You will get a nutrient-rich exfoliant, which removes dirt and, at the same time, has antioxidant properties. Mix finely chopped green tea leaves with a few drops of water and massage it into your face. If you want, you can leave it on for two to three minutes after exfoliation, then rinse off with warm water.
Step 3. Use baking soda to exfoliate
This product has numerous properties and functions. In addition to being a natural cleanser, its fine grain allows you to deeply cleanse the skin, eliminating dead cells.
Prepare an Exfoliating Mask with Bicarbonate
Make a paste with baking soda and water.
Pour a little baking soda into a few inches of water and mix until you get a thick, jelly-like mixture.
Use the product obtained to exfoliate your face.
Use your hands to gently massage the mixture into your skin in circular motions.
Apply an extra amount to the areas where blackheads tend to form.
Dab a thicker layer on the parts of your face where particularly stubborn blackheads form. Let it dry for 5-10 minutes.
Rinse your face with warm water to remove it.
Step 4. Make a cornmeal mask and facial cleanser
This solution has powerful exfoliating properties. Mix a teaspoon of cornmeal with your favorite cleanser. Gently massage it into the skin in a circular motion. But be careful not to rub, otherwise you risk damaging the epidermis. Rinse with warm water.
Step 5. Make a milk and nutmeg mask
If you like scented scrubs, this solution is for you. Lactic acid, combined with the large grains of nutmeg, eliminates blackheads quickly and painlessly. Mix a tablespoon of milk (preferably whey) with enough nutmeg to make a thick solution. Apply it on the face, massaging it gently: it will eliminate dead cells and dirt residues. Rinse with warm water to cleanse the skin.
Step 6. Try a commercially available exfoliant
If you don't plan on making it at home, look for a scrub at a perfumery or supermarket. Use it regularly to help cleanse pores and remove obnoxious blackheads.
How Often Should You Exfoliate?
Oily or combination skin:
3-5 times a week
Dry or sensitive skin:
once a week
Normal skin:
daily basis
Advise:
Regardless of your skin type, always exfoliate gently. Pay attention to how your skin reacts and reduce applications if necessary.
Part 4 of 4: Professional or Chemical Treatments
Step 1. Use the blackhead patches
You will have seen them in the supermarket: they are strips of cotton with an adhesive back. Follow the instructions on the package. Generally, you need to moisten your face and apply the patches to areas prone to the appearance of blackheads. Wait for them to dry for fifteen minutes, then tear dry to get rid of any blemishes. This solution offers immediate effects, but must be accompanied with one of the beauty routines illustrated in the previous sections in order to achieve lasting results.
Step 2. Try a facial peel
There are gels containing salicylic acid that dissolve dead skin and dirt trapped in pores. Buy a peel based on this substance at the pharmacy, otherwise contact a cosmetologist for professional treatment. Use it by applying a thin layer on the affected area, leave it on for as long as necessary and then rinse with warm water.
Step 3. Try microdermabrasion
It is a rather particular aesthetic procedure, which involves the use of a special brush and a chemical detergent to eliminate dead cells. It is often possible to make it in a beauty center or at the dermatologist, but some shops also offer the home version. Perform this treatment regularly for best results.
Step 4. Use retinol products
They are rich in vitamin A, which is good for the skin, promotes its regeneration and prevents the accumulation of sebum. You can find cleansers and creams with this active ingredient in pharmacies. Use them two to three times a week in addition to your classic beauty treatments to prevent pores from becoming clogged.
Step 5. Get a mask from the beautician
You can certainly make several at home and use the blackhead remover, but professional treatments are more effective and offer immediate results. Plus, you don't risk making a mess. Ask the dermatologist or cosmetologist what he proposes and decide together the perfect treatments for your skin type. Achieving them every two to four weeks allows you to have long-term clear skin.
Advice
- No method of cleansing or exfoliation offers immediate results for eliminating blackheads: in fact, you will see them in the long term. Continue to treat your skin daily using the method that's ideal for you. Do this consistently for several months in order to completely remove dead skin cells from the pores.
- If after several months the blackheads do not disappear, a visit to the dermatologist is a must.
- The dermatologist can prescribe oral medications and topically applied products to remove particularly stubborn blackheads.
- Always pull your hair away from your face and make sure you wash it constantly.
