Whether you have acne prone skin or not, everyone knows how irritating blackheads can be. Blackheads are bumps that appear on your skin due to an inflamed clog in your pore or follicle. They’re caused when your skin produces too much oil, which darkens when it comes in contact with the air. It’s tempting to try to remove them by poking and prodding, but if you want to know the best way to remove blackheads, you’re going to have to listen up!
One
option is to go to the spa and get a facial to remove your blackheads,
but we don’t all have the time and money to do this regularly. A better
option is at home blackhead removal you can do anytime you want!
Removing blackheads is a breeze when you know exactly what to do.
Keep
in mind that all skin types are different and react differently to
various skin remedies. Try just a little bit of each of these remedies
on your skin first to see how your skin reacts. If you have a bad
reaction, don’t use it, but if your skin is fine, you’re all set!
Check out these 8 DIY ideas for easy and affordable blackhead removal!
Baking Soda and Honey
This
duo is one of the best concoctions for getting rid of blackheads.
Baking soda helps clear the skin of impurities, while also exfoliating
your skin and unclogging your pores. Honey offers a soothing skin
treatment that improves your skin’s texture and has been found by many
people to be an effective blackhead remover. When mixed together, they
have an oil-drying and exfoliating effect which is ideal to get rid of
blackheads.
Note: Use a medicinal-grade honey like Manuka honey which has been purified and is free of additives.
Directions:
Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of honey. Gently massage
the mix into your skin in circular motions. Leave it on your face for 10
minutes, then rinse with cold water. Repeat 2 times per week.
Egg Whites
Packed
with vitamins and rich in protein and albumin, egg whites have skin
toning properties that tighten large pores and secrete an excess of
sebum. When your pores are tightened, blackheads are drawn to the skin’s
surface, making them easy to remove.
Directions: Whip an
egg white until it’s frothy. Use a clean makeup brush to paint a layer
of egg white over your troublesome blackhead area(s). Press tissue over
top of the egg white, and add another layer of egg. Let it dry for 30
minutes and then gently peel off the tissue in an upward direction. Wash
your face with warm water, and, ta da!
Oatmeal and Yogurt
Oatmeal
is amazing for blackhead removal. It features saponin which removes
dirt, impurities and dead skin cells from inside the pores, is an
excellent exfoliant, a natural absorbent to soak up excess oil, and it
has anti-inflammatory properties. Mix it with yogurt, which has lactic
acid to help unclog your pores even further, and you’ve hit the jackpot
with natural blackhead removal!
Directions: Mix 2
tablespoons of uncooked oatmeal with 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt.
Apply the mixture over your face, massaging it in circular motions for 5
minutes. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse with cool water.
Repeat 2 to 3 times per week.
Toothpaste
There are quite a few ingredients in toothpaste that can
help reduce natural oils in your skin that can lead to clogged pores and
blackheads. Ingredients like triclosan, alcohol, menthol, hydrogen
peroxide and baking soda can dry out the skin as well as the excess oil
trapped in pores.
Directions: Apply a layer of toothpaste
to the areas where you have blackheads. Wait until it has fully dried,
then gently rub it around your skin to exfoliate and help remove the
blackheads from your pores.
Apple Cider Vinegar
apple
cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which dissolves dead skin cells and
removes other impurities that clog the pores. It also balances the
skin’s pH and controls sebum production, which prevents more blackheads
from making their way to your skin.
Directions: Dip a
clean cotton ball into apple cider vinegar and apply it on affected
areas. Leave it for a few minutes and then rinse with warm water. Repeat
2-3 times per day.
Cinnamon and Honey
We
already know the soothing benefits of honey, but did you know cinnamon
is a great blackhead remover too? It helps kill bacteria that
contributes to inflamed pores, and also has astringent properties to
help shrink pores and make the skin appear more even.
Directions:
Mix 2 teaspoons of honey with 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder to a thick
consistency. Apply to the affected areas and leave on for 20 minutes, or
until it’s fully dried. Wash off with lukewarm water.
Lemon Juice and Salt
As
a natural antibacterial agent, salt helps unclog pores and exfoliates
the skin, and lemon juice contains citric acid which is a natural
astringent that cleanses the pores and tightens the skin to push
blackheads to the surface. Its acidic nature also helps gently exfoliate
and cleanse oily skin and is packed with essential vitamins and
minerals.
Directions: Combine 1 tablespoon of sea salt
with ½ teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of pure water. Apply
all over your face, massaging it into the affected areas for 3 to 5
minutes. Rinse your face with warm water and splash it with cold water
to close the pores.
Green Tea
Green
tea is an amazing remedy for almost all skin problems, including the
removal of blackheads. The vitamins and antioxidants in green tea reduce
excess oil and inflammation in your skin, and reduce sebum production.
It also protects your skin from future damage, and it’s always a good
idea to take precautions for your skin.
Directions: Boil
one cup of water and remove from heat source. Steep two green tea bags
for one hour, until lukewarm, or you can put it in the fridge. Apply
liquid onto blackheads and allow to dry for at least 10 minutes. You can
do this once daily.
If one of your burning questions is “how do
you remove blackheads?” use these 8 at-home remedies to diminish those
pesky bumps and live blackhead-free!