How To Get Rid of Blackheads Naturally: 16 Remedies (2024)

Blackheads, where do we even start? They can be one of the most frustrating things in the world. They’re hard to remove, they make your skin look and feel dull and rough, and they always seem to come back. If you regularly get blackheads, we are sure you’ve spent hours using all sorts of tools trying to remove blackheads, unsuccessfully. The sad part about that is sometimes these tools can do more harm than good, as they can damage your skin tissue and cause permanent damage. To figure out how to banish blackheads forever, we first need to understand what causes them.

Blackheads are caused when our pores get clogged due to dirt, sweat and oil. When all of these elements get oxidised on our skin, they start looking like blackheads. Since blackheads are stuck between our pores, it makes it very hard to get them out. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could get rid of them from your home, with ingredients you probably already have? If your answer to that question was yes, which it probably was, then this article is for you.

What You Can Do
Home Remedies
Blackhead Prevention
How To Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions:

What You Can Do

Tackling blackheads can be very painful. The first of the firsts for getting rid of blackheads is moisturising the skin with the right cream or moisturiser. Salicylic acid is a great option for dissolving blackheads away and it can be found in over-the-counter products available on the market. Retinoid skin creams are also a useful way to get rid of blackheads. Drinking a lot of water can help in hydrating the skin's surface by keeping the potent oil blocks away.

1. Exfoliate

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.

2. Facials

Getting facials regularly can help curb blackheads to an extent. Facials are a refreshing way to rid the skin of impurities, and deep-seated debris and restore the glow.

3. Invest in the right products

If you have acne or blackhead-prone skin, it’s time you reconsidered your skincare products. Buy non-comedogenic products which are specially formulated to not clog the pores.

4. 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 the chances of blackheads. 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.

5. 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 the accumulation of grime which can get transferred to your face and clog pores, encouraging blackheads. It’s best to sleep on fresh pillowcases and bedsheets as often as you can.

Home Remedies

Blackheads can be minimised and even eliminated with the use of the right ingredients. Here are some natural ways and home remedies for getting rid of those pesky blackheads.

6. Baking soda

Baking soda is a natural exfoliator. Create a paste using baking soda and water and apply it to 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.

7. 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.

8. Steaming

Subjecting your face to steam is an effective way to soften the stubborn blackheads and then eventually clear 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.

9. 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 it to 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.

10. Scrubs

As mentioned, exfoliating is one of the most effective ways to remove blackheads. Let’s look at some of the best scrubs you can make at home to say bye-bye to blackheads.

Cinnamon and Lemon Juice Scrub

Cinnamon powder aids in the tightening of pores and the improvement of blood circulation. Lemon is a tried-and-true item that may aid you in a variety of ways! Lemon's antibacterial capabilities prevent blackheads, whiteheads, and acne in this situation, keeping the face clean. To make this scrub, combine two teaspoons of cinnamon powder and an equal amount of lemon juice. Leave this DIY blackhead scrub on your face for 20 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

Oatmeal and Yogurt Scrub

Oatmeal and yoghurt are both high in nutrients, and when mixed, they make a healthy DIY blackhead scrub. Oatmeal has the amazing virtue of absorbing excess oil from the skin, which aids in the prevention of blackheads. With the aid of probiotic enzymes, yoghurt nourishes and moisturises the skin. To make this scrub, take a spoonful of oats and mix it thoroughly with some yoghurt. Massage it into your face and then rinse it off with cold water.

11. 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.

12. 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 to your skin and wash it off with water once it dries.

13. Salicylic Acid

The topical salicylic acid application can help treat acne. It penetrates the skin and dissolves the dead skin cells clogging your pores. It also reduces redness and allows pimples to shrink. Most skin types can benefit from 2% salicylic acid serums or skincare products. If you have dry or sensitive skin, start with a lower percentage and apply only a couple of times a week instead of daily.

14. Retinoids

These are available as OTC products or by prescription. They promote skin turnover and prevent blockage of pores by decreasing oiliness.

15. Charcoal Mask

Activated charcoal masks can keep your skin clear by pulling out dirt and grime from skin pores, thus preventing blackheads. Charcoal also has antibacterial properties.

16. Skin brush

Using a mechanical skin brush to wash your face is a good idea as it will effectively exfoliate your face in a gentle way. Deep pore-cleansing action not only prevents blackheads but also allows the active ingredients in your other skincare products to penetrate deeper.

Blackhead Prevention

These lifestyle changes will help prevent blackheads:

• Wash your face with a gentle cleanser when you wake up and before going to bed; also wash after you've been sweating profusely.
• Use non-abrasive cleansers on your skin gently; use fingertips to scrub and avoid washcloths or sponges that can irritate the skin.
• Switch to alcohol-free skincare products as these do not over-dry the skin.
• Avoid stepping out in the sun since certain acne medicines can make your skin sensitive to UV rays.
• Shampoo oily hair regularly so that it doesn't clog your skin.
• Avoid touching your face all the time.
• Change pillowcases at least once a week, or more if you have oily skin.

How To Avoid

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. 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. 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 not only preventing the formation of blackheads but also 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.
7. Oil-based and alcohol-based cleaners can damage your skin by making it too dry. This triggers the skin to produce more oil or sebum to compensate. Ultimately, this leads to oily skin and clogged pores.
8. Those with oily skin should avoid harsh cleansers and oil-based moisturisers.
9. Those with dry skin should prefer nourishing cleansers and moisturisers, avoiding products that strip the skin of natural oils.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. How can I remove blackheads from my nose at home?

A. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda, half a tablespoon of lemon juice, and lukewarm water. The paste acts as a natural exfoliant and protects the skin from infection. This home cure might help you get rid of stubborn, hard blackheads.

Q. How can I remove blackheads at home fast?

1. Bring water to a boil and pour it into a bowl.
2. Wash your hands and use a circular motion to massage organic, cold-pressed coconut oil into your skin.
3. Steam your pores for 5 minutes by placing your face over hot water and covering your head with a towel to retain the steam (be careful not to burn yourself).

Q. Can toothpaste remove blackheads?

A. Toothpaste is a well-known cosmetic trick for removing blackheads. While toothpaste has certain compounds that help treat blackheads, it may also include substances that irritate the skin. Using toothpaste to remove blackheads is considered an off-label therapy, and specialists do not endorse it.

Q. How do you dissolve blackheads?

A. Salicylic acid dries up dead skin cells that build up in your pores, reducing the likelihood of blackheads. To reap these advantages, use a salicylic acid-containing face cleanser, toner, or moisturiser. Think about glycolic acid. Regular usage can assist your skin in shedding dead skin cells, hence preventing blocked pores.

Q. Is it okay to squeeze out blackheads?

A. Yes, as long as you do it carefully and gently. Avoid using sharp and dirty tools and never use your fingernails for the same.

Q. What happens if you don't remove blackheads?

A. In most cases, blackheads clear out on their own with time, especially if they are close to the skin's surface. Be careful of blackheads that are deeper, as they may get infected. Seek professional help whenever needed instead of attempting to do it yourself.

You can also read on Top 11 Simple and Effective Natural Remedies for Blackheads Removal