Unlike the rest of your body, the skin on your face gets exposed to dust, pollution, grime and UV rays on a daily basis. When it stays on your skin for too long it enters the pores, gets mixed with the oil on your face and eventually clogs the pore. A clogged pore then turns into a blackhead, whitehead or acne. Blackheads are common and look like tiny bumps on the surface of the skin with a black spot covering its opening. It is common among those who don’t cleanse their skin thoroughly. Learning how to remove blackheads at home is essential if you want clear and glowing skin.
Did you know blackheads are considered a type of acne? They are open comedones and usually appear on areas like the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin. But sometimes, they can also appear on other parts of the body. Getting rid of these pesky little things can be very annoying, because extracting them can result in scarring. It is advised that you do not perform blackhead extractions at home as it can push the bacteria further into the skin and lead to breakouts. Find an expert to do it for you or use specified treatments at home. In this article, we will list out 6 simple remedies for you to learn on how to remove blackheads at home.
- 1. Baking soda and water
- 2. Sugar scrub
- 3. Turmeric paste
- 4. DIY pore strip
- 5. Egg whites and tissue peel-off mask
- 6. Green tea
- How to prevent blackheads
1. Baking soda and water
One of the most popular and effective home remedies for blackheads is using baking soda. A common ingredient in almost every kitchen, it works as an exfoliant to remove dirt, bacteria and other impurities sitting deep inside the pores. It also balances the natural pH of your skin and clears it.
Want to know how to remove blackheads at home using baking soda? Follow the instructions below:
- Mix equal portions of baking soda and water in a bowl to form a paste
- Gently massage the paste on your face, paying special attention on the T-zone where blackheads are more common
- After a minute or two, rinse it off and follow it up with a lightweight moisturiser
- Repeat this not more than 2-3 times a week.
2. Sugar scrub
Exfoliation is an important part of every skincare routine. It removes dead skin cells, deep-set dirt and excess oil from the skin to keep it healthy and free from problems like blackheads and acne. You can either purchase a scrub off the shelf or make one at home using natural ingredients.
If you are interested in the latter, scroll down to learn how to remove blackheads at home using sugar.
- In a small bowl take brown sugar, honey and a few drops of lemon juice
- Mix well and gently scrub the mixture on your face in circular motions
- Leave it on for about five minutes, then wash off and apply a moisturiser to prevent dryness
3. Turmeric paste
Turmeric contains antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Applying it to the skin can prevent a number of skin problems, including blackheads. This natural remedy for blackheads will not only clear out those pesky spots, but will also reduce the occurrence of acne on your skin.
Here’s how to remove blackheads at home using turmeric.
- Turmeric is a potent ingredient that offers many health and skin benefits, take a teaspoon of turmeric and add some water or coconut oil to it
- Mix well to form a paste, apply the paste on your skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes
- Rinse off with lukewarm water
4. DIY pore strip
You know how pores strips are often used on the nose by those who have blackheads? It sure seems like an easy way to extract blackheads. But we are here to do things the natural way, so here’s a DIY pore strip solution for blackheads.
You need milk, as it contains lactic acid and works as a mild exfoliant and honey, for its antibacterial properties.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add one tablespoon each of milk and raw honey
- Mix well and microwave it for about 10 seconds
- Once the mixture is cool enough to touch, apply on your blackheads
- Then place clean cotton strips on it and let it sit for 15 minutes
- Gently remove the cotton strip, rinse and see the difference
5. Egg whites and tissue peel-off mask
Talking of pore strips, here is another peel-off method that works well for removing blackheads naturally. Egg whites have skin tightening properties. Applying it to the skin will remove deep-set dirt from the pores and control excess oil.
To learn how to remove blackheads at home using egg whites read the instructions below.
- Whisk one egg white and apply on clean face using a face mask brush
- Next take a clean tissue paper and place it on your face, making holes at the nose and mouth area
- Apply another layer of egg white on top of the tissue paper and allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes
- Once it has completely dried off, gently peel it off
6. Green tea
Antioxidant-rich green tea is not only good for your body, but also your skin. It can also reduce your skin’s oil production, thereby preventing future blackheads and breakouts. Applying green tea leaves on your skin can reduce existing blackheads by clearing the pores from deep within.
Here’s how to remove blackheads at home using green tea.
- Take a teaspoon of dry green tea leaves and add a teaspoon of water to it
- Mix well and massage the mixture on your face, paying special attention to the areas where you have blackheads
- After a few minutes, wash it off and apply a moisturiser
How to prevent blackheads
Prevention is better than cure, now that we have listed 6 home remedies to get rid of blackheads, let’s also take a look at ways to prevent them. With these tips, you won’t have to worry about those pesky blackheads making repeated appearances and finally get clear skin.
1. Don’t pick or pop blackheads
Blackheads are a type of acne and we all know what happens when we touch, pick or try to pop acne, it leads to several more. The same is the case with blackheads too. Trying to pop it with your nails or tools will only spread the bacteria to nearby pores and lead to more blackheads. Therefore, avoid that, and instead learn how to remove blackheads at home, naturally.
2. Use non-comedogenic moisturisers
No matter what your skin type, a moisturiser is essential. But using a heavy moisturiser can be bad for those with oily and acne-prone skin, as it can clog pores and worsen the acne. Therefore, use non-comedogenic moisturisers on your face. Also, make sure to invest in non-comedogenic makeup products as your skin has the tendency to get clogged easily.
3. Invest in salicylic acid based products
Salicylic acid exfoliates the top layer of the skin and prevents the overproduction of oil. Those with oily and acne-prone skin can benefit greatly from using it. Look for products with salicylic acid as one of the key ingredients to get rid of blackheads safely. It will clear your skin from blackheads as well as prevent them from coming back.
4. Thoroughly cleanse skin everyday
Blackheads are a result of accumulated dirt, oil, bacteria and other impurities like makeup residue. Therefore, it is important to get rid of it all before going to bed at night, this ensures your pores can breathe and skincare products can be absorbed better. Follow a double cleansing method at night by cleaning your face with micellar water first, then using a face wash.
