Blackheads are the worst, they not only look really bad up close but they also make your skin look darker and feel extra oily.
Instead of the long painful process of removing blackheads at the salon or those nose patches that don’t really do anything, here are 3 ways you can get rid of the little black devils at home.
By Mariam Elhamy
1. Exfoliate
Using scrubs, charcoal and mud masks helps rid skin of excess oil and may help loosen or even remove dirt from clogged pores.
Here’s a quick recipe for blackheads removal: Use baking soda and water or lemon juice to create a paste and gently scrub on the blackhead affected area using your fingers then wash off. Apply twice a week.
2. Apply Salicylic Acid Gel
Salicylic acid dissolves the keratin that clogs pores, it’s also an effective exfoliant. You can find salicylic acid gel at your local pharmacy or beauty store.
3. A Quick Mask
Combine honey and cinnamon until it forms a paste. Apply a thin layer over the blackheads and place a strip of cotton over it. Remove and rinse after 5 minutes.
Pro Tip: Using steam on your face before any masks or scrubs helps open up the pores so that they can get cleaned out easier and on a deeper level.
Although scrubs and masks may help remove junk from your pores, they can also remove oils that actually help your skin which causes it to dry out and become irritated. Just be careful not to over-cleanse, which may strip skin and make it produce more oil to compensate, resulting in more blackheads.
Prevention
- Wash your face twice a day and right after exercising with a face cleansing wipe if you don’t have easy access to a sink.
- Wash your pillowcases regularly. They tend to hold oils from your hair and skin.
- Stick with one or two skin products and remember to use moisturizer because skin that’s too dry will produce excess oil, which may increase blackheads.
- Use oil-free sunscreen.
Note: It’s always a good idea to do a skin patch test on your arm for any product you’re going to apply to your face if you’re prone to allergic reactions.
