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!