9 DIY Face Masks to Remove Blackheads and Tighten Pores

We all dream of having smooth, flawless skin, free of any blemishes; however, sadly, life has other plans in store for us.

A very common and persistent problem for those with oily skin is the periodic occurrence of acne breakouts and the persistent appearance of blackheads on their skin.

Blackheads are formed when excess production of sebum causes a blockage in the hair follicles on the face and other areas. The clogged pores become enlarged because of accumulation of sebum and dead skin cells; as a result, the air can enter and oxidize the material that leads to the black or yellowish appearance of the outer surface.

If left unchecked, these blackheads can grow larger and cause your skin pores to become deeper and hollow, leading to the formation of permanent open pores on your face.

Apart from occurring on your nose, forehead, and chin, blackheads can also appear on your back, chest, arms, and shoulders.

Blackheads are usually caused by oily skin, using rich and heavy cosmetics, UV exposure can increase oil production, and if not cleaning properly, you can have blackheads and clogged pores.

We have come up with 9 DIY face masks to remove blackheads and tighten skin pores. Though these are face masks, they can also be applied to get rid of blackheads on other areas of your body.

Method 1: Activated Charcoal Face or Peel-off Mask

Activated charcoal has strong absorbent properties that make it an excellent remedy to get rid of oily skin and blackheads.

Adding natural clay leads to the better absorption of sebum from your skin while using raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, which helps control its oiliness.

# Activated Charcoal Peel-Off Mask

This activated charcoal can be used to make a  DIY peel-off face mask to remove blackheads from dense areas, and it also contains unflavored gelatin.

Things you’ll need:

• Activated Charcoal (absorbs excess oil and impurities) – 1 teaspoon
• Unflavored Gelatin – 1 teaspoon
• Distilled Water – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Take activated charcoal powder and gelatin in a double boiler

• Set up a double boiler; keep it on low heat.
• Add 1 teaspoon of activated charcoal powder.
• Follow it up with 1 teaspoon of unflavored gelatin crystals.

Step 2. Add distilled water and blend

• Add 1 tablespoon of distilled water as well.
• As the ingredients slowly melt, blend them using a wooden spatula.

Step 3. Apply and peel off to remove blackheads

• Once it has reached the desired consistency, i.e., the gelatin has melted completely, and the resultant mixture is a thick black liquid, turn off the heat.
• Remove the glass bowl from the double boiler.
• Let the charcoal mixture cool down a little.
• Apply it on the areas that are most prone to blackheads, i.e., the nose and chin areas.
• Keep it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then slowly peel off the solidified mask; notice how it draws out your blackheads.
• Wash and pat dry your face; apply a light, oil-free moisturizer.

Do this once a week to keep your blackheads under control.

# Activated Charcoal Face Mask

Things you’ll need:

• Activated charcoal (absorbs excess oil and impurities) – ½ teaspoon
• Clay (absorbs oil) – 1 tablespoon
• Apple Cider Vinegar (acts as an astringent) – 1 teaspoon
• Water

Step 1. Combine activated charcoal and clay powder in a bowl

• Take ½ teaspoon of activated charcoal powder in a bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of clay powder.

Step 2. Add apple cider vinegar and water

• Add 1 teaspoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar.
• Add enough water to make a smooth paste.

Step 3. Mix well and apply on face

• Use a spatula to mix all ingredients thoroughly.
• Use a cosmetic brush to apply it on your face, covering all the oily patches, especially around the nose and cheeks.
• Let it sit and slowly absorb oil and blackheads from your skin for 7 to 10 minutes.
• Afterward, wash it off and gently pat dry your skin; use a light oil-free moisturizer.

Apply this DIY face mask 1 to 2 times a week.

Method 2: Milk-Gelatin Peel-off Mask

This face mask combines gelatin with the skin-nourishing properties of milk and honey to give you smooth and well-moisturized skin while also softening and helps in eliminating any blackheads.

Things you’ll need:

• Milk (nourishes skin and contains lactic acid) – 1 tablespoon
• Gelatin – 1 teaspoon
• Raw honey (acts as humectant) – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Combine gelatin, milk, and honey in a double boiler

• Set up a double boiler and keep the heat low.
• Pour 1 teaspoon of gelatin crystals into the glass bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of milk, followed by 1 tablespoon of raw honey.
• Keep stirring the ingredients as the gelatin slowly melts and blends with the milk and honey.
• Turn off the heat when you have a uniform mixture of thick consistency.

Step 2. Apply on skin and use a peel-off mask to get rid of blackheads

• Remove the glass bowl from the double boiler and let the mixture cool down.
• Use a cosmetic brush to apply it on your skin.
• Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then peel it off slowly.
• Wash and gently dry your face using a soft linen towel.
• Apply a light oil-free moisturizer to rehydrate your skin.

Use this DIY peel-off face mask to help soften and remove blackheads twice a week and prevent large pores on your face.

Method 3: Egg White Peel-off Mask

Using the egg white-based peel-off mask will allow you to extract and prevent blackheads, simultaneously nourishing and enriching your skin.

Things you’ll need:

• Egg – 1
• Paper towel

Step 1. Crack an egg and collect the egg white

• Crack-open an egg and pour it in a glass bowl.
• Separate and collect the egg white in the bowl below and place the yolk in another bowl for future use.

Step 2. Apply a thin layer of egg white over your skin

• Whisk the egg white and use a cosmetic brush to apply a thin layer on your face.
• Apply a thin paper towel over the applied layer and press it gently on your face.
• Apply another layer of the whisked egg white over it.
• Let it dry; if you want, you can also apply a third and final layer of egg whites after 5 minutes.
• As the egg whites dry, you will feel the mask pulling tighter on your face.
• Let the mask dry completely and then slowly peel it off the paper towel.
• Gently wash your face to remove any residue; use a soft towel to lightly dry your face and then moisturize.

You can apply this DIY face mask to remove blackheads and tighten skin pores, twice a week.

Method 4: Clay

Natural clay has excellent skin-cleansing properties. It is also rich in natural minerals which are slowly absorbed by your skin, boosting its health and appearance.

Step 1. Mix clay powder and water in a bowl

• Pour 2 teaspoons of natural clay powder in a bowl.
• Add water as required to make a fine thin paste.

Step 2. Apply on face and leave it to dry to get rid of blackheads

• Apply this clay mask on your face and let it dry.
• Wash your face with cool water and gently wipe-dry your oil-free face.
• Apply a light or oil-free moisturizing cream to rehydrate your skin.

Method 5: Baking Soda

Baking soda gently exfoliates your skin, removing blackheads and other impurities from the pores. In combination with raw honey, it works wonders for those with combination skin, i.e., both dry skin, and oily skin with blackheads.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (exfoliates and absorbs oil) – 2 tablespoons
• Raw honey (acts as humectant) – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Mix baking soda and honey to form a fine paste

• Pour 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of honey.
• Mix well to form a smooth blend.

Step 2. Apply to gently exfoliate and remove blackheads

• Apply this face mask using a cosmetic brush on the areas that are most prone to blackheads, i.e., around the nose, chin, and cheeks.
• Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes; you may feel a slight stinging sensation.
• Wash it off and gently pat dry your skin.

As honey acts as a natural moisturizer, you don’t need to apply any cream after applying this mask for blackhead removal.

Use this DIY face mask to remove blackheads, 2 to 3 times a week.

Method 6: Cinnamon–Honey Mask

Honey nourishes and moistens skin, while cinnamon has strong antimicrobial properties that help get rid of blackheads and acne-causing bacteria from the surface of the skin.

This sticky mask needs to stay on only for a few minutes to extract and remove your blackheads.

Things you’ll need:

• Organic cinnamon powder (antimicrobial) – 2 teaspoons
• Raw honey (acts as humectant) – 2 teaspoons

Step 1. Mix organic cinnamon powder and honey

• Take 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon spice powder in a small mixing bowl.
• Add 2 teaspoons of raw honey as well and mix well to form a thick paste.

Step 2. Apply on skin to eliminate blackheads

• Apply this DIY face mask on the areas with most blackheads.
• As this mask will sting your skin quite a bit, just leave it on for 2 to 3 minutes and then wash it off with regular water.

Use this mask once a week as needed to successfully remove blackheads from your face.

Method 7: Lemon–Oatmeal Scrub/Mask

Oatmeal has gentle exfoliating and skin-soothing properties and is ideal for removing blackheads from sensitive skin. It is also highly absorbent and contains natural minerals that work to brighten your skin.

Lemon juice also acts as a natural bleaching agent and astringent to help eliminate blackheads and minimize the appearance of your pores. While yogurt undercuts the oiliness of your skin and olive oil works to nourish your skin.

Things you’ll need:

• Lemon (natural bleaching agent) – 1 tablespoon
• Oatmeal (gentle exfoliant) – 2 tablespoons
• Plain yogurt (contains lactic acid) – 3 tablespoons
• Olive oil (contains vitamin E) – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Combine plain yogurt and oatmeal in a mixing bowl

• Take 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt in a bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons of oatmeal.

Step 2. Add olive oil and lemon juice

• Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• Add 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice as well.

Step 3. Mix well and apply on face

• Mix all ingredients thoroughly to get a uniform blend.
• Slightly dampen your skin and gently rub the prepared scrub onto your face and neck for exfoliation.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash it off with cold water.
• Pat dry your skin and apply a light natural moisturizer.

Use this scrub 2 times a week soften and remove blackheads.

Method 8: Oatmeal–Honey–Cucumber Mask

This DIY face mask to help remove blackheads combines the skin-soothing and nourishing properties of oatmeal, raw honey, and yogurt with the skin-soothing properties of cucumber to remove blackheads from your skin and rejuvenate its appearance.

Things you’ll need:

• Cucumber pulp – ½ cup
• Oatmeal (gentle exfoliant) – ½ cup
• Plain yogurt (contains lactic acid) – ¼ cup
• Raw honey (acts as humectant) – 2 tablespoons

Step 1. Combine cucumber pulp and yogurt in a bowl

• Take ½ cup of mashed cucumber pulp in a glass bowl.
• Add ½ cup of plain yogurt as well.

Step 2. Add honey and oatmeal

• Add 2 tablespoons of raw honey.
• Mix well to get a uniform bled.
• Finally, add ½ cup of oatmeal as well.

Step 3. Mix well, chill, and apply

• Mix in the oatmeal and place the prepared mask in the fridge to let it chill and solidify a little.
• Once the mixture has the consistency of thick scrub, apply it on the acne- and blackhead-prone areas of your skin.
• Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and wash it off with warm water.

Prepare and apply this face mask once a week and say goodbye to blackheads.

Method 9: Turmeric Mask

Turmeric lightens skin and has powerful anti-bacterial properties that make it an excellent remedy for treating both acne and blackheads.

This DIY face mask to remove blackheads also includes sandalwood powder that acts as a natural absorbent and cleanser, gently scrubbing and softening blackheads from your skin.

Things you’ll need:

• Organic turmeric powder (contains antioxidants) – ½ teaspoon
• Sandalwood powder (natural absorbent and cleanser) – 1 teaspoon
• Plain yogurt (contains lactic acid) – 2 tablespoons

Step 1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl

• Add ½ teaspoon of organic turmeric powder to 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt.
• Add 1 teaspoon of sandalwood powder as well.

Step 2. Mix well and apply to remove blackheads

• Mix everything to form a smooth paste.
• Apply it all over your face and leave it on for 30 minutes.
• Wash it off with cold water and gently pat dry your skin.

Apply this DIY face mask to remove blackheads, 3 to 4 times a week and get smooth, glowing skin.

Additional Tips

• Always pull your hair back with a hairband before applying a face mask to prevent hair strands from falling forward and sticking to the masks.
• Instead of using regular water, you can also use rose water in any of the above-described face masks. Learn how to make your DIY rose water at home here.
• If your skin is dry and oily in patches, use a combination skin moisturizer instead of an oil-free moisturizer.
• When using drying masks do not overuse the masks if the skin becomes too dry moisturize and use masks less often. Drying out the skin may cause your skin to produce more oil.