Unappealing to look at and frustrating and painful to get rid of, blackheads become the bane of existence for many. Regardless of skin type, anyone can suffer from blackheads. Dealing with blackheads in an uninformed way usually worsens the problem.
Blackheads are basically dead skin and oil trapped in your pores. This collective mass of grime essentially “plugs” your pores.
As this material is exposed to the surroundings, the air oxidizes it, making it turn dark or black in color. This gives the appearance of little black spots dotting the skin.
Unlike pimples, your body doesn’t make any effort to deal with blackheads as they don’t pose a threat to your health.
Since there is no bacterial growth, there’s no potential harm to the body. Instead, they just detract from your appearance – and afford you no social advantage. So, you end up constantly battling with them or hiding them under makeup.
There are a host of commercial products in the market to remedy this problem. Besides being very expensive, these products often leave your skin dry, and often don't even work.
Worse yet, most of the time, you can’t even identify the ingredients in these products, and they may be actually be harmful. So, instead you can try out some DIY hacks to remove blackheads at home
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Remedies to Remove Blackheads at Home
Invest a little of your time and energy into these simple home remedies, which make use of natural and readily available ingredients and methods that you are probably already somewhat familiar with.
Here are four methods to get rid of those pesky blackheads:
- Method 1: Egg White Mask
- Method 2: Milk and Gelatin Mask
- Method 3: Steam Bath for Your Face
- Method 4: Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Scrub
Method 1: Egg White Mask
Things you’ll need:
- Egg – 1
- Paper towel
Step 1. Extract the whites from an egg
Break an egg over a bowl. Holding the yolk in the shell, separate the whites into a bowl. Take care not to let the yolk fall into the bowl.
If you find it tricky to extract the whites like this, you may use other techniques to separate the whites and the yolk.
Step 2. Whisk the whites
Using an electric hand blender, whisk the whites. You can also use a hand whisk. The whites should be whisked until they are frothy.
Step 3. Apply a layer on your face
Apply the egg whites on your face. You can use an old makeup brush for an easy and efficient application. Avoid the soft areas around your eyes.
Step 4. Cover your face with a layer of paper towels
Tear the paper towels into strips. Cover your face with the strips, applying a gentle force. They will stick to your face because of the egg whites.
Step 5. Apply another layer of egg whites and let it dry
Now, apply another layer of egg whites over the layer of paper towels. Relax as you let the mask dry on its own.
Step 6. Peel off the dried mask
When the mask becomes dry, peel it off. As you peel off the mask, the blackheads are removed along with it.
Wash your face after you’re done to remove any residue. Since egg whites tend to tighten the pores, those blackheads won’t be returning anytime soon.
You can easily apply this mask twice a week.
Method 2: Milk and Gelatin Mask
Things you’ll need:
- Gelatin – 4 tablespoons
- Milk – 1 tablespoon
Step 1. Mix the gelatin and milk
Measure 4 tablespoons of gelatin into a microwave-safe bowl and add 1 tablespoon of milk to it. Mix the ingredients together.
Step 2. Heat the mixture
Heat the mixture into the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, 20 seconds at the most.
The mixture will turn into a paste after being heated in the microwave, let it stand in microwave uotp one minute to finish and cool slightly.
Step 3. Apply it on your face and let it dry
Just coming out of the microwave, the paste is bound to be hot. However, the paste will harden quickly, so you need to apply it right away.
So, bearing with the temperature a bit, apply the mask on your face with an old makeup brush. Be sure not to apply it over your eyebrows, it can easily pull the hair out.
Let the mask dry.
Step 4. Peel off the mask
Peel off the mask. This step might be a bit painful, but it does get results. The blackheads are pulled out of your skin along with the mask.
Since this mask exfoliates and tightens your pores, your skin should feel baby soft. However, due to exfoliation, your skin will be a bit sensitive. Keep it hydrated, moisturized, and free of makeup for the day.
Apply the gelatin mask once a week to keep your skin free of blackheads. You can apply it just on the problem areas like the forehead or the T-zone of your face.
Method 3: Steam Bath for Your Face
Things you’ll need:
- Electric steamer
- Water
- Towel
Step 1. Steam your face for 10 minutes
Rinse your face with plain water first to remove any surface dirt and grime. Cover your head with a towel, forming a steam tent over your head. Let the water steam your face for about 10 minutes.
Keep your face at a comfortable distance from the steam, to avoid scalding. The steam will open up the pores on your face to release trapped materials making blackheads.
Step 2. Remove the blackheads
Now that your pores are open, you can more easily remove your blackheads. Massage the area around the blackheads with your finger and push the blackheads out. Most of the blackheads come out easily.
Wash your face with cool water afterwards to close up your pores. You can easily do this twice a week.
This is perhaps the safest way to remove the blackheads.
Method 4: Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Scrub
Things you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Step 1. Put baking soda in a mixing bowl
Put some baking soda in a small bowl. Baking soda is a natural ingredient that acts as a scrub. It exfoliates the skin, ridding it of dead skin and blackheads, leaving your face glowing.
Step 2. Squeeze lemon juice into it
Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice into the bowl. Lemon juice is an exceptional cleanser and perfect for excessively oily skin.
Step 3. Make a spreadable paste
Make a paste. The paste should have a spreadable consistency so that you can easily apply it. The quantity of the paste should be adjusted according to your needs.
Step 4. Apply it on the problem areas
You can use this scrub over your entire face or just on the problem areas. Massage the scrub gently over the affected area for 2 to 3 minutes.
Problem areas differ for each person, but the most common is the area around the nose.
Wash the scrub off. Pamper your skin and keep it hydrated for a day or two. You can use this scrub twice a week.
Additional Tips
- Always test the masks and scrub on a small patch of skin before trying them on your face. If the skin feels irritated or red, chances are the method is not suited to your skin type, area, or current condition. Do not proceed with the method if that is the case.
- Wash your face and gently pat it dry before applying the face masks. Let the masks dry completely before peeling them off.
- Even if you’ve accidentally gotten the gelatin mask over your eyebrows, no need to panic. Wet the patch with warm water. This will soften the gelatin, which you can then remove with your nails without harming your eyebrows.
- Wash your pillowcases at least once a week, as oil and dead skin collect on the pillows. This buildup in turn comes in daily contact with your face, for many hours increasing the chances of blackheads.
- If your skin is sensitive to lemon, dilute it with a little water.
- Avoid touching the blackheads. Squeezing and poking irritates the skin and often leads to skin injuries that can make the problem worse or cause new issues.
Nice
Good info,
Thanks!