BLACKHEAD REMOVAL—WITHOUT THE HASSLES

Blackheads are caused by your skin producing too much oil which turns dark when exposed to air. Though almost everyone gets them at one point or another, blackheads can be an eyesore. Getting rid of a blackhead permanently requires removing the entire blockage, not just the black, oxidized section.

There are blackhead extraction treatments, strips, creams, pads, and a myriad of clinical options. However, you don’t need professional help with blackheads. You can easily clean out your pores and remove blackheads at home.

WATER

Most effective of these treatments is good, old water. Wash your face at least three to four times a day, even if just with water. Each time you wash, very gently slide your nail trough the skin on the site where you get blackheads (like you are digging into the skin). Moisturize after each wash and use a toner daily.

FRESH LEMON JUICE

Lemon juice is an astringent and closes the pores. After you wash your face, squeeze some lemon directly onto your palm and apply it on the site of blackheads. Once dried, moisturize your face as usual. You can do this treatment every day.

EGG WHITE MASK

Separate the egg white from the yolk. Dip a cotton pad or a tissue into it and apply it onto the site of blackheads. Let the egg white dry and then apply another layer. Apply a total of 5 to 6 layers while letting each layer dry first. If it doesn’t dry, it won’t be effective. Once the last layer is dry, your skin will feel tight and pulling. Peel off the mask, wash with cold water, apply lemon juice and then moisturize. You can do this once or twice a week.

BAKING SODA

Very soon, baking soda will be your new best friend, if it isn’t already is. It is effective for so many things including blackheads. Soda’s fine granules work to exfoliate and unclog pores. Take a teaspoon of baking soda and add a few drops of water—just enough to form a spreadable paste. Massage the paste on the site of blackheads using a circular motion. Leave it for a few minutes until dry and then wash off. Moisturize afterwards. Don’t apply this more than once a week or it will make your skin very dry.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Wash your skin using a mild cleanser to remove any excess dirt and oil Next, exfoliate the area of the skin that has blackheads. Once the area is exfoliates, moisten a cotton ball with 3% hydrogen peroxide and gently dab your blackheads with it for 2 to 3 minutes. Leave hydrogen peroxide on your skin overnight and wash off in the morning. It will dissolve the blackheads and eliminate them from your skin. You can also use it to remove blackhead scars. Make sure that you avoid your eyebrows and hairline as it will bleach your hair.

If your skin feels dry after dabbing with hydrogen peroxide, apply a few drops of a gentle oil like coconut, sweet almond or jojoba to moisturize your skin.

HOT COMPRESS

Apply a hot compress to your skin, using a soft cloth and hot water. The heat will open up your pores, making it easier to remove blackheads and blockages. Keep the compress on your face for five to 10 minutes before you remove it.

Apply a blackhead removal strip or pad to your face while your skin is still damp from the compress. The moisture on your skin will help the strip bind to your skin and blackheads. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the strip to bond itself. Pull the strip off. It should remove the blackheads from your skin to varying degrees of success. There is no guarantee it will remove all the blackheads in the first go. Try it for 2 to 3 days until you have satisfactory results.

SAUNA

Saunas and spas are highly effective in opening pores and removing gunk from the body including blackheads. If you are unable to go to a sauna, steam your body or atleast face once every 2 to 3 weeks. Simply fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Turn the heat off, hold your head over the pot at a comfortable distance and drape a towel over your head and the opening of the pot so it traps the steam in. Soak the steam in for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the towel, squeeze the area of the skin with blackheads with the back of your nails to clean out the pores.

It is best to clean out your pores a few times a week if you have excess oil, or at least once a week. This will make the cleaning easier since the oil wouldn’t have been accumulated for long and thus not too deep and hardened.

Removing blackheads can be strenuous on the skin. I like to apply rosewater after steaming and blackhead removal since it is soothing and moisturizes the skin without clogging the openend pores like lotions or creams would.

Have you tried any of these blackhead removal methods?

Which one did you find to be most effective?