6 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Blackheads
By Orla, March 18, 2016
Blackheads are a frustrating side effect of oily skin and open pores but we have a few tricks up our sleeve to clear out blackheads and prevent future clogging of pores.
1. Exfoliating Scrubs
In order to clean out clogged pores, you really do need to exfoliate the skin at least once a week. Sometimes over-exfoliating the skin can have the opposite, undesired effect of making your skin produce even more sebum, so start off at once or twice a week and monitor how your skin reacts.
Gently exfoliating every second or third day works well for people with very oily skin but it differs from person to person. Check out Pinterest for lots of natural face scrubs you can make at home.
2. Egg Whites Mask
Applying raw eggs to your face isn’t the most enjoyable experience but it works. Separate the egg whites and egg yolk and rinse your face.
Don’t whisk the egg whites, simply spread the whites on your face using your fingers, wait for it to dry and add another layer. Repeat this until you have three dried layers of egg whites on your face. It will probably take 15 minutes for all three layers to fully dry out.
Using a facecloth and warm water, gently scrub the egg whites off your face. Pores will be tighter and the egg magically pulls out dirt from your pores.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda is amazing for treating blackheads because it’s really antiseptic but it is also extremely drying so frequent use can dry the skin out too much and cause oil production to go into overdrive. It’s best to exercise a little caution if you go for this method.
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with just enough water to form a paste. Massage into areas with large black heads and leave it to dry for about 10 – 15 minutes. Gently clean off the paste with a face cloth and warm water. Try this out once or twice a week to begin with.
4. Honey, Milk & Cinnamon
Mix together a teaspoon of cinnamon, a tablespoon of natural honey and a teaspoon of milk until it forms a paste. Tip: Heat the honey in a bowl over boiling water before combining the ingredients, this will make it easier to blend.
Just like the other remedies, dab this onto the skin and leave it for 15 minutes. Gently clean off with a warm, damp cloth.
5. Finish Off Cleansing with Cold Water
After you’re finished cleaning and exfoliating your skin, pat your skin with cold water. This naturally closes your pores. It’s not a long-term method but it certainly can’t hurt.
6. Fresh Pillow Cases
This trick is more about prevention of blackheads than the best way to remove blackheads. You would be surprised at how much dirt, oil and grime your pillow case can gather in just one week. After taking the time to prep and polish your skin every night, the last thing you want to do is bathe your face in bacteria.
Skincare experts recommend washing your pillow cases every two to three days but with busy schedules, we know that might not always be realistic. You should definitely aim to wash them at least once a week though.
What works for one person may not be what works for another but hopefully one of the above will help unclog your pores for clean, blemish-free skin.
