10 Tips to Get Rid of Blackheads

Blackheads are one of the most common skin problems. They look like tiny black dots on the skin. Blackheads occur when a clog or plug develops in the opening of hair follicles in your skin. Each follicle contains one hair and a sebaceous gland that produces oil. This oil, called sebum, helps keep your skin soft. Dead skin cells and oils collect in the opening to the skin follicle, producing a bump called a comedo (KOM-e-do). If the skin over the bump opens, exposure to the air causes it to look black, and a blackhead forms. If the skin over the bump stays closed, the bump is called a whitehead. If you’re affected by blackheads and would like to remove them, follow these simple tips:

Use a primer before applying makeup.

For a makeup look to go on perfectly and stay in place, use a primer before applying makeup. Primers provide a smooth canvas for foundation and help it to go on evenly and last longer. Many primers also contain ingredients that nourish the skin, help to unclog pores, and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.

Make sure to choose an oil-free makeup primer that fills in your pores and has silicone as an ingredient. Silicone helps create a barrier between the skin and the makeup so that foundation doesn’t settle into fine lines or wrinkles or clog pores. Also try to find one with antioxidants built-in, like vitamins A, C & E which can also help improve skin tone over time by fighting off free radicals caused by UV rays and pollution.

Wash your face regularly with a gentle cleanser.

To keep blackheads at bay, you need to make sure your face is clean. That means washing it regularly with a gentle cleanser. Here's what not to do:

• Don't scrub your skin. It will only cause irritation and inflammation, which can lead to acne.
• Don't use a washcloth or exfoliating sponge on your face. It's too harsh.
• Don't wash more than twice a day. The more you wash, the more oil your skin will produce, leading to clogged pores (and blackheads!).
• Don't use a harsh cleanser with ingredients like fragrance and alcohol that may dry out your skin and cause irritation or redness. Instead, try using one that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and have been shown to help reduce blackheads and breakouts.
• Don’t use hot water on your face! Hot water strips away natural oils from our skin leaving it dehydrated which leads to dryness and irritation—not something we want when trying not only to avoid breakouts but also to treat them! Use lukewarm water instead so as not just keep the moisture in our faces but also keep any nasty bacteria out!

Always put on a moisturizer that is oil-free.

Apply an oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and protect it from irritation. There are many over-the-counter moisturizers that you can use, such as CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM or Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer. If you have oily or combination skin, choose a product that says "oil-free" on the label.

If you want to remove blackheads, look for a moisturizer that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide — these ingredients help unclog the pores by removing excess sebum (oil) and dead skin cells.

Apply a clay mask to avoid blackheads.

Applying a clay mask to your skin can help to remove blackheads on the face. Clay masks can be used on any part of the face, even sensitive areas like around the eyes. The only thing you have to be careful of is that you use a clay mask that’s right for your skin type. Generally, people with oily skin should use kaolin (white) clay masks and those with dry skin should go for bentonite (blue-green) clay masks. Once you’ve figured out which kind of clay mask is best for you, apply it gently to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

Exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells and reduce the chances of clogged pores.

Regular exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells and oil that can clog pores and cause blackheads.

The best time to exfoliate is in the morning, prior to applying makeup. Over-exfoliating your skin can result in irritation and dryness, so be sure to use a gentle exfoliant, like one that contains lemon juice or oatmeal. Additionally, don't scrub too hard!

Make sure you take off your makeup before going to bed every night.

We’ve all woken up with a zit after falling asleep with our makeup on. You get so tired that you fall into bed without taking off your makeup and then wake up the next morning with a blackhead or two (or five) on your face. If you just can’t resist curling up in bed, make sure you always take off your makeup before hitting the sack. It’s best to use a remover or cleanser to remove makeup, which cleanses your skin much better than if you were to just rinse it off with water. Use a cotton pad to dab remover or cleanser all over your face, concentrating more on areas such as under the eyes and around the nose where there is usually more buildup of product. After removing your makeup, cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any residue left behind by the remover/cleanser, and go about following your nighttime skincare routine!

Use pore strips to remove blackheads that are already on your nose and face.

• Get a pore strip from your local drugstore or Amazon. You can find one for under $20.00.
• Wash your face, then wet it with lukewarm water before you apply the strip to make sure it sticks onto your skin better and doesn't hurt as much when you pull it off.
• Dry your hands, open up the packet, and take out one pore strip, then place it on top of a blackhead so that the adhesive side is against your skin. Press down firmly so that there isn't any air between the strip and your skin (that's what causes pain).
• Leave it on for about 10 minutes, or until dry (usually 8 to 12 minutes). Then slowly peel off the pore strip starting at the outer edges of the nose - don't pull all at once because you might rip out some hair along with it! When done properly, this should hurt no more than if someone were pulling very gently on a few strands of eyebrow hair with tweezers...

Wash your hands before applying anything to your face, especially if you have acne-prone skin or a skin condition like rosacea.

Before applying anything to your face, wash your hands or wear gloves. This is a vital step, especially if you have acne-prone skin or a skin condition like rosacea. Consider using antibacterial soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. 

Avoid touching your face when possible, especially if you haven’t just washed your hands.

Touching your face when you haven’t washed your hands is one way to introduce bacteria into your pores, which can lead to blackheads. In addition, it's important not to squeeze or pick at blackheads. Instead, gently use a tissue or cotton swab to loosen the blockage and let it come out on its own.

Treat blackhead-prone areas with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide treatments.

When used consistently, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help clear up the unwanted blackheads on your nose and face. Salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, breaks down dead skin cells and oil that clogs pores. Benzoyl peroxide helps treat acne by killing bacteria. Both are available in drugstores or online.

Remember, you should use these products regularly or they won't be effective against blackheads! Apply them as directed on their packaging, usually once or twice a day. Once the blackhead clears up, you should continue to use the products so they don't return!

Conclusion

Remember, it's key to use products that care for your skin as well as getting rid of these blackheads. Look for vitamin C and glycolic acid, both are known for their skin brightening properties. Combine those ingredients with a product containing salicylic acid and there is a cut chance you will be able to remove all the blackheads on your face. At least, that is if you follow these 10 tips to remove blackheads from your face. Happy cleansing beauty-lovers!