If you aren’t familiar with blackheads, consider yourself lucky. But for us mere mortals out there, the war against blackheads is a constant—albeit, without any permanent solution in sight. Well, lucky for you, that’s going to change really soon; but first, let’s talk about what causes these pesky dots to appear on your face. Simply put, think of blackheads as a form of acne. We all have pores that get clogged owing to a combination of dead skin cells, excess oil and bacteria. The real (black) magic happens when these debris get pushed onto the surface of the skin, get oxidised when they come in contact with air and rapidly turn black. That’s also the reason why our nose, being the oiliest part of our body observes the maximum presence of blackheads. Therefore, it goes without saying that, if you have oily or combination skin, you are more prone to blackheads than the rest of the other skin types.
Blackhead Treatment using home remedies is one of the easiest, efficient and economical ways to tackle the problem; plus, since the DIYS are concocted with natural ingredients, these get the job done without having any pain or negative effects on your skin.
1. Baking Soda
Benefits: In addition to possessing anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, it’s also helpful for exfoliating dead skin cells and extra sebum.
How To Use: Mix 1tbsp of Baking Soda with 2tbsp of water to form a smooth paste. Apply this on the concerned areas and keep it on for 15-20 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.
Frequency Of Use: You can use this everyday for best results.
2. Egg And Honey Mask
Benefits: Egg white helps in tightening pores, hair follicles that produce sebum and subsequently removing blackheads. Honey nourishes and hydrates skin.
How To Use: Blackhead removal at home can be made easy with this one. Mix one egg white with 1tbsp of Honey. Apply the mixture on your face and let it dry. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Frequency Of Use: Once or twice a week.
You Can Also Try This: TONYMOLY Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack
3. Cinnamon Powder And Lemon Juice
Benefits: Cinnamon powder helps tighten pores and improve blood circulation. Lemon on the other hand has anti-bacterial properties that aid in fighting blackheads, acne as well as whiteheads.
How To Use: Mix 2tbsp of Cinnamon Powder with 2tbsp of lemon juice to make a smooth paste. Leave it on for 20 minute and then rinse off with lukewarm water.
Frequency Of Use: Three or four times a week
You Can Also Try This: DearPacker Home Remedy Mask - Cinnamon + Honey
4. Green Tea
Benefits: Green Tea is rich in antioxidants that keeps excess oil at bay, removes impurities, reduces inflammation and helps clear blackheads.
How To Use: Mix a tbsp of dry green leaves with water to make a smooth paste. Apply this on the affected areas for 15-20 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.
Frequency Of Use: Once or twice every week.
You Can Also Try This: Plum Green Tea Clear Face Mask
5. Turmeric And Coconut Oil
Benefits: Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Coconut Oil soothes and hydrates skin; a match made in heaven.
How To Use: This is one of the best home remedies for blackheads out there. Mix one tsp of Turmeric with Coconut Oil to form a smooth paste. Dab the paste on the concerned areas and let it works its magic for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with Lukewarm water.
Frequency Of Use: Three or four times in a week
You Can Also Try This: Nykaa Skin Secrets Turmeric + Coconut Sheet Mask
So now that you know how to remove blackheads at home, let’s move on to more severe and persistent cases of blackheads that might require some extra nudge. Here are some top blackhead treatments and products to look out for, whist waging the war against blackheads. Here’s the checklist.
1. Salicylic Acid And Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid for blackheads is one of the most failproof treatments out there. This is owing to the presence of AHAs (Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids) and BHAs (Beta-Hydroxy-Acids) that removes excess oil, exfoliates and chemically disintegrating the top layer of the skin—thereby unblocking the pores. The best way to use these for blackhead treatment? Scrubs such as Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant packs a double punch of physical as well as chemical exfoliation. However, it’s best to us scrubs only three times per week for oily and combination skin and just once per week for sensitive and dry skin. Alternatively, you can also use cleansers such as Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser which are much gentler on your skin. Follow this up with potent serums such as the Plum Green Tea Skin Clarifying Concentrate that help in blackhead clearing and also prevent spotting and pigmentation.
2. Chemical Peel
If you are looking for an efficient blackhead removal treatment, then chemical peels are your best bet. Employing powerful exfoliating and emollient acids such as Alpha & Beta Hydroxy Acids, Lactic, Glycolic or Salicylic Acid, they slough dead cells, eliminate blackheads, improve fine lines, acne and discoloration amongst other things. However, it’s best to consult a dermatologist to tailor the peel with your skin concern. You can also opt for at-home peels such as the The Body Shop Drops Of Youth Liquid Peel or the Dr. Sheth's Basic Brightening Extra Gentle Daily Peel that can also be used for blackhead clearing.
3. Charcoal And Clay Masks
Charcoal for blackheads? Yes please! Charcoal and clay masks are must-haves for oily and acne-prone skin—all thanks to their innate ability to draw out oil, dead skin and other trapped impurities. Try the Charcoal Mask Peel Off Face Mask Cream Blackhead Remover for All Skin Types that deeply penetrates into the skin and breaks down toxic deposits. For best results, Use this once a week.
4. Facial Cleansing Brush
Electronic skin care devices are sure worth the hype as a blackhead removal treatment. We recommend the Bronson Professional Mini Silicone Face Exfoliator Brushthat gently remove dead skin cells, as well as unclog pores off 99.5% of dirt and oil, and 98.5% of makeup residue. We say hell yeah!
5. Retinoid Creams
One of the best medicines for blackhead is a potent retinoid formula. This is also recommended for more stubborn cases of blackheads that refuse to go away. How? Well, for starters, Retinoids can help unclog pores as well as speed up the skin regeneration process. We suggest starting off by opting for a low dose Retinol such as the Makeup Revolution Skincare Fine Line Correcting Serum - 0.2% Retinol that is ideal for use on skin that has not built tolerance to retinol products.
6. Extraction Facial
If you are on the look-out for an effective blackhead removal treatment, then a blackhead extraction facial might just be what the dermat ordered. The procedure entails facial steaming, a double cleanse followed by application of Glycolic Peel (to unclog pores) such as Makeup Revolution Skin 2.5% Glycolic Acid Tonic and then extracting blackheads with a special blackhead tool. Once this is done, a soothing serum is applied to calm and hydrate skin. However, it’s best to avoid extraction procedures at home, since it can lead to scarring and infections, if not done properly.
Quick Tips To Remove Blackheads
- One of the most efficient ways of removing blackheads is by applying a peel-off mask that deep cleanses your skin. We recommend steaming your face first so as to open the pores.
- Avoid Benzoyl Peroxide since they are only work for inflammatory acne. However, since blackheads aren’t inflammatory in nature, all it does is dry up your skin. Use products infused with Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid instead.
- While it might seem really tempting, it’s best to avoid blackhead removal at home through extraction techniques.
- As they say, prevention is better than cure. We can’t stress enough on the fact that you should never sleep with your makeup on. This is because makeup clogs pores that can subsequently lead to blackheads and acne amongst other things.
- If you are using a Retinol cream as a blackhead removal treatment, then don’t forget to moisturize well if your skin is on the drier side. Don’t forget to use non-comedogenic moisturizers that are formulated specifically to not clog your pores.
- In case topical medications aren’t working, then medications such as oral contraceptive pills work on a hormonal level to treat blackheads. However, these need to be taken under the guidance of your dermatologist.
