No one likes having acne, but blackheads have earned a special place on the list of skin problems that can ruin someone’s day. These blemishes form when dead skin cells and oil build and clog your pores and hair follicles. It’s this action that creates those dark and unsightly dots on and around your nose and on your chin and cheeks.
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Blackheads are commonly caused by an overproduction of skin oil, the build-up of bacteria on your skin, cosmetic product build-up and some medications, such as androgens and lithium.
Now that you know what causes those dreaded dark spots, here’s what you can do to try to get rid of them! Check out the following six natural remedies to banish blackheads for good.
1. Homemade Lemon Toner
Blackheads form when your clogged and open pores react to oxygen, so shrinking those skin openings can help. Lemon juice reduces pore size, but it can also lighten your skin temporarily and make you sensitive to sunlight. If your skin is sensitive, use water to dilute the lemon juice before use.
What you need:
• 1 bottle
• Cotton balls
• 1 whole lemon
Wash your face and gently dry it. Squeeze the lemon for its juice, and put the liquid into a small bottle. Use just enough juice to soak one cotton ball, and apply it to the affected areas of your face. Repeat this three or four times a week at bedtime. When you wake up, remember to rinse your face with warm water and use moisturizer.
Keep in mind that lemon juice may sting, so discontinue use if it’s too uncomfortable or if your skin is really reacting to it in terms of redness or pain. You can store the leftover juice in your fridge, as it will last for around seven days.
2. Warm Water Rinse
Rinsing with warm water will make your pores appear bigger and remove excess oil and dead skin, clearing out your pores.
What you need:
• A soft towel
• Warm water
• Moisturizer
For this remedy, simply wash your face with warm water at least two times a day. Dry gently with the towel, and apply skin moisturizer afterward. Two of the best times to wash your face are in the morning and at night, since you’re likely to have the highest oil and dirt accumulations at those times. Make sure you take the time to wash all areas of your face thoroughly because people often miss certain spots, such as the top of the forehead near the hairline and by the jaw.
3. Honey And Milk Pore Strips
Both milk and honey are good for your skin. According to Women’s Health, milk is excellent at removing dead skin and extra oil, two things that can cause blackheads, and honey is a natural pore cleanser. When these two items are combined, they act as a natural adhesive.
What you need:
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1 teaspoon milk
• Dry cotton strips
Combine the honey and milk in a microwave-safe bowl and mix thoroughly. Heat this mixture for five to ten seconds in your microwave, and then mix again to ensure a complete blend. Once it cools, apply a thin layer to the blackheads on your face. Firmly, but gently, pat a strip of the cotton onto it. Let the cotton dry for at least 20 minutes, and then slowly peel the cotton strip away. Once you’re done, wash your face with cold water and apply a skin moisturizer.
4. Egg White Mask
This easy mask can be made at home easily and quickly. Eggs whites can tighten your facial pores temporarily, removing some current blackheads and helping to prevent future ones. It’s also less drying than some other methods and has rich vitamins your skin will benefit from.
What you need:
• 1 egg
• Soft tissues
• A soft towel
• A small bowl
Crack open the egg and separate the yolk and the white, placing the white part only into your bowl. Wash and gently dry your face. Apply the egg white in a thin layer over the affected areas of your skin. Use a tissue to get the egg white on your face by coating it in the egg white and pressing it gently to your face.
After the first layer of tissue egg white dries, repeat the same process again twice, adding a second layer and then a third. Let the mask completely dry, which usually takes around 20 minutes. You’ll feel your skin get tighter. Once it’s all completely dry, gently pull the tissue layers from your face. Wash your face thoroughly and pat dry.
You can apply up to five layers, but always make sure each layer is dry enough before you add another one.
5. Cinnamon And Honey Strips
As covered in the honey and milk pour strips remedy, honey is great for your skin. Cinnamon is also useful for fighting blackheads because the spice stops acne-causing bacteria in its tracks, according to the Huffington Post.
What you need:
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1 teaspoon organic honey
• Cotton strips
Mix the honey and cinnamon powder together until you get a paste. Apply this paste in a thin layer over the affected areas of your face. Place a strip of cotton over that, and wait for three to five minutes. Gently pull the strips off, and thoroughly clean and moisturize your face. Note that you should never apply cinnamon alone directly to your skin, as it can cause irritation.
6. The Tomato Mask
Tomatoes have some great natural properties for acne-plagued skin, per Health Guidance. They have antioxidant properties and are packed with acids that clear pores and help tighten skin.
What you need:
• 1 tomato
• 1 bowl
Cut an “X” out at the top of the tomato. Run it under warm water for one minute, and then peel off the skin. Remove all the seeds and then take the remaining pulp and mash it in the bowl. Turn that pulp into a paste. Once it’s smooth enough, apply it as a mask over your face in the same way as a traditional beauty mask. Leave it on your face to harden for about 60 minutes and then rinse your face thoroughly.
For a minor problem area that doesn’t need such intense treatment, you can cut a fresh tomato in half and rub an open side onto the spot you’re worried about. Massage the juice in for a few minutes, and rinse off completely. Tomato juice, mixed with a few drops of lime juice and applied to the problems areas with a cotton ball for a few minutes, can also help.
Start using these natural remedies today to fight your blackheads in a cost-effective and gentle way. If you suspect a cause you can address, such as make-up build-up, is contributing to your blackhead problem, be sure to change your habits so you have fewer breakouts in the future!
