It is very easy to develop skin problems. It is enough to systematically ignore basic facial skin care: do not take off your make-up at night, use low-quality cosmetics (or inappropriate for your age), etc., as well as have a bunch of bad habits (this is not only about alcohol and smoking, but also about your eating style ). But fixing the problem is more difficult, to the point where regular facial cleansing is required. A cosmetologist will help you get rid of blackheads, but there are also home options for eliminating them.
Causes of blackheads
In order for the fight against unwanted points to be truly effective, it is worth looking at the “root” of the problem and acting in appropriate ways to solve it. Pores are clogged by various pollutants: sebum + dust + cosmetic residues = blackhead. Dirt sits deep in the pore and does not allow it to narrow, thereby provoking its constant expanded state. Because of this, the problem of blackheads can last forever: you just got rid of it, but the enlarged pores accept new impurities and the comedones appear again.
Example of blackheads on the nose
Some of the main causes of blackheads may be:
- work of the sebaceous glands in “extreme” mode. This often occurs in adolescence during the hormonal formation of the body, as well as when this feature is inherited. Don’t forget about hormonal surges in women “once a month” during pregnancy;
- “harmful” nutrition regarding the skin. Such delicacies include all types of sweets, smoked meats, preserves, buns and fried edibles;
- constant stressful situations;
- inappropriate facial care (improper washing, after which impurities remain on the skin, ignoring makeup removal before a night's rest, etc. also has a negative impact)
- preference for cosmetics with dense textures, as well as its excessive use.
The presence of at least one of the presented factors in a woman’s life can appear on the skin of the face as small black dots, which definitely need to be gotten rid of.
Treatment methods for blackheads
Going to a cosmetologist or dealing with clogged enlarged pores on your own is every woman’s business. Fortunately, there are now enough methods for getting rid of blocked sebaceous glands, so you can use any suitable one.
In parallel to changing the style of caring for your skin, it is worth changing your diet, eliminating unhealthy foods (excessively sweet, fatty, smoked, etc.) from the foods you consume.
Steaming and mechanical cleaning
Simple tools for squeezing out comedones can be purchased at any cosmetics store; in extreme cases, they can be squeezed out manually. But before you do this, you need to prepare the skin:
- remove makeup with your usual product;
- wipe your face with a decoction of chamomile to cleanse the skin of remaining traces of cosmetics and disinfect the surface (or use a decoction of calendula or sage);
- let the broth dry on its own on the skin;
- carry out the procedure of squeezing out comedones with a tool or manually.
You can complete this cosmetic procedure for mechanical removal of sebaceous plugs with a soothing mask based on aloe or cucumber. But it is worth remembering that frequent mechanical procedures cause injury to the pores and stretch them, aggravating the situation.
Mechanical removal of comedones
You can steam the skin over steam (a decoction of chamomile, mint, sage, etc.), warm compresses, or simply in a bathhouse (sauna). But the steaming procedure is essentially useless without subsequent cleaning, because simply opening the pore with steam is not enough, the comedone will not go away on its own. Therefore, it is further better to use special adhesive patches for blackheads, which, after removal, will simply linger on them and leave the pores clean.
Adhesive plasters, patches and film masks
A prepared, steamed face is an excellent base for using any adhesive device, be it a small patch or a mask. But if it is not possible to steam your face, then feel free to choose a product with a warming effect (traditionally camphor is included in the adhesive side of a special patch).
Film masks for problem skin fit perfectly, filling all the dimples of the skin surface, so they are great for “pulling out” unfortunate comedones from the pores. Before using the mask, your face should be cleaned of excess dirt, and you should keep it on for as long as the manufacturer indicated in the instructions.
Blackhead patch
Recipes for masks against blackheads
If you don’t want to buy special masks, then there are home alternative ways to get rid of blackheads. Here are some effective recipes:
- The easiest way to make a film mask is to mix 5 crushed charcoal tablets (pharmaceutical activated) with PVA office glue (1 tablespoon). Before the mask, it is better to cleanse the skin of dead cells using scrubbing. Next, you should apply the mixture to the “T” zone - forehead, nose and wings, chin. After complete drying, you can remove the resulting film, and along with it the comedones will be removed;
- Another interesting mask is made from a chicken egg and essential oils of tea tree and ylang-ylang (3 drops each). You can do it every day, especially since it doesn’t last long – only 15 minutes;
- if there is no inflammation on the face, then you can use this mask: mix a spoonful of baking soda with a spoonful of lemon juice and a pinch of cosmetic clay. Apply the mask to the nose and other problem areas, and after 20 minutes cleanse the skin with a sponge soaked in chamomile infusion. You can also simply wash off the mask.
Half an hour after using the mask, you can wipe problem areas of the skin with hydrosol of rose, chamomile, calendula, aloe, etc.
Scrubs and peelings for comedones
Scrubs and peelings can help in the complex of measures to treat acne. You can make the product yourself or purchase it at a cosmetic store.
Among the effective recipes for scrubs, we can highlight the following: for abrasives, you can take ground coffee or “Extra” salt, ground apricot kernels, crushed nuts, etc. Take a spoonful of the selected abrasive (take a tablespoon or a teaspoon, depending on the required amount of scrub), add this a spoonful of honey and a few drops of lavender ether.
You can combine the following components to make your own homemade scrub:
- cinnamon powder + honey + tea tree ether;
- white clay + cucumber juice;
- sea salt + avocado juice;
- baking soda + liquid baby soap.
For peeling, it is effective to use honey, namely the patting method (pour a little honey onto your palms, rub them and use patting movements to work on the face, namely problem areas with pores). Such actions “pull out” comedones from the pores using the natural stickiness of honey. It is also effective to use strawberry pulp, which will serve as a scrub, and its acids as an “acid” peeling. To enhance the effect, you can use a special cosmetic glove.
Salon beauty treatments
If you can go to a salon, you can use various cosmetic procedures to get rid of sebum accumulations and blackheads that have appeared. A specialist, after examining the skin, can suggest the following methods for removing comedones:
- mechanical cleaning (although not a particularly useful procedure for the skin, it is effective. It takes place in several stages. After the session, a recovery period is required);
- phototherapy (a safe procedure without pain, which is carried out with a special device and requires a course of 8-10 sessions. Reduces the appearance of new blackheads and acne, blackheads disappear for a while, and the skin looks much healthier);
- chemical peeling (non-intense peeling brings the skin “to life”, normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands and thereby eliminates blackheads);
- mesotherapy (“the right” medications will not only improve the skin’s overall health, but also relieve it of many problems, including blackheads. A course of such therapy is necessary to see the effect);
- biodermabrasion (one of the peeling options, which is carried out using a complex of mechanical and chemical effects, with the help of the procedure you can significantly reduce the number and appearance of blackheads);
- fractional laser (an expensive procedure with a long recovery period, but it completely gets rid of blackheads. At the same time, you can reduce wrinkles and skin irregularities);
- ultrasonic cleaning (a gentle procedure that requires a course. But it significantly reduces pores and normalizes sebum production).
Ultrasound facial cleansing
In order for the salon procedure to give the expected effect, you should follow the cosmetologist’s recommendations for skin care after the session.
Cosmetic creams, masks and lotions
On the Internet you can find a lot of reviews about the use of this or that cosmetics for blackheads. Some express their “wow” from the effect, but there are also those who were completely dissatisfied with the result. In any case, there are plenty of such products on the cosmetic market.
Be that as it may, the use of cosmetics has its place. Manufacturers claim that only products from one line can be a salvation from blackheads and other similar skin problems. One line, as a rule, includes all the necessary “jars and bottles” for cleansing and caring for the skin of the face. By the way, it often happens that inexpensive complexes have a much greater effect than their famous expensive analogues.
Line of anti-blackhead products
Pharmacy creams and preparations
There are opinions that experts in the pharmaceutical craft know some unique recipes for drugs that allow them to look young for many years and at the same time quickly eliminate skin problems.
When contacting a dermatologist with the problem of comedones, he can select individual proportions of talkers, creams, and ointments. Among these popular remedies, pharmacists-magicians can make:
- zinc-based chatter (+chloramphenicol, aspirin, dimexide, etc.);
- ointment based on sulfur (+zinc, streptocide, etc.).
If you look at the pharmacy counter, you can find ready-made creams for blackheads: Differin, Propeller, Baziron. Ointments: Zinc, Ichthyol, Retinoic.
Prevention of acne and blackheads
It is easier to prevent the occurrence of comedones than to try all sorts of ways to get rid of them. Cosmetologists note the following basic preventive measures that prevent blockage of the sebaceous glands:
- if inflammation appears on the skin, you should not try to get rid of it using mechanical cleansing or other aggressive procedures (for example, squeezing out the comedone yourself);
- It is not recommended to remove oily shine on the skin with alcohol-containing products, or to remove makeup with them;
- Do not wash your face frequently with soap or use scrubs every day, this can cause excessively dry skin;
- you need to use cosmetics specifically designed for a specific skin type;
- Do not use oily cream for oily (or combination) skin.
Treatment of acne and comedones is quite lengthy and unpleasant, and can also require considerable expenses. Timely cleansing of the skin will prevent the development of infection, and suitable cosmetics will eliminate the problem of intense work of the sebaceous glands.
A clean, fresh face is a woman’s calling card. Skin with black dots indicates insufficient care or disruption of the body (if there are many of them). Anyone who has experienced the effects of increased sebum production should know how to get rid of blackheads on the face at home. And not just get rid of them, but prevent them from occurring in the future.
Comedones (blackheads on the face and body) appear as a result of the accumulation of dead cells, dust, sebum and clogged pores. Then only one thought worries you: how to get rid of it quickly and, preferably, once and for all.
Causes of comedones
- Insufficient skin cleansing
If you forget or are lazy to wash off your makeup thoroughly, dust and dirt accumulate in your pores. This is the result of the appearance of small blackheads and pimples.
- Excessive cleansing
Excessively thorough washing and disinfection are detrimental to the protective layer of the epidermis. Why? Overly cleansed skin is defenseless against new bacteria. This is a problem, a sign of alarm for the skin. The sebaceous glands secrete sebum with a vengeance. The result is clogged pores and blackheads.
- Hormonal imbalance
Menstruation, pregnancy, and problems with the endocrine system provoke increased production of sebum, which leads to clogged pores.
- Poor nutrition
Fatty foods, excessive consumption of sweets, smoked foods, and alcohol negatively affect the metabolic processes of the skin.
- Bad habits
Smoking primarily affects the face. The skin reacts most quickly to the tars and carcinogenic substances contained in cigarettes. They can cause inflammation.
- Poor quality cosmetics
Let's not discover in America that cosmetics must be of high quality and dermatologically tested. Questionable products tend to accumulate in the pores and are not completely washed off with tonics and lotions.
- Oily shampoo or conditioner
If comedones bother you, pay attention to what you wash your hair with. Residues from oily shampoo or conditioner can get on the skin (forehead, neck) and cause inflammation of the epidermis.
- Products that are not suitable for the skin
It happens. It is important to follow this pattern and change the foundation or cream that is too oily or not moisturizing enough. It is recommended to use specially selected products that suit your skin type.
What helps remove blackheads: popular methods
- Mechanical removal. Practiced in salons. If you decide to undergo such a procedure, trust your skin to a trusted specialist. After all, the method involves manual cleaning.
- Professional salon cleaning. Vacuum, laser removal, acid peels are effective against blackheads. However, there are also contraindications.
- Masks and scrubs. The essence of these procedures is to exfoliate dead epidermal cells, “stretch” and lighten comedones.
- Steam. An affordable and effective home cleansing method that works by opening the pores and removing dirt from the skin.
Home remedies and recipes for blackheads
Before applying the mixture to your face, check whether you are allergic to its components. Leave the product behind your wrist. If no allergic reaction occurs, feel free to apply to your face.
Steaming
- First, wash your hands and disinfect them with alcohol to prevent bacteria from entering your open pores.
- Steam your face over a decoction of herbs or regular boiling water. Remember, the water should be comfortable. The essence of the procedure is that the pores open and begin to “breathe”.
- It is recommended to carry out the procedure for 20 minutes.
- When finished, wipe your skin with lemon - it will help tighten the pores.
Extrusion
- The quickest tip on how to get rid of blackheads is manual removal. At home, they steam the skin and wipe it with hydrogen peroxide or a slice of lemon.
- Using your fingers (not your nails, where foreign bacteria settle!), carefully squeeze out the blackheads.
- After completing the procedure, treat the skin with peroxide and lemon.
- They don’t wear makeup for days.
Natural masks and scrubs
Gifts of nature cleanse the skin of comedones, taking care of its beauty and elasticity. To know how to get rid of blackheads at home, use natural products: soda, salt, kefir, eggs, clay, lemon, oatmeal, honey, sugar, cinnamon, cocoa, gelatin, green tea, olive oil, activated carbon. They are used to make miraculous masks and scrubs. The ingredients can be used either individually or in combination with other components.
Soda and salt
For dry skin, use carefully. Baking soda relieves inflammation, and salt removes toxins.
- Steam your face.
- Mix salt and baking soda in equal parts.
- Using a cotton sponge, rub the mixture into problem areas using gentle circular movements.
- Rinse off the mask with cool water.
- Apply a light soothing cream.
Soda and water
- Take soda and salt and mix.
- Apply for half an hour to the blackhead area.
- Wash your face with cool water.
Soda and oatmeal
- Hold your face above the steam.
- Mix the cereal with soda (1 tablespoon to 1 teaspoon).
- Add kefir to the scrub.
- Rub in circular motions onto blackheads for 2 minutes, then wash.
Anti-inflammatory product with healing properties. Natural antiseptic.
- Heat a small amount of honey in the microwave.
- Leave the honey mask on for 15 minutes, then rinse off.
Honey and lemon
- Finely chop a piece of lemon.
- Add 1 spoon of honey.
- Leave to act for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly.
Honey and cinnamon
- Take 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and mix with 2 spoons of honey.
- To open pores, hold your face over steam.
- Massage your face a little and rinse.
Honey and green tea
- 1 tbsp. l. mix honey and green tea with 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar and 2 liters. Sahara.
- Apply to facial skin for half an hour.
- Wash yourself.
Salt and lemon
Lemon is a natural bleach.
- Combine salt and lemon juice in equal proportions.
- Apply the product to the problem area.
- Keep until completely dry. Wash your face with cool water.
Cereals
Oatmeal contains many useful vitamins and minerals, a “brush” that sweeps deep impurities out of the skin.
- Grind a couple of tablespoons of rolled oats and add water.
- Rub the applied mixture into the comedones in a circular motion.
- Keep the mask on for half an hour. Rinse it off.
Egg, sugar and lemon
- Beat the white of one egg with sugar and 1 tbsp. l. spoon of lemon.
- Apply the mixture to your face for 15 minutes.
- Wash yourself.
Kefir
Lactic acid fights skin impurities, deeply cleansing the skin.
- Apply kefir to the blackhead area. Leave for 20 minutes.
- Rinse off with cool water.
Gelatin and milk
You can also add activated carbon to the mask.
- Mix gelatin and milk in equal parts. Heat in a water bath until paste.
- Apply two layers to face. The second - after the first has dried.
- Keep the mask on for 20 minutes. Rinse with water at room temperature.
Activated carbon
Coal is a natural absorbent that removes harmful substances, toxins and waste accumulated in the layers of the epidermis. For dry and combination skin, add a fermented milk product instead of water.
- Grind four tablets of activated carbon into powder.
- Add boiled water at room temperature, stir.
- Apply to the comedonal area. Let the mixture dry.
- Thoroughly rinse off any remaining charcoal.
Clay and activated carbon
- Grind a few charcoal tablets into powder.
- Bring the mixture to a paste by adding a spoonful of clay and water.
- Apply to problem areas for 20 minutes.
- Rinse with water.
Cocoa and olive oil
- Mix cocoa powder (2 tablespoons) with brown sugar.
- Add a couple of teaspoons of olive oil.
- Apply the mixture to your steamed face. Rub lightly into problem areas.
- Rinse off with cool water.
Toothpaste and salt
- Mix 4 parts toothpaste with 1 part salt.
- Apply the mixture to wet face.
- Hold for 5 minutes. Rinse with water.
How to make and apply masks, watch the video.
Prevention and advice
- Always remove makeup before going to bed.
- Give your skin a break - go without makeup.
- Use high-quality cosmetics.
- Cleanse your skin 2 times a week.
- Wipe your face and neck with herbal infusions and ice cubes.
- Make a lemon-cucumber toner and wipe your face with it after washing your face.
- Do not use soaps and lotions containing alcohol - they dry out the skin, causing increased activity of the sebaceous glands.
- Wash your face with cold water in the morning and evening.
- Do not touch your face with dirty hands.
- Drink 2 liters of water per day.
- Get enough sleep. The face accumulates fatigue.
- Eat natural foods rich in vitamins.
Only systematic skin care procedures coupled with a balanced diet can bring the desired results in the long term. It is difficult to get rid of blackheads instantly using folk remedies. However, reviews say that it is real. Shall we check it for ourselves?
Blackheads can drive anyone crazy. Comfortably located on the wings of the nose, chin and forehead, these messengers of evil are not going to leave your pores so easily! In fact, acne is a common accumulation of dead skin particles, traces of cosmetics, dirt and dust, generously flavored with sebum. Yes, it’s not a pleasant sight. As a result of such blockage, the skin stops breathing, and blackheads turn into full-fledged pimples, causing a lot of trouble for their owner. People with oily skin types especially suffer from comedones. How to get rid of blackheads and return your face to a fresh, radiant look? The answer is hidden in our article!
Where do blackheads come from?
Certainly not from the tooth fairy and Santa Claus. To effectively fight acne, you need to know your enemies by sight and determine the cause of their occurrence.
If you are not a teenager, not a pregnant woman or not a nursing mother, then an imbalance in the sebaceous glands can be explained by an increased hormone dihydrotestosterone. The fact is that at the age of 27-30, the level of estrogen in the blood begins to fall, which activates the work of the sebaceous glands. But there is good news: with age, most likely, this will go away on its own.
Or rather, those that are not suitable for you. Too rich creams with artificial flavors can stimulate the appearance of acne. The oil contained in their composition tightly clogs the pores, creating a favorable environment for blackheads.
Insufficient or excessive care
There should be a golden mean in everything, even in washing. If you went to bed with foundation on your face, the cause of your acne is obvious. And if you diligently wash your face, using 1000 and one facial cleanser, then you also risk getting comedones. The fact is that too thorough washing and frequent scrubbing violates the protective layer of the skin, which serves as an alarm bell, and the sebaceous glands begin to work even more actively.
The direct effect of stress on blackheads has not been proven. But people believe that many diseases appear precisely against the background of emotional and nervous exhaustion. So it is possible that your problem is related to chronic stress or lack of sleep.
Alcohol and coffee
Abuse of caffeinated drinks and something stronger directly affects the condition of the skin. Coffee increases the activity of the sebaceous glands, and alcohol interferes with healthy sleep. Hence the acne.
A person who smokes can hardly boast of perfect skin. Smoking leads to clogged pores, which contributes to premature aging and inflammation.
Remember, you can only touch your face with clean hands! Just imagine how much bacteria and dirt accumulates on them during the day from store handrails, money, door handles, etc. Is your nose itchy? At least scratch it with a napkin!
Methods for getting rid of blackheads
Squeezing out blackheads is not the best way. During the process of mechanical action, the skin is injured and the pores are stretched, attracting even more dirt. In addition, there is a risk of scarring. Even if you couldn’t resist squeezing out a blackhead, be sure to wipe your skin with a soothing tonic that tightens pores.
More and more often, cosmetologists are resorting to this method. Ultrasonic cleaning does not damage tissue, gently cleanses, removes dead epidermal cells, smoothes and softens the skin. Do this procedure for 2-3 months, and the number of blackheads will noticeably decrease.
An excellent home care product is white clay masks. The natural absorbent wonderfully removes excess sebum, dries out inflammation, tightens pores, removes toxins and mattifies. The skin becomes fresh and attractive. The mask formula is usually supplemented with antibacterial components (aloe vera, rosemary, etc.), which relieve irritation, and moisturizing substances (algae extract, glycerin, vitamin B5, etc.). Apply the mask to problem areas, avoiding the delicate areas of the mouth and eyes.
If you don’t have clay on hand, you can use liquid honey. This is an excellent natural antiseptic that does not dry out and delicately cleanses the skin.
Acne can not only be removed, but also lightened. Mix the juice of half a lemon and one cucumber with a spoon of honey. Wipe your face with the mixture 2 times a day and monitor the results. Lemon juice can be replaced with apple cider vinegar. After some time, the visibility of the blackheads should decrease.
Avoid foundation and powder with a thick texture. Replace them with a light water-based PP or BB cream, whose airy consistency does not clog pores and does not cause inflammation. If your skin is too oily and very shiny, you can add matteness using loose powder. This will not only hide blackheads, but also protect your skin from road dust, soot and dirt.
Some manufacturers are trying to solve the problem of blackheads using unique technologies. A striking example is the new Clarisonic device. It cleanses impurities well, copes with even stubborn makeup, tightens enlarged pores, softens the skin, making it soft and smooth.
Gels, peelings, balms, foams
And other ready-made cleansers that you can find in stores. You shouldn't grab everything. It makes sense to consult with a cosmetologist and take the daily care that suits your skin. After any cleansing, do not forget to moisturize your skin.
Change your lifestyle
Do you want to remain flawless? You will have to get rid of bad habits, give up fast food, alcohol, sweets and fatty foods. All this has a detrimental effect on the condition of the skin and provokes active secretion of sebaceous secretion. Eat more proteins, foods with fiber, vitamins A and E. Your digestion will improve, which means your skin will look more beautiful.
For an instant aesthetic effect, adhesive plasters for the T-zone with a carbon or herbal base are suitable. You can find them at the pharmacy and they are inexpensive. The truth is that sticky strips will not solve the root problem of blackheads.
Prevention of comedones
Prevention consists of high-quality cleansing and normalization of the sebaceous glands. By following these tips you will get rid of the risk of blackheads.
- Wash your face twice a day using mild cosmetics that do not clog your skin.
- Forget about soap and alcohol for cleaning your skin. Dry skin will begin to produce even more sebaceous oil.
- After removing makeup with micellar water, milk or other product, be sure to wash your face with clean water. And it’s better than cold, it will close the pores and protect the skin from external influences.
- Choose creams, tonics and scrubs according to your skin type.
- Touch your face with your hands less.