For all the girls who have had blackhead issues, you know how it feels to see that army of pesky heads and having that urge to thwart them for good? You keep trying different skincare techniques and think why do these stubborn creatures keep coming back?

What are Blackheads?

Blackheads are small black skin projections found on the face especially the nose. Blackheads are a result of the oil secreted by the sebaceous glands, called sebum. When this sebum gets clogged in your pores, it oxidizes and turns to blackheads.

Cause of Blackheads

Owing to poor skincare routine, makeup residue and dirt on the skin that has not been wiped off contribute to blackheads. Blackheads don’t cause any direct harm to the skin, but are the basis of acne, scars and spots. Large blackheads can cause permanently distended pores as they keep the pores clogged for too long.

Upon seeing those black dots sitting all over your nose, one gets the urge to extract them with their two fingers. However, at home extraction is a complete no. Since sebum is naturally occurring in the skin surface, if you remove it, it will come back.

Constantly squeezing the skin, in an attempt to remove the blackheads, may cause damage or injury to the skin. This will make it appear worse and the pores will get more distended.

Here are some blackhead removing tips:

Blackheads and Nose Strips

The sebaceous glands are in an overdrive during the warm and humid months. Many tend to use nose strips, but what’s more essential is to tackle the oil secretion. So what you need to do is rather than looking for a quick solution, use gentle exfoliation in your skincare regime.

No doubt nose strips are great and also work effectively to remove blackheads. But what they don’t do is removing the ones deep down in the skin layers. Moreover they don’t treat the source of blackheads either, so reappearance is common.

Exfoliation

Treating blackheads is a better option. Incorporate an exfoliant in your skincare routine. This will help you get rid of all the dead cells and impurities on the skin surface. Thus helping your skin appear much healthier. Moreover other skincare products will also get absorbed more readily.

Toner

To prevent the pores from clogging, you should use a toner containing beta hydroxyl acids and salicylic acid. Being oil-soluble products, they help regulate the sebum buildup.

The Myth behind Scrubbing

Clogged pores often lead you to the idea of scrubbing. But the truth is scrubs can never help you get rid of blackheads. It can only help you remove them temporarily. Overdoing exfoliation, may in fact cause an overproduction of sebum which further intensifies skin congestion. So what you need to do is use oil-free skincare products for hydration and make use of gentle exfoliates.

Drenching your skin with alcohol toners in an attempt to get rid of blackheads will also not help. Since the sebaceous glands are attached to the hair follicles on the skin surface; blackheads keep coming back when the oil is produced. There’s frequent clogging in oily and combination skin types, unless they are thoroughly cleansed on a regular basis.

Blackhead Extractor

Incorporate a milky face wash in your skincare regime. The consistency is essential, so make sure it’s not too thick or too watery. You can get warm steam or use a steamed towel and apply on your face. This will soften the skin and open the pores for blackheads to easily come out.

Disinfect the blackhead extractor with an alcohol swab or just wash with hot water. Press it gently over the skin, applying a little pressure. The blackheads will be eased out of the skin. Wash the face with cold water to close pores and avoid more blackheads.

Lemon and Yogurt Mask

Take two tbsp. of yogurt and a few drops of lemon. Mix it and apply the paste on your face, massaging in circular motions. Lemon and yogurt contain acidic properties and cleanse the skin off of any dirty and impurities, that cause blackheads. Wash off with water.

Charcoal Mask

Apply this skincare product on your face for twenty minutes. This mask removes blackheads and also minimizes pore size. The excess oil and dirt are also cleared from the skin. When this mask is applied on the face, it adheres to the skin. When you wash it off, it also washed away the oil from the face.

Pink Soul brings to you the most effective charcoal mask. Prepared with betonies clay, tea tree and charcoal clay; it’s a completely organic skincare product. It purifies skin, clearing away the excess oil and ridding you off blackheads.

Baking Soda Paste

You can make a paste using 2 tbsp. Water and 1 tbsp. baking soda. Apply on the skin and scrub. Wash off with water.

Egg White Paste

Eggs have natural skin tightening ability. They shrink the pores and force blackheads out of the skin layer. Egg whites are nutrient rich and help remove excess oil from the skin surface.

Just beat the egg white of one egg in a bowl and apply it on your face. Let it sit until dry. Wash face with cold water.

Other Blackhead Removing Ideas

Getting micro foliation with a toner contains glycolic acid, will keep the blackheads from coming out more frequently. Using a retinol serum for nighttime skincare can also help. Both these will target the original cause of oil secretion and congestion through dead skin cells. This will also make the skin smooth.

For those who wear makeup every day, make sure to double cleanse with micellar water and a non-soap foaming cleanser every night. To ensure an adequate oil water ratio, get maximum hydration and do not use silicone based skincare products as they are inclined to clog pores. Also don’t forget to layer your skin with sunscreen containing niacinamide serum. When you go to bed, always use retinol based cream for hydration and collagen restoration. Wash your face with a pH balanced cleanser especially after hitting the gym or a sweaty trip.

Make sure to keep in mind all these skincare guidelines when you next stare at those blackheads in your mirror!