All over the world people go to extreme lengths to achieve clean, smooth skin. And not only women, but also men who want to look good or take care of their appearance as part of their job. But what to do when going to a cosmetologist takes too much money and time? We are sharing 12 ways to get rid of blackheads on your face at home!
White clay
The best remedy for clearing the skin of blackheads is white clay in any variation. You can use it when washing your face, use ready-made masks or make your own. Dilute the powder with water until it becomes sour cream and add a little olive oil to soften. If you keep the mask for a long time, periodically spray your face so that the clay does not dry out too much.
Preparing to apply the mask
The first step is to thoroughly cleanse your skin of dust, dirt and cosmetics. This can be done with gel or foam for washing. It is better not to use soap - it dries the skin and does not remove fat-based cosmetics well.
The second step is to expand the pores using inhalation. You need to sit for 10 minutes with your face tilted over the steam. This can be a decoction of herbs or just hot water. The better the skin is steamed, the greater the chance of removing comedones.
The third step is to make a mask for blackheads with charcoal and apply it to your face. For this purpose, you can use only crushed charcoal and water, or you can add other components to give additional softness and smoothness to the skin. It is better to apply the mask only to problem areas of the face (the so-called “T-zone”), avoiding the area around the eyes.
Black mask for blackheads based on activated carbon.
Rice scrub
Rinse a few tablespoons of rice thoroughly and pour boiling water over it overnight. Drain the liquid and mash it into a paste - this is your morning scrub. You can add a pinch of salt or ground coffee, a spoonful of honey or a drop of oil. This product not only cleanses the face of blackheads, but also perfectly improves blood circulation.
Causes of comedones
- Open comedones - the plug has access to the surface, and when pressed, it “comes out” in the form of an elastic rod. The only advantage of such phenomena in the skin is that they practically do not become infected. And if there is suppuration, then such a pimple quickly opens with the removal of all contents.
- Closed comedones - the plug does not have a way out, sebum intensively accumulates under the skin, forming white-yellow tubercles. There is a high risk of infection of such comedones with the development of purulent-septic complications of acne, boils and abscesses.
The diagram on the left shows a closed comedone and an open one (on the right).
- Heredity. Oily skin with wide pores is a genetically determined feature. If someone in your family suffered from constant oily shine coupled with comedones, most likely, the descendants will also experience all the negativity of this phenomenon. Here you need to understand that a black mask against blackheads is a temporary measure to make your skin a little better.
- Acne disease. Blackheads are indirectly related to acne and vice versa: enlarged and clogged pores with sebum create conditions for the proliferation of bacteria and the development of inflammation with infection, which ultimately leads to scars and hyperpigmentation.
- Features of neurohumoral regulation. As you know, all diseases occur due to nerves, more precisely - from chronic stress, and even more precisely - due to an imbalance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic systems that regulate the activity of internal organs. The release of stress hormones into the blood radically changes the composition and amount of sebum, making it more viscous and abundant in consistency.
- Hormonal disorders and endocrine diseases. Diabetes mellitus is the main enemy of the skin. Pregnancy, puberty, the formation of the menstrual cycle, lactation are periods of total restructuring of the body, accompanied by a hormonal “explosion”. Over-activated skin glands begin to produce excess sebum. In this case, a face mask for blackheads is a temporary measure. Until the hormonal imbalance is corrected, oily skin with blackheads will remain a sad reality.
- Failure to comply with hygiene rules and untimely cleaning of the face. Anyone who forgets to remove makeup before going to bed or does not remove it well enough should be mentally prepared for the appearance of comedones.
- Using low-quality cosmetics. There is often a temptation to buy this or that product cheaper. But such products contain synthetic insoluble components that accumulate in the skin and clog pores.
- Chronic diseases. Diseases of the digestive system (especially gastritis and dysbiosis) contribute to increased production of the sebaceous glands. Neuropsychiatric diseases also provoke the formation of comedones. For complete treatment, it is better to consult with an appropriate specialist.
- Humid climate coupled with polluted air. Promotes the expansion of pores and the introduction of dust particles into them.
Oily skin and improper care of it provoke the appearance of acne and blackheads.
Honey mask
Apply a thin layer of any natural honey of medium thickness to problem areas for 15 minutes. After this, wash it off with water using massaging movements. But first test the method to definitely rule out irritation and allergies. We recommend repeating the test after purchasing each new jar of honey.
Tips for making black mask at home
In order for a black mask to successfully fight against blackheads, its preparation must be approached with great responsibility.
- Indications for use: oily skin with problem areas, acne, rashes, inflamed areas, irritation.
- Contraindications: dry skin with possible flaking, narrowed pores.
- Checking the prepared mixture for allergens is carried out by applying the composition to the bend of the elbow, and checking the reaction 30 minutes after removal.
- Before applying, you can steam your face by holding it over a bath of herbs to open the pores as much as possible.
- By using scrubs before applying, you risk injuring the skin.
- Sometimes the film sticks very tightly to the skin and is difficult to remove. In this case, moisten the surface a little, and then, carefully grasping the edges, remove.
- After removing it, it is better to apply moisturizer and try not to go outside for an hour or two.
- Can be used once a week for prevention, and 2 times a week if there are many problem areas on the face.
Whitening mask
If you need to not only get rid of blackheads, but also lighten your skin, then use this recipe. Mix equal parts protein, lemon juice and aloe juice, beat thoroughly and apply to face until dry. If there is too much mask, when the first layer dries, you can apply the second one directly on top.
A mask for blackheads should definitely be included in the cosmetic arsenal of those with oily skin with enlarged pores. The predisposition to clogged pores is transmitted genetically, occurs as a result of stress or endocrine disorders, and becomes a consequence of improper facial care. Blackheads do not cause any pain, but they certainly look unsightly.
They form when sebum and dead skin flakes fill the dilated openings of the hair follicles. A pore filled with impurities becomes dark due to the chemical reaction of the sebaceous plug and oxygen. To make your complexion smooth and clear again, masks must be done regularly. Fortunately, this pleasure is not at all expensive, because most of the compositions are easy to prepare with your own hands at home from the most affordable ingredients.
Masks that pull out blackheads clean and smooth the surface of the skin, improve microcirculation, exfoliate dead scales and stabilize protective properties. The effect is noticeable immediately, but for it to be lasting, the procedure must be repeated every week. Such masks cover the face with a thin film, leaving only the eyebrows, lips and area around the eyes unaffected. Cosmetologists apply the composition in several layers and allow it to harden completely, after which they carefully remove it in the direction from the chin to the forehead. The peculiarity of this type of mask is that before using it, the skin must not only be cleansed of cosmetics and impurities, but also thoroughly steamed. This will open the pores and soften the surface layer of the plugs. After completing the procedure, wash your face with water and treat your skin with lotion or tonic.
Gelatin mask against blackheads
It's very easy to prepare. Mix a tablespoon of gelatin with the same amount of milk or water. Heat in the microwave or in a water bath until the gelatin dissolves, but do not bring to a boil. Apply the mixture in a thick layer to your face when it has cooled slightly.
Charcoal mask for blackheads
It is prepared from ordinary activated carbon and works flawlessly. Combine a teaspoon of milk and one and a half tablespoons of gelatin. Crush and add two tablets of carbon, a unique natural adsorbent. It is best to apply the mask to the face using a brush.
Protein mask for blackheads
For oily skin, it is applied to the entire face, and for dry skin, only on those areas where the pores are clearly clogged. Mix the white of one egg thoroughly with a tablespoon of sugar. Apply half of the finished composition to the skin and wait until it dries completely. Then apply the second half and go over the entire face with patting movements of your palms and fingertips. The mass will stick to your hands and, due to this, will pull out impurities from the pores. When your hands stop sticking, rinse off the composition with cool water and moisturize your face with cream.
Alternatively, you can try mixing the white of one egg, two teaspoons each of lemon juice and aloe juice. Apply the mixture in the same way as the previous one: first half, then the rest.
Egg mask for blackheads
made literally from one egg and does not require any other ingredients. Separate the yolk from the white and beat them separately, each in its own bowl. Apply the protein onto your face with a brush or cotton pad and place clean paper napkins on top of it. After about half an hour, when the protein is completely dry, tear the crust off the skin with sharp movements (this may not be the most pleasant sensation, but it’s still tolerable). Wash your face with warm water and apply beaten yolk to your skin, which will soften and moisturize it.
Here are a few more recipes for masks that have proven themselves in cleansing pores.
Kefir | Mix a tablespoon of crushed oatmeal with half a teaspoon of soda and dilute with kefir. |
With boric acid | Mix a tablespoon of crushed oatmeal with 3 drops of boric acid and dilute with kefir. |
Coffee shop | Mix a teaspoon of chopped oatmeal with a teaspoon of coffee grounds, half a teaspoon of salt, a teaspoon of chopped beans and half a tablespoon of sour cream. |
Clay | Dilute cosmetic clay (white or blue) with water and apply to face. |
Rice | Pour a glass of rice with two glasses of boiling water overnight. In the morning, mash the rice and apply it to your face. |
Instead of masks or in addition to them, you can use lotions. For example, wipe your skin with an infusion of flax seeds or chamomile. Alternatively, mix a tablespoon of oatmeal with half a teaspoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of water and apply the mixture to the problem area using a cotton swab.
The formation of blackheads is greatly influenced by an unhealthy lifestyle and incorrectly selected cosmetics. Give up fatty and fried foods, tobacco and alcohol - and your face will become noticeably more blooming. Throw away cheap cosmetics and switch to brands with safe ingredients and a proven reputation. Visit your doctor to make sure there are no major hormonal changes occurring in your body. And under no circumstances try to squeeze out blackheads yourself - this will only introduce an infection into the pores and cause skin irritation.