We all know that blackheads are super annoying and so not sexy looking when you’re this close to your ultimate crush. Of course, we all know a blackhead when we see one–it’s that dark spot stubbornly stuck inside an enlarged pore. Although a blackhead looks like a large speck of black dirt, it has nothing to do with your skin being dirty.
Our skin is made of many pores (varying in size due to genetics,) that house our hair follicles. Yes, even women have hair follicles all over their faces. The hair is just usually so tiny that you can’t see it, but you can feel a bit of fuzz if you lightly rub your [clean!] fingers against your cheeks.
Our skin pores also provide an exit for sebum, the skin’s natural oils. If these pores aren’t properly cleaned on a daily basis, our natural oils, as well as dead skin cells, build up until voila! The formation of the annoying blackhead is complete.
To start getting rid of blackheads, you need products that can do all of the following:
- Restore a normal flow of oil out of your pore by improving the shape of the pore lining.
- Reduce and absorb excess oil.
- Remove dead, built-up surface skin cells that aren’t shedding normally.
- Sadly, lots of products, no matter what they claim, just aren’t capable of doing any of the above, mainly because the ingredients they contain actually make matters worse!
Once you’ve got a blackhead, the desperate search for remedies begins, but before you head to the store to purchase some expensive acne product, give these natural remedies a try.
1. Baking Soda
Simply mix two teaspoons of baking soda with water until you form a paste, apply the paste to the affected area, and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Do this once or twice a week.
2. Cinnamon
Mix one teaspoon each of cinnamon and lemon juices with a pinch of turmeric powder.
Spread it on your face and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it off.
3. Oatmeal
A great breakfast and a great facial treatment.
Mix one teaspoon of honey, the juice of four tomatoes and sufficient oatmeal together to make a paste.
Scrub this paste on your skin and wash it off after 10 minutes.
Make this a part of your daily face regimen.
4. Lemon Juice
Put a few drops of honey on half a lemon, add a little sugar, and gently massage the lemon on your face, particularly on the areas where there are blackheads.
Rinse the juice off after 10 minutes and repeat this once or twice a week.
5. Green Tea
Mix one teaspoons of dry green tea leave with water to make a paste.
Gently scrub the paste on the affected area for two to three minutes.
Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
6. Honey
Apply pure honey on your face and leave it there for 10 minutes.
Rinse your face with lukewarm water and that’s it!
7. Cornmeal
Mix one tablespoon of powdered cornmeal with one of your regular facial cleansers.
Use steam to open the pores on your face, then gently massage in the mixture in a circular motion, focusing on the most affected areas.
Use these remedies regularly for long-term results. If they do not help, consult your dermatologist.
