Contrary to popular belief, blackheads are not caused by dirt, they are caused when excess sebum and dead skin cells block up a pore, so repeatedly scrubbing your face clean will not do a lot of good. In fact, if you wash your face too often, it will cause your skin to create even more sebum, so the blackheads will just come back again. That’s not to say that you should never wash your face again! Just don’t overdo it. If blackheads are a persistent problem for you, here are ten tips that will help you get rid of blackheads, and keep them away for good.
1. Use an oil free cleanser
While over-washing can be counterproductive, you still need to keep your skin clean and do what you can to avoid too much oil building up. Use an oil-free skin cleanser, twice a day, and pay particular attention to the oily zones on your face. After you have cleansed your face, use an oil-free moisturiser, and that will stop your skin drying out.
2. Keep everything clean
As well as keeping the oil on your skin to a minimum, you also need to be aware of the oil you might be picking up from other places. Your pillowcases, for example, can trap oil and sweat in them and then it will transfer back onto your face. Keep anything that comes into contact with your skin clean, and that includes your phone as well.
3. Exfoliate regularly
You shouldn’t try to use exfoliation as a means to scrub the blackheads out of your skin, because that would just make your skin sore. You should, however, exfoliate regularly, as a way to keep dead skin cells from blocking up your pores. Use a gentle exfoliator twice a week and that will lift dead skin cells and help to keep blackheads at bay.
4. Steam
Another good tip on how to get rid of blackheads is to use facial steaming, it is a very effective way of removing excess oil and dirt. It also softens the skin and opens up the pores, which will make it easier for any blocked pores to be cleaned out. Simply hold your head over a bowl of steaming water and let the steam do its job. If you do that every two weeks, it will keep blackheads to a minimum.
5. Bentonite clay
Next tip on how to get rid of blackheads is to use bentonite clay, it does a wonderful job of drawing the oil and impurities out of the pores, whilst at the same time, nourishing the skin with minerals. To make a bentonite face mask, just mix bentonite clay with water to make a paste. Apply the paste to your face and leave it to dry for fifteen minutes and then rinse off with warm water and moisturise.
6. Honey and cinnamon pore strips
You can make your own homemade pore strips with honey, cinnamon and a few strips of clean cotton. They are great for pulling out blackheads, and they are antibacterial as well, so they will stop infection setting in. Make up a paste of equal parts honey and cinnamon powder and apply that to your skin. Lay a piece of clean cotton over the paste and leave it for 5 minutes. When you pull the cotton strips off your skin, blackheads will come out with it and your skin will be lovely and clean.
7. Egg whites
Another tip on how to get rid of blackheads is to use eggs. Egg whites will help reduce excess sebum in the skin they will also tighten the pores, which can help force blackheads out. Just whip up two egg whites, apply it your face, and leave it on for 10 minutes before you wash it off again with lukewarm water. Egg whites also contain loads of protein, so, as well as helping to get rid of blackheads; it will also nourish your skin and leave you with a healthy looking glow.
8. Baking soda
We have already mentioned that exfoliating can help you get rid of blackheads, but you don’t want to use anything that’s too course, or it will aggravate your skin and make it sore. That’s why baking soda is so good for this job, because it is very fine. Just mix baking soda into it a paste and gently massage your skin with it. It will lift dead skin cells and clean out the pores.
9. Lemon juice
Another fabulous tip on how to get rid of blackheads is to use lemon juice. The citric acid in lemon juice will break down dead skin cells and clean out blocked pores. Cleanse your face first and pat it dry. Then, dab some fresh lemon juice on the skin and leave it on for about ten minutes before you wash it off again and moisturise.
10. Green tea
Green tea is another home remedy that you can use to clear up blackheads. It breaks down the sebum and clears out the pores. Steep two green teas bags and allow the tea to cool until it is lukewarm. Dab the tea on your face with cotton wool, and leave it on for ten minutes. Repeat that once a day and you will soon notice a reduction in the number of blackheads that you get.
Contrary to popular belief, blackheads are not caused by dirt, they are caused when excess sebum and dead skin cells block up a pore, so rep...
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