A recent study found out about 70% of the American population has, had or will have blackheads at one point in their lives. That's why it's important to know what to do when you encounter one. I will write down 3 Don'ts and follow them up with 3 Do blackhead removal tools.
What not to do when removing blackheads
Baking soda
While baking soda is a popular remedy on social media like facebook and pinterest, it is actually very bad for your skin. Baking soda is very drying and will cause damage to your acidic mantle, resulting on long lasting drying and irritation. If you do want to try baking soda or have good results with it, dilute it with water to lower the pH
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice has the opposite problem of baking soda, the pH of lemon is so low it can cause skin irritation and even chemical burns. That's why it's best to avoid lemon juice at all costs. It is also photosensitizing, increasing the damage caused by the sun. If you do want to use lemon juice, dilute it with water and wear sunscreen afterwards.
Toothpaste
Just like baking soda, the pH of toothpaste is too high. It will cause damage to your skin barrier and can cause skin irritation and dry out. Another side effect of toothpaste is the fact that it contains fragrances and multiple other additives that can cause skin irritation. It's best to avoid it completely. If you do use it, good luck.
While baking soda is a popular remedy on social media like facebook and pinterest, it is actually very bad for your skin. Baking soda is very drying and will cause damage to your acidic mantle, resulting on long lasting drying and irritation. If you do want to try baking soda or have good results with it, dilute it with water to lower the pH
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice has the opposite problem of baking soda, the pH of lemon is so low it can cause skin irritation and even chemical burns. That's why it's best to avoid lemon juice at all costs. It is also photosensitizing, increasing the damage caused by the sun. If you do want to use lemon juice, dilute it with water and wear sunscreen afterwards.
Toothpaste
Just like baking soda, the pH of toothpaste is too high. It will cause damage to your skin barrier and can cause skin irritation and dry out. Another side effect of toothpaste is the fact that it contains fragrances and multiple other additives that can cause skin irritation. It's best to avoid it completely. If you do use it, good luck.
3 great home remedies to get rid of blackheads
Facial Masks
Facial masks are a great way to unclog your pores, while they are wet they are able to go in your pores and surround all the bacteria and dirt. When they dry up, all the dirt will be stuck in the mask and will easily get washed off afterwards. Apply your mask on a dry skin after cleansing it to make it more effective.
Chemical Exfoliants
AHA and BHA are exfoliants that are great for blackheads. Especially the BHA as it contains salicylic acid, which is known to destroy blackheads. While physical scrubbing can sometimes help you with clogged pores, it has the side effect of also causing skin irritation and drying your skin too much. To apply a chemical exfoliant you need to dry your face completely after cleansing it, leave the BHA on for 20 minutes and apply moisturiser.
Oil Cleansing Method
OCM is probably my favorite method, while I do use all of the above three aswell, with Oil Cleansing I can feel immediate results. Before you wash your face apply some olive, baby, mineral oil to your skin and rub it in for about a minute. You will feel all these whiteheads and blackheads unclog. The reason oil cleansing works is because oil dissolves oil, and your clogged pores contain a lot of oil.
Facial Steaming
a facial steamer is a device that creates a face sauna which loosens your pores, allowing them to be cleansed. While cheap devices will not be effective against blackheads. The best facial steamer will improve your skin a lot
Hope you enjoyed my list of Do's and Don'ts, feel free to message me with your home remedies to get rid of blackheads and reduce acne.
Facial masks are a great way to unclog your pores, while they are wet they are able to go in your pores and surround all the bacteria and dirt. When they dry up, all the dirt will be stuck in the mask and will easily get washed off afterwards. Apply your mask on a dry skin after cleansing it to make it more effective.
Chemical Exfoliants
AHA and BHA are exfoliants that are great for blackheads. Especially the BHA as it contains salicylic acid, which is known to destroy blackheads. While physical scrubbing can sometimes help you with clogged pores, it has the side effect of also causing skin irritation and drying your skin too much. To apply a chemical exfoliant you need to dry your face completely after cleansing it, leave the BHA on for 20 minutes and apply moisturiser.
Oil Cleansing Method
OCM is probably my favorite method, while I do use all of the above three aswell, with Oil Cleansing I can feel immediate results. Before you wash your face apply some olive, baby, mineral oil to your skin and rub it in for about a minute. You will feel all these whiteheads and blackheads unclog. The reason oil cleansing works is because oil dissolves oil, and your clogged pores contain a lot of oil.
Facial Steaming
a facial steamer is a device that creates a face sauna which loosens your pores, allowing them to be cleansed. While cheap devices will not be effective against blackheads. The best facial steamer will improve your skin a lot
Hope you enjoyed my list of Do's and Don'ts, feel free to message me with your home remedies to get rid of blackheads and reduce acne.