The Best Home Remedies for Blackheads and Whiteheads
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The Best Home Remedies for Blackheads and Whiteheads? Even if you rarely have pimples, you may have blackheads or whiteheads. These blemishes are often stubborn and hard to get rid of once they form. Both are types of acne, even though they aren’t red, raised, or filled with pus. Blackheads and whiteheads are easier to hide than pimples are because they are flat, but they can make you self-conscious about your skin.
Blackheads and whiteheads can form on your face or on your body. Taking care of your skin regularly can help prevent blackheads and whiteheads from forming, but once they do form, you may need to add additional steps to your skincare routine to get rid of them naturally.
The Best Home Remedies for Blackheads and Whiteheads
What are Blackheads and Whiteheads?
Although they are similar, there are a few differences between blackheads and whiteheads. Blackheads look like small dots on the surface of your skin. They are sometimes called open comedones because the pore is still open.
When your pore gets clogged with sebum, a natural oil on your skin, the pore can turn black due to oxidation that happens from the air and the oil. Blackheads usually form on your face, shoulders, or back.
Whiteheads are similar to blackheads in that they are formed by clogged follicles. They are sometimes called closed comedones because the pores get clogged with bacteria and have a very small opening that is too small for air to get through. For this reason, they do not turn black from oxidation. Whiteheads often form on your face, shoulders, or back.
Clean Your Face
The top thing on home remedies for blackheads is so simple that people often overlook it. You should clean your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser. This helps remove dirt, sebum, and bacteria that can clog your pores. If you wear makeup, it’s important to remove your makeup each night before washing because it can clog pores and lead to blemishes.
Face Masks
Once a week, use a face mask to naturally exfoliate and remove dead skin cells and excess oil. Both charcoal and clay masks are effective for blackheads and whiteheads. If you use a clay mask, choose a type of clay that draws impurities from your skin like green clay or bentonite clay.
To make a simple mask, combine 2 teaspoons of charcoal or clay and 1 teaspoon of water in a small bowl. Spread on your face and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse well and moisturize your skin because these masks are drying.
Bentonite clay can be irritating and leave you with red skin. If you like the effects of bentonite clay, you can use half charcoal and half bentonite clay to get the effects of both products.
Use Witch Hazel
Witch hazel makes a great toner, and it doesn’t irritate your skin as alcohol does. It’s a natural astringent, so it temporarily shrinks your pores to reduce the chance that they will clog. It also reduces excess oil on your face that can clog pores and lead to blackheads.
After you wash your face, wet a cotton ball with witch hazel and rub it over your face. Then follow with your moisturizer. Use twice a day to prevent future blackheads from forming.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Like witch hazel, apple cider vinegar is a natural astringent, so it helps close your pores. It can also remove excess sebum on your skin to prevent future blemishes.
Apple cider vinegar is too acidic to use without diluting it. Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with the mother with 8 ounces of water. Use a cotton ball to apply to your skin and leave it on for 20 minutes. Then rinse and finish with your skincare routine. You can use apple cider vinegar after washing your face twice a day. However, you should not use apple cider vinegar and witch hazel at the same time because they can be too drying.
Exfoliate
Once or twice a week, you can exfoliate your skin with an exfoliating scrub. Use a scrub that’s made for your face and avoid harsh exfoliants because they can cause small tears. The skin on your body is thicker, so you can make a sugar scrub or a salt scrub to scrub those areas.
There are some facial cleansers that are meant for daily exfoliation. They are mild and won’t cause irritation if you use them daily. However, you should not exfoliate more than once or twice a week if you are using another product that’s not labeled for daily use.
Facial Steam
Performing a facial steam can open your pores and encourage the trapped oil or bacteria to leave. You can use a device that’s made just for steaming your face. You can also boil water and put it in a bowl. Then make a tent with a towel over your head and place your head about a foot from the hot water.
The towel will trap in the steam, but you’ll be far enough away from the hot water that you won’t risk burning your skin or otherwise damaging it.
Eat a Balanced Diet
You are what you eat. Your skin needs the vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that are found in foods. You can apply vitamins and minerals topically, but your skin benefits more when you eat them. Drink a lot of water to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
Take Care of Yourself
Limit stress levels by practicing meditation or yoga. Take time for yourself for self-care, whether that is directly taking care of your skin using a mask or spending that time reading, listening to music, taking a walk, or engaging in a hobby.
Don’t Pick
You may be tempted to squeeze blackheads or whiteheads, but you really should let them heal on their own. If you squeeze them or pick at them, the bacteria that clogs the pore can spread, leading to more blemishes. You could also cause permanent scarring or hurt your skin.
If you have blackheads or whiteheads, it can take a while for them to heal naturally. Practice good skincare and keep your skin clean to prevent future breakouts. It may take several weeks to see results, but soon your skin will be clear again.