Everyone has had at least one blackhead in their lifetime, but individuals with oily skin are the most vulnerable. Blackheads are formed when a mixture of excessive sebum, or oil, and dead skin cells clog an open pore. Open pores is exposed to oxygen give these comedones its black color. Anyone dealing with blackheads knows how difficult it can be to remove once surfaced, so the best way to treat the blemishes is by prevention. Everyone’s skin is different, but diligently following these three blackhead treatment steps can help you to prevent breakouts in the future.
#1 Cleanse Your Skin Every Morning And Night
The best treatment for blackheads is prevention. And keeping your skin clear of oil and debris is the most important element of blackhead prevention. Cleansing your skin before bedtime will clear your skin of the oil and impurities it was exposed to during the day. Cleansing your face in the morning will clear the excessive oil produced while you were sleep. Choose a mild, non-comedongenic cleanser that is soap and alcohol free. Cleansers that contain these ingredients can be too drying to the skin, stimulating the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Clay-based cleansers and masks are recommended since the clay helps draw out the oil in the skin. Be careful to avoid over cleansing, as this can also lead to drying out the skin.
#2 Exfoliation Blackhead Facial Treatment
Getting rid of the oil on your skin is only half the battle. The second part of facial blackhead treatments involve sloughing off the dead skin to prevent pore build-up. The best way to do so is by exfoliating once or twice a week. Avoid using harsh scrubs, and choose a gentle exfoliation product that is made of fine micro-beads. Alternatively, you can use a gentle salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide products which chemically exfoliate the skin. Exfoliate gently, preferably in a circular motion, to avoid skin irritation and damage.
#3 Keep Oil Absorbing Sheets With You
Oil absorbing sheets are a great addition to a blackheads treatment since they are brilliant for keeping your oily skin under control throughout the day. These sheets are very easy to use: you just take a sheet and gently blot the oily areas of the face. Oil blotting sheets are readily available (you can get it at any local drugstore) and relatively inexpensive. But if your face produces oil every 10 minutes, the cost of buying sheets can add up quickly. Alternatively you can cut up thin tissue paper (like clean toilet seat covers), which can be more cost effective.
It’s much easier to prevent blackheads than to remove them. Keep your skin clear with a basic blackhead treatment by cleansing, exfoliating, and blotting your face throughout the day. Before you know it, you will be on your way to having clear, blackhead free skin.
One of the ugly side effects of having blackheads is enlargement of the pores. Keeping your skin as clear as possible and sticking with a blackhead treatment regimen regularly should help prevent your pores from getting bigger. But is there anything you can do to reduce the size of pores once they are enlarged? This is a great video giving advice on how to just that.
Ahhhh…you know that refreshed feeling you get after getting a facial at a spa? Well you can have that everyday with a steam facial! I cannot stress enough how important it is to incorporate steam facials into your blackhead removal arsenal. Exposing your face to warm moisture helps open up your clogged pores, loosening debris and toxins buried deep in the skin. And it is absolutely essential to do if you squeeze your blackheads.
Steam not only helps to alleviate blackhead issues, but also has other skin benefits such as stimulating the skin’s blood circulation, opening of clogged sinus and nasal passages, hydrating and rejuvenating the outer layer of skin. And since facial steaming is a very inexpensive and relaxing treat, it’s just an all around win-win situation!
Now there are several ways you can steam. One of the easiest ways is by taking advantage of the steam from your daily shower. When you take your shower everyday, make sure all doors are securely shut to trap in the moisture. Then you can make the shower as hot as you can withstand. You can also fill up a bowl with hot water, draping a towel over your head as you place your face over the steam. If you’re pressed for time, you can also create a warm compress with a washcloth and hot water; just placed the compress over your face, and let those pores open up.
The best way to steam is by using a portable facial steamer. Investing in a facial steamer is a great investment for anyone who suffers from acne, and they’re not at all expensive. What sets facial steamers apart from the other methods is the different settings, which gives you the ability to control the amount of steam. This is especially great for those who feel like they are suffocating when breathing in steam. And, since they are portable, you can take your facial steamer with you wherever you go.
With a portable facial steamer, you can treat yourself to a spa blackhead treatment in the comfort of your own home!
You can also add essential oils to your steam for additional benefits. Essential oils are emollient and help soften, moisturize, and lubricate the skin. Some oils also have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. For oily skin prone to blackheads, essential oils of fennel, rosemary, and lemon can be beneficial.
When you steam, do so for at least 5-10 minutes for maximum benefits. There are no adverse side effects from steaming, so you can do so as often as you like. However, you should steam no less than 3-4 times a week.
Well don’t just sit there… get to steaming! Your face will thank you for it!
