#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.

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Making your strips will require two ingredients that you can easily obtain at your local grocery store. You need 1 1/2 Tablespoons of milk and one Tablespoon of unflavored gelatin (Knox brand is the most commonly used for this recipe).  Mix the milk and gelatin together and warm in the microwave for ten seconds.  Using a clean wedge or cotton ball/pad, apply the mixture to the blackhead affected areas, avoiding the eyes.  Keep the concoction on your face for 10-15 minutes to completely dry.  When the mixture is dry and hardened, it will form a film.  Gently peel off the film, and voila, you’re blackheads are gone!

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1. Lanolin

Lanolin is one of the most common ingredients in cosmetic products, used for skin moisturization.  Lanolin, in its natural form, is the oil from sheep skin extracted from wool. Pure lanolin in this form may or may not be harmful to those with acne.  Some argue that pure lanolin will not cause breakouts; others claim that the fatty acids of lanolin share similarities to the fatty acids of sebum, which can trigger acne in those who are predisposed to the condition.

Most cosmetics on the market do not use pure lanolin, but synthetic derivatives.  Synthetic lanolins, such as acetylated and etoxylated lanolins, are definitely oily, comedogenic and should be avoided at all costs.  These lanolins actually penetrate the pores better than natural lanolin.  If you decide to use lanolin, only use pure natural lanolin oil, and test a small patch of skin to check for adverse effects.

2.  SD Alcohol

SD Alcohol is a denatured alcohol used as a solvent.  SD alcohol used as a main ingredient,  can be irritating and overly drying the skin, causing overproduction of oil to compensate for dryness.  Small amounts of SD Alcohol may not be a cause for concern, and is sometimes used in conjunction with salicylic acid.

3.  Isopropyl Myristate

Isopropyl Myristate is often used as a thickening agent to help a smoother application of a product.  This penetrating oil is known to clog pores, aggravate acne and can cause some allergic reactions to the skin.  There are also other chemical compounds that act similar to isopropy myristate that should be avoided.  The most commonly used are: isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl isothermal, putty sterate, isostearyl neopentonate, myristyl myristate, decyl oleate, octyl sterate, octyl palmitate and isocetyl stearate and PPG myristyl propionate.  You will definitely want to put any product with these ingredients back on the shelf!

4. D & C Pigments

D & C pigments are dyes that give some products red coloring. Some of these dyes are derived from coal tars known to be comedogenic. Some of these dyes including D & C Red #9 and D & C Red #40,  have been tested for comedogenicity;  these were found to be the most problematic of the various red pigments.

***A note on mineral oil (Paraffinum Liquidum)...**** I myself have been guilty of advising anyone with acne or blackheads to stay away from this ingredient. Mineral oil has gotten a bad rep for clogging pores, exacerbating acne problems. However,a 2005 study published the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, states this is a myth - finding that cosmetic grade mineral oil is not comedogenic at all. Though some may experience sensitivity to mineral oil, it is not generally a cause of concern.

It’s important to note that everyone is different, and your skin may or may not react adversely to the above ingredients.  If you notice any of these ingredients in your products that seems to work well, keep using it. On the other hand, if you are using products with these ingredients that don’t seem to be working for you, stop using them immediately. When shopping for a blackhead removal treatment, opt for labeling that states it is “non-comodegenic” instead of “oil-free”.

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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!

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Have you ever looked in the mirror, found a blackhead staring right back at you, and had the immediate impulse to immediately squeeze the little bugger into oblivion?  If so, you’re not the only one. Removing blackheads are so frustrating especially when no topical treatment or cleanser seems to be working.  Naturally, we are immediately tempted to pick them out as soon as we notice it.  However, experts  say that squeezing or picking a blackhead is a huge no-no, and they’re better left alone. But what if you can’t resist?  Is there ever a time that squeezing is OK?

If done incorrectly, applying pressure to blackheads can be very damaging to the skin.  There is always a risk of inflammation, swelling, infection and rupturing blood vessels.  This is why you should never remove a blackhead with your fingernails, as squeezing a blackhead with your fingernails can push the gunk clogging the pores even deeper, where it can develop into inflamed lesions. You also put yourself at risk for permanent scarring and enlarged pores.

On the other hand, if done correctly, gentle blackhead extraction can be beneficial to improving the appearance of your skin. Though, it’s important to use the proper tools such as  comedone extractors, pore strips, or sterilized tweezers.

If you feel that it is absolutely necessary to squeeze a blackhead, steam your face for at least 5-10 minutes before doing so.  The steam will open your pores and help dislodge the blackheads.  A facial steamer is a great investment for any acne sufferer, but if you’re on a budget, you can always fill a large bowl with steaming hot water, place a towel over your head to form a tent, and comfortably place your face over the bowl.  Alternatively, you can also place a warm washcloth over your face.  After extracting the blackheads, gently cleanse the skin and apply toner to close the pores.

For best results, you should leave the squeezing to a dermatologist or professional aesthetician who is trained to extract blackheads without damage.

So, the next time you look in the mirror and feel the urge to attack those blackheads with your fingernails, reconsider. Proper tools and technique would be a much better choice for removing blackheads than your fingers.

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