Posts Tagged ‘rid of blackheads’
Want to get rid of blackheads without having to use topical solutions or tools? Try these natural remedies that will help you get rid of blackhead blemishes.
1. Witch Hazel. Witch hazel is a natural toner that helps to balance oil production in the skin. Eliminate blackheads by soaking a cotton ball in witch hazel and gently cleanse affected areas. You can do this once or twice a day. This method is good for acne as well.
2. Epsom Salt and Iodine. This is a common, yet powerful way of getting rid of blackheads. Make a solution by mixing 1 tsp of Epsom salt and 3 drops of iodine in ½ cup boiling water. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and dab it on the blackheads. This will loosen the blackheads by opening the pores, and you can use a gentle scrub to completely remove them.
3. Rosewater & Oatmeal. Creating a mask with these two ingredients will rid blackheads and prevent future breakouts as well. Mix ground oatmeal powder with rose water and apply to blackhead areas. Let it sit for 15 minutes and wash off with cold water.
4. Fenugreek. Fenugreek is one of the most powerful and natural anti-blackhead herbs. Eradicate blackheads by making a paste out of crushed fenugreek leaves and water. Apply to affected areas on the face for at least 10 minute, then rinse with warm water. You can get rid of blackheads within weeks by using this paste every night before bed.
5. Coriander (cilantro) leaves. You can also use coriander as a blackhead-fighting night pack. Mix 1 tsp. of coriander leaves with 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder. Apply the mixture to your face prior to going to bed. When you wake up in the morning, wash it off with cold water. You will notice that your blackheads will not only be reduced, but your entire complexion will improve.
6. Fuller’s earth, glycerin soap and almond powder. Create a ratio of 1:2:4, fuller’s earth, glycerin soap, and almond powder in warm water to make a smooth paste and apply to blackheads. Keep the mask on for 10-20 minutes then wash off with warm water. You should notice a reduction in blackheads within one week.
The six methods above with help you get rid of blackheads naturally within a fairly short amount of time. Please note that every individual is different, so the remedies above may not work for everyone.
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It has been mentioned on this site before that using your fingers or fingernails to squeeze blackheads is not recommended. With that said, there are a number of blackhead removal tools on the market that are effective and more sterile. Here is a list of the various blackhead removers available.
- Tweezers
Using sterilized tweezers is one of the simplest and most effective tools for removing blackheads. Tweezers are good for unplugging the debris from the clogged pore. When using tweezers, make sure that use a pointed tip that is properly aligned with the blackhead. Be gentle and avoid squeezing the skin to prevent scars.
- Blackhead/Comedone Extractors
The most common tools used for removing blackheads are comedone extractors. Typically used by skin care professionals, comedone extractors are made of stainless steel, durable, and can be sterilized easily. Below are the four types of extractors available:
Extractor With Lancet:
This extractor has two ends that screws into a stainless steel bar: one end with a sharp lancet and the other with a looped extractor. This tool is especially useful if you have both whiteheads and blackheads; the lancet is designed to pierce a whitehead and the loop is designed to extract blackheads.
Double Fine Loop Extractor:
This tool is also good for extracting whiteheads and blackheads. This tool has two “fine” looped ends that is precise for extracting comedones with minimal damage to the surrounding pores. The fine loop extractor is typically the tool of choice among skin care professionals.
Double Spoon Comedone Extractor:
This extractor is especially useful for large blackheads, doesn’t cause skin damage, and is the most user friendly for beginners. With two spoon-shaped ends, the larger end tends to have 7-19 small holes to remove the larger blackheads. The smaller end is used for smaller blackheads.
8 in 1 Comedone Extractor Kit: 
This is a kit that includes various extraction tools. It comes with one bar and eight extractors including a single loop extractor, double loop extractor, fine loop extractor, and two lancets in varying sizes.
| Before using an extraction tool, make sure your face is thoroughly cleansed and steamed to open the pores. Always sterilize the tool before and after use with rubbing alcohol, wiping it with a cotton swab or pad. Follow up with cleansing, rinsing the face with cold water to close the pores. As a final step, use an alcohol free toner to further minimize the appearance of pores. |
- Blackhead Removal Vacuum
This is an electronic device designed to “suck” the gunk out of your pores. It works by creating a suction between a small cup and the face. These devices are the most expensive out of all of the tools and can be difficult to keep clean.
- Pore Strips
Pore strips are among the cheapest of the removal tools. They work by having an adhesive that is placed above the blackhead. When the strip is quickly removed, is pulls out the blackhead and the debris. Pore strips are only to be used on the nose, and the directions must be followed carefully to prevent skin irritation.
Blackhead removing tools are fairly cheap and more sterile than the fingers. However, improper use can lead to pain and infection. Always sterilize your tools (if applicable) and always be GENTLE. Remember to never try to force out a resistant blackhead. For best results, steam or use a warm towel to open your pores.
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Have you ever used a “blackhead treatment” product that seemed to have made your condition even worse ? Ever been puzzled why that “oil-free” cleanser makes you break out even more? Well the culprit just may be in the ingredients. The term “oil-free” can often be misleading. Oil free commonly refers to the absence of mineral oil in a product. But there may be some synthetic derivatives of oil or other irritants that may be harmful to acne prone skin. Below are four ingredients you should look out for in your blackhead treatment products.
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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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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