9 Effective Home Remedies For Blackheads

Blackheads occur when the sebaceous glands produce too much oil that gets clogged in the skin pores and results in ugly black dotted marks on the face. These pores have much wider openings than normal pores and are a cause of concern for a lot of people. Blackheads are dreaded because they not only ruin your appearance but also ruin your make-up by showing up even through layers of foundation.

The oil or sebum, not only gets the pores clogged, but also builds up additional residue over time, which causes the pore opening to look black, hence the name ‘blackheads’. Blackheads are normally found to occur during puberty, although they are also found to occur in individuals from other age groups too.

Cosmetically, blackheads are commonly removed by glued strips which are to be placed over the blackheads and ripped off after a while. Not only is this procedure painful, but it does not succeed in keeping blackheads away for too long. What is needed are natural home remedies that tackle the problem from the root and leave you with clear skin.

Lemon Juice And Salt

Lemon juice is a strong astringent, which is helpful in dissolving and eliminating dirt, grime and grease from the skin. Apply it directly on the blackheads with the help of a sterilized cotton swab. To make it more effective, one can also add two tablespoons of table salt to the lemon juice and use it the same way. Salt has the property of drying out any surface and in the case of blackheads, this is much needed. The remedy must be used on a regular basis and is a proven cure for blackheads. Rinse your face with clean lukewarm water after each application.

Cornmeal

Cornmeal helps to exfoliate your skin as it is rough to touch. This helps in forcing out the blackheads from the pores. Mix two tablespoons of cornmeal with tea tree oil or lemon juice. Use this paste on the blackhead affected areas and leave on for a while. Wash off with warm, clean water. For stubborn blackheads, you could follow the cornmeal procedure after steaming your face so as to cause your pores to open up and eliminate blackheads faster. When steaming your face, ensure to use cold water for your final rinse after the cornmeal, to shut the pores that were opened with the steam. Failure to do this will make you more prone to sebum build-up.

Almonds

Almonds are highly valued in the treatment of any skin woe. Almonds are beneficial because they not only nourish the skin, but also gently exfoliate it, removing dirt, grease and grime. In the treatment of blackheads, almonds are very commonly used for quick, visible results. Soak a few almonds overnight, in water and grind them the following morning. Use this paste along with a few drops of honey or a pinch of turmeric powder. Leave on the affected area for a few minutes and rinse off with plain water to find a visible improvement in your condition.

Cucumber

Cucumber can be ground to a paste and applied to the skin, as a pack. Leave this on for half an hour and then wash off. Not only will you see improvement in your blackheads, but you will also see that your skin is much softer than before.

The reason for this being that cucumber softens and hydrates the skin due to its high water content and the presence of essential vitamins and minerals as well. Cucumber is very mild in nature and can be used as frequently as needed, without it causing any damage to the skin.

Tomato

Tomato pulp is another handy kitchen remedy for blackhead removal. A paste made from fresh, ripe tomatoes can be applied to the affected skin and left on for thirty minutes, followed by a rinse with water. Being a rich source of citric acid and vitamins, tomatoes have an astringent property in them which help dry out and remove blackheads. They can be used together with honey or turmeric as well, for effective results.

Papaya

Papaya is very rich in essential vitamins such as Vitamin A and C, besides being a powerful antioxidant in nature. Grind a few pieces of papaya to a smooth pulp. You could add in a little milk or cream as well. Smear over the affected skin and leave on for fifteen to twenty minutes. Papaya dissolves and washes away all the dirt build-up that blocks the pores and thus eliminates blackheads. A regular use of this pack ensures keeping your skin devoid of blackheads for good.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is by far the most unlikely remedy for cases of blackheads. Highly underestimated, it proves a lot of people wrong by actually diminishing blackheads. Apply a sufficient amount and smooth over the blackhead area. Leave on for about fifteen minutes, during which a slight tingling feeling could be experienced. Do not fret over this because it’s just a part of the toothpaste’s way of acting on the skin. Wash off thoroughly after this to find your blackheads considerably reduced. Steaming before doing this would also be helpful in providing better results.

Potato

A common find in any kitchen, a potato is not really something you would consider a beauty remedy. But the goodness of this vegetable in the removing of blackheads is rather astounding. Wash and grate/grind a potato to a paste that can be spread easily. After doing this smooth it over the blackhead affected area and leave on for ten to fifteen minutes. Rinse off or wipe with a clean cloth. You will find that your blackheads have reduced noticeably, leaving behind smoother, clearer skin.

Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel is a strong yet natural astringent, which causes the breakdown of the sebum build-up that causes blackheads. Apply with a ball of cotton, over the blackheads and leave on for fifteen minutes, allowing it to soak into the skin. Wash or wipe off after that. Being anti-inflammatory in nature, it clears up any inflammations in the skin pores and ensures that the skin is healthy.