Blackheads are small, reddish-brown or black bumps that are a result of clogged skin pores. Dead skin cells and oils accumulate in the opening of the skin follicles, producing a bump. If the skin over this bump opens, exposure to the air makes it look black, hence the name blackhead. Squeezing them out is not the best idea as it can lead to inflamed skin, and eventually, scarring.
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We all hate blackheads and erasing them can be such a pain. Squeezing them out, getting a facial, using nose strips – it can all be so overwhelming! With the ever-increasing pollution and dust around us, the stress of a hectic lifestyle, and harmful chemicals in the products we use, blackheads are a common sight.
24 Simple Home Remedies To Remove Blackheads Permanently
Important Tip
When you are using any of the home remedies, especially the scrubs, it is important you be careful and not scrub your skin excessively. Doing this will only damage your skin, cause rashes and scars, or aggravate the blackheads and infect them.
Home Remedies For Blackheads
Here are some home remedies to get rid of blackheads. Do try these and you will see the results soon.
FACE PACKS
1. Egg White
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This face mask can not only help prevent blackheads but also protect your skin from getting tremendously greasy. Egg white helps in removing the current blackheads and tightening pores. Albumin, a key ingredient present in egg whites, is mainly responsible for this pore-tightening property. This mask will also make your skin glow.
You Will Need
1 egg white
1 teaspoon honey
What You Have To Do
1. Mix the honey into the egg white and apply the mixture on your face.
2. Let it dry. Wash off with warm water.
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat this once or twice a week.
Best Suited For
Oily skin, combination skin
2. Cinnamon
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The antibacterial activity of lemon juice works really well to treat blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Cinnamon improves the circulation of blood and keeps the skin healthy and glowing. It also tightens pores and delays aging.
You Will Need
1-2 tablespoons cinnamon powder
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
What You Have To Do
1. Make a thick paste by mixing honey with cinnamon powder.
2. Apply it to your blackheads on the nose and other parts of the face.
3. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse.
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat this three to four times a week.
Best Suited For
Oily skin, combination skin, normal skin
Caution
Make sure you do a patch test before using spices on your face to prevent unwanted reactions.
3. Aloe Vera
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Aloe vera soothes the skin, cleanses pores, and also controls excess oil production. All these, in turn, help you get rid of blackheads, acne, and many other skin issues (4).
You Will Need
Fresh aloe vera gel
What You Have To Do
1. Extract fresh gel from an aloe vera leaf and apply this to your face.
2. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this every day for a clearer and smoother skin.
Best Suited For
All skin types
4. Turmeric And Mint Juice
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Turmeric is considered to be a great healing ingredient. Its key component, curcumin, is antimicrobial in nature and removes the bacteria present in the skin’s pores. Turmeric also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which further improve the texture and health of your skin. Mint juice soothes the skin and is very cooling.
You Will Need
1 tablespoon turmeric powder
2 tablespoons fresh mint juice
What You Have To Do
1. Mix the turmeric with the mint juice to form a paste.
2. Apply this paste on the affected areas and let it dry for 10-15 minutes.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water. Do not forget to moisturize the area.
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat this once every week.
Best Suited For
All skin types
5. Fenugreek
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Fenugreek is very beneficial for the body, be it through topical application or oral consumption. It consists of powerful antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory and emollient properties. It efficiently clears blackheads and whiteheads from your skin (7).
You Will Need
1 cup fresh fenugreek leaves
Water
What You Have To Do
1. Grind the fenugreek leaves with enough water to make a smooth paste.
2. Apply a thin layer of the paste on the affected areas and let it be.
3. Rinse after 10 minutes with lukewarm water.
4. Pat dry and apply moisturizer.
You can also use fenugreek seeds instead of the fresh leaves to make the paste.
How Often You Need To Do This
Use this face pack once or twice a week.
Best Suited For
All skin types
6. Tomatoes
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Tomato has natural antibacterial properties that dry up blackheads (8). It also contains lycopene that exerts strong antioxidant effects on the skin and removes all the damage-causing free radicals (9).
You Will Need
A small tomato
What You Have To Do
1. Take the tomato, peel and mash it, and apply it over the blackheads before going to bed.
2. Leave it overnight and then wash it with clean water in the morning.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this every night before going to bed.
Best Suited For
All skin types
Caution
Dilute the juice with equal parts of water if you have sensitive skin.
7. Clay Mask
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Bentonite clay absorbs the impurities from your face and cleans your pores thoroughly, leaving behind the fresh and clean skin. It is also antibacterial in nature. Its regular application will help get rid of blackheads from their roots.
You Will Need
1 tablespoon bentonite clay
Water
What You Have To Do
1. Mix enough water into the clay powder to make a paste of medium consistency.
2. Apply this all over your face to eliminate even those deeply embedded blackheads.
3. Let the mask dry for a couple of minutes.
4. Rinse it off with lukewarm water. Pat dry and moisturize as usual.
How Often You Need To Do This
Apply the mask once or twice a week.
Best Suited For
All skin types
Caution
If you have sensitive or dry skin, substitute water with raw milk.
8. Charcoal
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Activated charcoal is regular charcoal that has been exposed to a gas in the lab to make it more porous. This increased porosity makes it absorb more amount of impurities from the surroundings and trap them inside. When this mask is applied on the face, the activated charcoal will absorb all the impurities and clear your blackheads very quickly. The bentonite clay further enhances the ability of the mask to absorb impurities.
You Will Need
2 capsules of activated charcoal
½ teaspoon bentonite clay
Water
What You Have To Do
1. Carefully remove the activated charcoal from the capsules, add bentonite clay to it and mix well.
2. Add enough water to make a paste of medium consistency.
3. Apply this all over your face and let it dry.
4. Rinse with warm water. Moisturize as usual.
How Often You Need To Do This
It is advised to apply this pack twice a week.
Best Suited For
Oily skin, acne-prone skin
9. Green Tea
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Green tea is rich in antioxidants that clear up your skin and make it healthy and glowing. It absorbs the impurities and clears blackheads quickly.
You Will Need
1 teaspoon dry green tea leaves
Water
What You Have To Do
1. Mix the tea leaves with water to make a paste.
2. Apply this paste on your face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry and moisturize.
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat once every week or as required.
Best Suited For
All skin types
10. Strawberry
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Strawberries can also remove blackheads. The alkalinity helps to reduce the swelling and cleanse the pores that are blocked. It is a natural exfoliant for the skin. This yummy fruit is also rich in vitamin C, which improves the skin’s dryness and moisturizes it.
You Will Need
1 strawberry
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
What You Have To Do
1. Crush the strawberry and add the honey and lemon juice to it.
2. Mix well to make a coarse paste.
3. Apply this paste on the skin and leave it for 15-20 minutes.
4. Rinse with cold water.
How Often You Need To Do This
Apply this once in every few days.
Best Suited For
All skin types
11. Aspirin Mask
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Aspirin has anti-inflammatory properties and will reduce the redness and swell at the blackhead affected area. It removes the dead cells and blackheads. It also reduces the size of the skin pores and helps prevent acne and blackheads in the future.
You Will Need
3-4 aspirin tablets
Water
A few drops of almond oil or lemon juice
What You Have To Do
1. Crush the aspirin tablets and mix with water to make a paste.
2. If you have dry skin, add a few drops of almond oil. For oily skin, replace the almond oil with a few drops of lemon juice.
3. Apply this on the blackhead affected area and let it dry for 10-12 minutes.
4. Rinse with water and moisturize the area.
How Often You Need To Do This
Apply this mask no more than twice a week.
Best Suited For
All skin types
Caution
Make sure you add almond oil or lemon juice based on your skin type. Using oil on oily skin can lead to acne and using lemon juice on dry skin can dry out the skin further.
EXFOLIATORS AND SCRUBS
12. Baking Soda
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Baking soda is not only an antibacterial and antifungal agent, but it also is an excellent skin exfoliator. It is an effective and simple home remedy to keep blackheads and even pimples at bay.
You Will Need
1 tablespoon baking soda
2 tablespoons water
What You Have To Do
1. Mix the baking soda and water to get a fine paste.
2. Apply this paste on the affected areas.
3. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.
You can add some toothpaste or a few drops of lemon to the baking soda paste for added benefits.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this every day to get rid of blackheads quickly.
Best Suited For
Oily skin, combination skin
13. Honey
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Honey has been medicinally used for centuries. Its benefits are many, and its antibacterial property is what is essential to treat blackheads. Lemon juice brightens your skin and sugar is an excellent exfoliator.
You Will Need
1 tablespoon organic raw honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
What You Have To Do
1. Mix the ingredients and rub the scrub gently on your skin.
2. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
How Often You Need To Do This
Use this simple scrub/mask every day.
Best Suited For
All skin types
14. Milk
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Applying milk to the affected area and gently scrubbing will help eliminate the blackheads. Milk consists of lactic acid, which breaks down the dead cells on the skin’s surface and helps to remove them.
You Will Need
Raw milk
1 teaspoon nutmeg powder (optional)
What You Have To Do
1. Apply the milk to the blackhead affected area and gently scrub.
2. Rinse with warm water.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this every day till you get rid of the blackheads.
Best Suited For
Most skin types
Caution
If you are allergic to dairy and its products, do not use this remedy.
15. Lemon
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The combo of yogurt and lemon juice works wonders in removing blackheads effectively. Lemon juice removes the skin’s impurities, tightens pores, and also lightens the skin. Yogurt acts a natural moisturizer and does not let the skin dry. Salt works as a good skin exfoliator.
You Will Need
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon yogurt
½ tablespoon salt
What You Have To Do
1. Mix the ingredients and apply the mixture to the affected area in a gentle circular motion.
2. Leave it on for 10-12 minutes.
3. Rinse with warm water.
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat this every alternate day.
Best Suited For
All skin types
Caution
Be gentle while scrubbing the skin.
16. Exfoliating Wash
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The process of exfoliating removes blackheads by extracting dead skin cells from their roots. Exfoliation is good for oily as well as dry skin. Oatmeal is an excellent exfoliant, and it also has anti-inflammatory properties. Yogurt and olive oil supply the skin with essential nutrients and keep it healthy and glowing. Lemon juice kills any bacteria present and also reduces blemishes.
You Will Need
2 tablespoons ground oatmeal
2 tablespoons yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
What You Have To Do
1. Make a mixture of oatmeal and yogurt. Add lemon juice and olive oil. Mix well.
2. Make a smooth paste and apply it on the face.
3. Leave it for 10-15 minutes and then wash it off with cold water.
How Often You Need To Do This
Apply this exfoliating mask once in every two to three days.
Best Suited For
All skin types
NATURAL CLEANSER
17. Coconut Oil
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This might be a bit surprising, but coconut oil works really well to get rid of blackheads. It consists of lauric acid, an extensively tested antimicrobial agent. Apart from these ingredients, coconut oil also nourishes the skin and helps in quick and easy elimination of dead skin cells.
You Will Need
A few drops of organic virgin coconut oil
What You Have To Do
1. Apply coconut oil on the affected areas and massage well.
2. Leave it on as it will get naturally absorbed into the skin.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this every day before going to bed.
Best Suited For
Dry skin, combination skin
18. Castor Oil
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Castor oil is widely used in India and Africa for its cleansing properties. It absorbs the skin impurities and clears the dead cells’ debris that is clogging your pores and causing blackheads.
You Will Need
A few drops of castor oil
What You Have To Do
1. Apply a thin layer of castor oil on a clean face and massage for a minute or two.
2. Leave it on.
If you feel that it is too sticky, you can wipe off the excess oil from your face using a cotton ball after 15-20 minutes.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this every night before going to bed.
Best Suited For
Dry skin, combination skin
19. Jojoba Oil
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Jojoba oil is an essential oil that closely resembles the skin’s natural oil. When it is applied, it decreases the production of excess sebum that was causing the clogged pores. This unclogs pores and helps you to get rid of the blackheads.
You Will Need
A few drops of jojoba oil
What You Have To Do
1. Rinse your face with warm water and pat dry.
2. Massage jojoba oil on the skin for a few minutes. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes.
3. Rinse with warm water again.
You can add a drop or two of tea tree oil to this as well.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this twice a day for best results.
Best Suited For
Dry skin, combination skin
20. Salt Water
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A slow, but effective way to get rid of blackheads is to wash the affected area with salt water on a regular basis. This should help in gradually eliminating the excess oil in the area. Salt water also has mild antibacterial properties.
You Will Need
1-2 tablespoons salt
Water
What You Have To Do
Mix the salt thoroughly with water and wash your face with this water.
How Often You Need To Do This
Wash your face with this water a few times a day.
Best Suited For
Oily skin, combination skin
Caution
If you have dry skin, use a good moisturizer after you rinse your face with salt water to prevent dehydration of the skin.
21. Cleansing
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Makeup causes clogging of pores, so make sure you remove it thoroughly before you go to bed to avoid pore-clogging and oil build-up, which lead to blackheads. Keep the oily areas of your face like the nose and cheeks oil-free throughout the day by using an oil-free antibacterial cleanser. Moisturize your face to avoid dryness of skin, which often leads to breakouts of blackheads (31).
You Will Need
An oil-free antibacterial cleanser
Moisturizer
What You Have To Do
1. Remove your makeup and cleanse your face with an oil-free and antibacterial cleanser. Use gentle, circular motions.
2. Rinse the cleanser with water and pat your face dry.
3. Apply a moisturizer.
How Often You Need To Do This
Wash with an oil-free cleanser at least twice a day.
Best Suited For
All skin types
22. Toothpaste
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Mint toothpaste is considered to be very helpful in clearing blackheads. The mint in the toothpaste will open up your clogged pores and also kill any bacteria that may be present. The ice cube rub, in the end, will close your pores and prevent future blackheads.
You Will Need
Mint toothpaste
Water
An ice cube
What You Have To Do
1. Apply some toothpaste on your nose and let it dry for five minutes.
2. Now, apply a few drops of water and massage in circular motions for a few minutes.
3. Rinse with water and rub an ice cube over the area.
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat this every day.
Best Suited For
All skin types
Caution
Make sure to moisturize your skin well after using this remedy.
23. Apple Cider Vinegar
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ACV is a multipurpose and potent solution that can be used to treat a number of skin issues. Its antibacterial properties will kill all harmful bacteria present on your skin. It will also clean out your pores and lessen blackheads.
You Will Need
A few drops of apple cider vinegar
Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
1. With the help of the cotton ball, apply apple cider vinegar on your face and let it dry.
2. Rinse your face with warm water.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this every day to get rid of all skin-related problems.
Best Suited For
All skin types
Caution
If you have sensitive skin, dilute apple cider vinegar with an equal quantity of water.
24. Steaming Your Face
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The hotness of the steam opens up the clogged pores, and when this is followed by the exfoliator, you can easily scrub off the blackheads and whiteheads. Face steaming also removes toxins and improves circulation. This is one of the simplest and best home remedies for blackheads.
You Will Need
Hot water
A small tub
A towel
What You Have To Do
1. Pour hot water into the tub. Cover your head with the towel so that no steam can escape out.
2. Steam your face for one to two minutes. Repeat three to four times.
3. Follow with a natural exfoliator like brown sugar or sea salt.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this twice or thrice a week.
Best Suited For
All skin types
Now that you know how to get rid of blackheads naturally, what are you waiting for? Read on to know how you can manage your diet to prevent blackheads. We have also answered some of the most common doubts regarding blackheads.
Foods To Eat And Avoid To Eliminate Blackheads
To prevent blackheads, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Include a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables in your diet to keep your skin healthy and prevent blackheads. Include the following in your diet for a healthy and blackheads-free skin:
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Berries like strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, and blueberries
Vitamin C-rich fruits like apple, papaya, pineapple, and citrus fruits
Tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli
Green leafy vegetables like spinach, collards, turnip greens, and mustard greens
The following food items are best avoided if you suffer from blackheads frequently:
Chocolate
Nuts
Eggs
Avocado
Ripe mangoes
Shellfish
Milk and dairy products like cheese
Fried and fatty foods
Cut down on smoking, drinking alcohol, and caffeinated drinks as these can also cause blackheads.
Expert’s Answers To Readers’ Questions
Do pore strips remove blackheads?
Pore strips are usually applied to the nose, where blackheads are most commonly found. They are supposed to attach to the blackheads and remove them when pulled out. But, this is not an effective method as all blackheads do not lie right on the surface of the skin. It is not possible for the pore strip to adhere to the blackhead when it is present below the skin surface. Hence, pore strips would not work that effectively by removing all your blackheads.
Why do we get blackheads?
Blackheads are a type of acne that commonly appears on the face and nose. However, they can also appear on the chest, arms, back, and shoulders.
When a clog or plug develops in the opening of hair follicles (that contain one hair and a sebaceous gland that secretes an oil called sebum), blackheads appear. The sebum helps to keep the skin soft and moisturized. Dead skin cells and oils accumulate in the opening of the skin follicles, producing a bump called comedones. If the skin over the bump opens, exposure to the air makes it look black, hence the name blackhead. Blackheads are slightly raised but are not painful like pimples.
You must be curious to know why blackheads occur frequently. Here are some factors that increase the chance of developing acne and blackheads on the skin.
When the skin secretes excess body oil.
Build up of Propionibacterium acnes on the skin.
Irritation of the hair follicles when the dead skin cells are not shed on a regular basis.
When there are hormonal changes in the body, the skin produces excess oil or sebum. Sometimes, the skin releases excess sebum during menstruation, and while taking birth control pills.
Some blackheads can occur due to a reaction from drugs like corticosteroids, lithium, and androgens.
Stress can also cause blackheads.
Sometimes, genetics can cause frequent blackheads.
If your face is not clean, it can lead to blackheads.
Certain cosmetics contain a few chemicals that can react with the skin and cause blackheads.
What happens if you leave a blackhead alone?
Blackheads do not go away on their own. If you do not get rid of them, they might become bigger and leave marks on your skin that look like tiny craters.
Does squeezing a blackhead enlarge/damage a pore or relieve it?
There is always a dilemma – should I squeeze out the blackhead or not? Even though you might prefer squeezing out the sebum and relieving the pressure, don’t! Squeezing might increase the chances of infecting that skin pore or leaving a scar on your skin. Use homemade packs and scrubs to naturally relieve the pressure and remove blackheads.
If you still wish to squeeze out the oil and impurities, please do so under the proper guidance or with professional help. Sometimes, the blackheads might be too adamant, and natural methods might not work. Visit a beautician who is trained and can remove the blackheads. If your problem persists, visit a dermatologist.
Hygiene plays an important role in maintaining the health of our skin, which is most exposed to dust and germs. Wash your face twice a day, especially soon after you return home from outdoors. Avoid the use of harsh cleansers. Be gentle on your skin. Otherwise, it may overreact and secrete more oil, which will bring back your blackheads much faster.
I hope you find this post useful. Write to us in the comment box below if you have any suggestions. Do come back for more tips on health and skin care.
Cheers!
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