Anyone can get blackheads, no matter how old they are. However, these pesky little things tend to become an issue during adolescent and teenage years. Blackheads are small black bumps that form when a hair follicle gets clogged due to excess sebum, dirt, dead skin cells, and other impurities. The bumps turn color and become black due to oxidation, that happens when clogged and blocked pores are exposed to air.
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Causes for blackheads
Some of the most common causes for blackheads are:
- Inadequate skin care
- Stress
- Overuse of cosmetic products
- Hormonal changes
- Heredity
Blackheads are most commonly found on the face, especially on the nose. They are also found on the back, neck, arms, shoulders, and chest. If blackheads are not treated in a timely manner, they can then turn into acne breakouts.
Home remedies for blackheads
Sure, there are several creams and lotions and masks and strips available in the market. However, these natural home remedies for blackheads are quite effective in getting rid of these pesky little things from your skin altogether.
1. Baking soda
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Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, which helps get rid of blackheads, along with any acne you might have. It helps exfoliate your skin and gets rid of excess sebum, dirt, grime, and other impurities that cause acne and blackheads.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, make a paste using 2 teaspoons of baking soda and enough water. Apply this paste liberally on the affected skin and massage gently. Let it dry for a few minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy twice a week to get rid of blackheads.
2. Cinnamon
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Cinnamon is another amazing ingredient with helps treat blackheads effectively.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and honey to form a smooth paste. Use this on the affected areas, massaging it into your skin using circular motions. Do this before going to bed, for about 5 minutes. Let it stay overnight, washing it off the following morning with plain water. Follow this remedy every day for two weeks for best results.
- Add enough lemon juice to 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of turmeric powder to form a smooth paste. Smear this on the affected areas, leaving it on for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy thrice a week for desired results.
3. Cornmeal
Cornmeal is granular enough to make a nice scrub, which helps cleanse the pores and unclog them of all dirt and grime.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, add 1 tablespoon of cornmeal to enough milk to form a smooth paste. Apply this on your freshly steamed face, gently massaging it into your skin using your fingertips in circular motions. Focus your energies on the affected areas. Do this for 5 minutes. Then, leave it on for 15 minutes more, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy thrice a week for positive results.
4. Egg white
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Egg white is rich in protein and albumin, which tone your skin, while also helping smooth out any wrinkles and fine lines. Additionally, it also helps tighten the pores on your skin, thereby getting rid of blackheads and oily skin.
Remedy
- Separate 1 egg and collect the white in a clean bowl. Whisk this till it’s frothy and resembles a fluffy white cloud. Apply a thin layer of this on your face, focusing on the affected areas. Now place a facial tissue over it, gently but firmly pressing it into your skin. Let it dry fully. Then, add another layer of egg white over the dried tissue, and allow this to dry as well. Peel off the tissue once it’s dried completely. Now rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel. Apply a mild moisturizer to help seal in the moisture.
5. Epsom salt
Epsom salt is also another natural ingredient which helps get rid of blackheads.
Remedy
- Add 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt and a few drops of iodine to a bit of hot water. Let the salt dissolve completely and let it cool to room temperature. Using a cotton ball, apply this on the affected areas, leaving it on for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
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6. Fenugreek
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Fenugreek is one of the easiest, most natural and effective home remedies for blackheads.
Remedy
- Add a handful of fenugreek leaves and enough water into a food processor to make a smooth, thick paste. Slather this on your face and neck, focusing on the affected areas. Let it air dry for about 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy every day for a few weeks for positive results.
7. Green tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants that are highly beneficial for your skin, while also being helpful in treating blackheads by cleansing oily skin and unclogging pores.
Remedy
- Add 1 teaspoon of dry green tea leaves into a bit of water to make a paste. Use this paste to scrub the affected areas for a few minutes. Leave it on for 10 more minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water.
8. Honey
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Honey is good for oily skin as well as treating blackheads. It moisturizes, hydrates, and nourishes your skin, while also helping tighten the pores, improving your complexion.
Remedy
- Take some honey and apply it on your face and neck generously. Let it stay for about 10 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy every day for a few weeks to see positive results.
9. Lemon juice
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Lemon juice contains citric acid and vitamin C, and anti-bacterial properties too. All these together help get rid of blackheads and acne effectively.
Remedies
- Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to equal amounts of milk or rosewater to create a face cleanser. Use this to cleanse your face a few times a week, and you’ll see a visible decrease in the appearance of blackheads.
- In a clean bowl, extract the juice from half a lemon and add a few drops of honey and mix well. Now add a bit of sugar to this. Use this on your face and gently scrub away the dead skin cells and the blackheads. Do this for 5 minutes. Then, leave it on for 10 more minutes, before washing it off with cool water. Use this remedy twice a week for desired results.
10. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is an excellent exfoliating agent, which helps get rid of dead skin cells, excess sebum, and other impurities from your skin. It helps get rid of blackheads too.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, add 1 teaspoon of honey and the juice from 4 small tomatoes to sufficient ground oatmeal to form a smooth paste. Slather this on your face and neck, scrubbing your skin with this for 5 minutes. Focus on areas where blackheads are more in number. Let it sit for 15 minutes more, before washing it off with plain water.
- Add 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt, half a teaspoon each of lemon juice and olive oil to 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal. Mix all of the ingredients well to form a smooth paste. Smear this on your face and neck, scrubbing on the affected areas for a few minutes. Let it stay for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with plain water. Repeat this remedy twice a week for positive results.
11. Sugar
Sugar is an excellent natural scrub, which helps get rid of blackheads by removing dead skin cells, excess oil, and other impurities from your skin.
Remedy
- To 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, add a few drops of jojoba oil and mix well. Use this to scrub your face with your fingertips in circular motions, focusing on the affected areas. Do this for 5 minutes. Then, let it stay for 10 minutes more, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy twice a week for desired results.
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12. Turmeric
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Turmeric is amazing in helping treat blackheads effectively, thanks to its anti-bacterial properties.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon each of sandalwood powder and turmeric powder with enough milk to form a smooth paste. Slather this on the affected areas, leaving it on for 15 minutes more, before rinsing it off with plain water. Repeat this remedy thrice a week for positive results.
- Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to 2 tablespoons of mint juice and mix well to form a smooth paste. Apply this on the affected areas, letting it air dry for a 15 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy thrice a week for desired results.
These are all the amazing home remedies for blackheads that you need to get rid of them. For more updates on skin care, beauty secrets, and makeup tips, subscribe to our newsletter today!
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