9 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Stubborn Blackheads

Acne of any kind is annoying but blackheads take the special spot on the list of skin-enemies because those pesky little black monsters keep showing up again and again. Getting rid of stubborn blackheads altogether can be quite a task! Bear in mind that squeezing them with your fingers just won’t do it.

If you’re looking for a permanent blackhead-busting solution, look no further! Read on to learn some quick and easy steps with no harmful chemicals, clinical treatments or expensive products.

What causes blackheads in the first place?

The skin has tiny holes called pores through which natural oil is deposited onto the skin’s surface. When these pores get clogged with dirt, dead skin cells and excess oil, blackheads are formed. The pores become stretched exposing the plug of impurities to form dark little bumps – literally ‘black-heads’.

Why do blackheads keep coming back?

Removing blackheads is only a temporary solution because without a proper and regular skin care routine, the pores are going to eventually get clogged again. It’s only obvious that blackheads will keep coming back over and over again. Keeping blackheads away for good is a constant process of maintaining your skin hygiene and ensuring that pores remain clean all the time.

What are the easy ways to get rid of blackheads forever?

1. Charcoal soap cleanse

Regular cleansing is essential to get rid of sweat, grime, excess oil, makeup and dead skin cells on the skin – the ingredients that make up blackheads. A charcoal soap is great for those who have acne-prone skin. It contains activated charcoal that has the ability to pull out and absorb dirt and grime that settles on the skin. Cleanse twice every day to keep your skin and pores clean.

Most cleansers for acne-prone skin do a great job of cleansing but they also strip away the natural oils of the skin. This makes it dry and prone to irritation and inflammation. This is where charcoal soaps work their charm- they provide you the deep cleanse without drying out your skin!

2. Oil cleanse

The thing about blackheads is that they’re more common in people with oily skin type. So this method of blackhead-busting might seem counterintuitive but it works nonetheless! Oil dissolves oil and helps remove the dirt from the skin.

You can choose from a wide range of botanical oils like jojoba, sweet almond, tea tree, argan, rosehip or clary sage oil. Simply take a few drops of oil and gently massage it on the face for a couple of minutes. Dampen a towel with warm water and use it to wipe it away. The oil will bring along with the excess oil from the skin and impurities that otherwise tend to settle in the pores.

3. Rose water toner

Enlarged pores have a greater tendency to become home to blackheads and other forms of acne. Rose water has mild astringent properties that help reduce the pore size. In addition, it also regulates the natural oil production in the skin cells thereby helping you achieve oil control. No excess oil means lower chances of blackheads showing up again.

To top that, rose water has antibacterial properties that prevent the blackheads from getting infected with harmful bacteria. It also has strong anti-inflammatory properties that pacify the skin and prevent irritation, redness and itching.

4. Konjac sponge exfoliator

This is a gentle but powerful blackhead extractor that is plant-based, simple and affordable. The soft fibers remove dead skin cells that accumulate in the pores to give the skin a smooth and even texture. Additionally, this sponge stimulates the skin to regenerate and produce new cells to improve complexion and make the skin radiant.

Since konjac sponges are delicate with the skin, they can be used every day for gentle exfoliation, provided your skin isn’t sensitive.

5. Steam treatment

This is a blackhead remover you must try for its sheer simplicity. The best part? You actually use no products or ingredients here! Just plain and good old water to your skin’s rescue.

Heat up some water in a big bowl and when it starts steaming, turn off the heat. Place your head over the bowl at a safe distance such that the steam hits your face. Use a heavy towel to trap in the steam.

Steam helps soften and dislodge the blackheads which then become easy to extract with a mild sponge. Combine steaming with a konjac sponge to get rid of those annoying blackheads more effectively. It’s best to use this method only once a week and to be as cautious as possible lest you scar yourself! 

6. Clay mask

Use a bentonite clay mask once a week to exfoliate your skin. Clay not only absorbs the excess oil but also attracts impurities and brings them to the skin’s surface as the mask dries on the skin. Use this in combination with an oil cleanse to get complete blackhead removal.

7. Change sheets regularly

It might’ve never really occurred to you but your dirty bed sheets and pillowcases might actually be the main cause for your blackheads! While it may not always be visible, your skin sheds dead cells regularly. These, along with dust from the air and the excess oils and dirt from your skin, accumulate on your sheets.

While sleeping, your skin is in constant contact with the sheets and therefore the impurities on them. So even if you’re regularly cleansing your face but going lazy on changing your sheets, you’re going to get back those blackheads! Change your sheets, especially pillow covers once every week.

8. Green tea mask

Rich in polyphenols, green tea has the ability to help regulate the natural oil produced by the skin. Oil control automatically means blackhead reduction. Besides that, green tea also provides a number of skin benefits like skin brightening and improving moisture retention.

For this mask, let a green tea bag steep in hot water for 20 minutes. Open up the bag and add 1tbsp of honey to the damp leaves. Apply this mix on the face and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

9. Turmeric mask

Turmeric has been a staple skincare ingredient for generations in India and other Asian countries. It has deep cleansing, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties- an excellent mix for a simple solution to blackheads. Turmeric also helps fade scars, another issue common with acne-prone skin, to give the skin an even tone.

Make a paste of 1tbsp turmeric powder with 1tbsp milk or honey. Paint this paste as a mask on the face and let it dry for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Professional Options for Blackhead Removal

Blackhead Extractor Tools

If you are not satisfied with the results, you’re getting from following the above-mentioned ways, here are four professional options you can consider especially if you’re experiencing severe pain and swelling:

Professional extraction – Using an extractor tool, your dermatologist will remove the blackhead after making a small hole in the clogged pore.

Microdermabrasion – Unlike over-the-counter options such as scrubs, microdermabrasion offers deeper exfoliation. Using a crystal-emitting handpiece, fine crystals are sprayed onto the skin. This handpiece will scrub and suction off the dead skin and exfoliate more sensitive areas just like the eyes. This option can also reduce enlarged pores, if there are any.

Chemical peels – Chemical peels can reduce blackheads and the top layer of skin. Keep in mind that using chemical peels can expose your skin to sunburn so might as well consider using sunscreen for extra precaution.

Laser therapy – This professional option is used most especially when other treatments does not suffice. Photo pneumatic therapy is a procedure wherein there is a combination of light lasers and hand-held vacuum in removing the deep blackheads.

Tips for Prevention

Removing blackheads efficiently and safely will indeed take time. But you don’t have to worry for the following are tips for preventing these blackheads from coming back:

The magic of noncomedogenic products – The word noncomedogenic means “no-pore-clogging” and products such as these are suitable for those who have oily and acne-prone skin. 

Remove makeup before bed – One of the golden rules in a skincare regimen is to remove makeup before going to bed. 

Washing of hair regularly – To prevent blackheads, regular wash your hair. This is because the remnants of dirt and oil on your hair can get on your face and can clog your pores.

Clean hands – To minimize dirt and oil transfer, it is necessary to always have clean hands, and especially nails.

Consider using salicylic acid – It is best to use salicylic acid because this dries out the dead skin, which decreases the chances of blackheads. If you opt to use this, best results would be obtained when used with a face wash, toner and/or moisturizer.

Ask your dermatologist for prescribed retinoids – Retinoids, derivatives of vitamin A, are usually recommended for inflammatory acne. But actually, retinoids can also reduce help control excess oils.

Eat a balanced diet – Green and yellow vegetables and fruits can promote overall skin health and can also reduce the chances of blackheads. Also, drinking plenty of water balances the production of sebum and aid in skin cell turnover. 

Avoid over usage – Combining various acne-treating products such as salicylic acid, sulfur, and benzoyl peroxide will not help at all. Instead, these will increase the chances of having more blackheads.

Conclusion

If you think removing blackheads will be impossible, well in this article, we were able to impart ways to get rid of these. Certainly, all of these ways and tips for prevention will aid in the reduction of stubborn blackheads. If you’re not satisfied with the results you’re getting, you may opt to visit a professional and/or choose any professional options available.