Whether you have oily, normal, or dry skin, you may experience breakouts and blackheads and you may be wondering how to get rid of blackheads.
The cosmetic section of the stores has shelves full of blackhead-removing products; however, the blackheads come back after some time. It’s because we don’t understand the underlying cause of blackheads; instead, all we want is to get rid of them.
Luckily for you, this article presents an in-depth guide on how to get rid of blackheads in the long term by adopting a healthy skin care routine. Not only that, you’ll learn some home remedies to get rid of blackheads on nose and face.
Blackheads on Nose and Face
Before learning about methods on how to get rid of deep blackheads, let’s first briefly discuss blackheads on face and what causes them. These are essentially the impurities that clog the pores on the skin surfaces. The pores are responsible for sebum, the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands, and other perspiration to escape the skin.
However, these pores can get clogged by dirt, pollution, sebum, dead skin cells, and other impurities that form a black or a white spot on the skin. These spots are commonly known as comedones.
Furthermore, you see blackheads appearing on the T-zone or the part of the skin which is oilier such as the forehead, nose, skin, and cheeks.
Some other factors make the pores clogged too, such as:
- Hormonal changes caused by events like puberty and ovulation trigger sebaceous glands to produce more sebum.
- Cosmetic products: Many cosmetic products, if not chosen or used correctly, block the ducts and pores, leading to the accumulation of sebum.
- Poor diet: If you eat food rich in sugar or fat, it may lead to the overproduction of sebum that clogs the pores.
- Oily skin: If you have oily skin and enlarged pores, the sebaceous glands produce more sebum as compared with dry skin.
People usually have two types of comedones on the skin – the open comedones are the blackheads, while the closed ones are the whiteheads.
The common thing between them is the sebum buildup because of a clogged pore; however, the buildup in the blackhead gets in contact with the air and oxidizes, leading to the appearance of black spots on the skin.
Conversely, a whitehead is a closed comedone because a thin layer of skin covers it and doesn’t let the air get in contact with the buildup.
Effective Ways to Get Rid of Blackheads
The good news is you can remove blackheads at home using the right products. For instance, pore strips remove the blackheads while being gentle and soft on the skin. Moreover, these strips don’t traumatize the skin or cause more scarring or inflammation.
Similarly, you should follow a skin care regimen that includes the use of cleanser, exfoliator, and moisturizer to prevent blackheads. Read along to learn how to get rid of blackheads using the correct skin care products.
Proper Use of Salicylic Acid
While buying over-the-counter cleansers, you should ensure the ingredients include salicylic acid instead of benzoyl peroxide. It’s because benzoyl peroxide isn’t proven to be effective in treating all kinds of acne. For example, it may aid in reducing swelling caused by inflammatory acne, but blackheads aren’t inflammatory.
That’s why salicylic acid is one of the preferred ingredients to treat white and blackheads. It assists in breaking down the material responsible for clogging the pores, such as dead skin cells and excess oil.
Additionally, it’s quite effective in removing the daily dirt, oil, and makeup from your face. However, you must wash your face before applying the cleanser. Moreover, it’s better to start using the cleanser with salicylic acid once a day and later increase the application to both the morning and night skin care routine.
You should do a patch test before applying it to your entire face, as some people are relatively more sensitive to salicylic acid.
In addition to the cleansers, you can also buy toners and astringents containing salicylic acids. Moreover, different serums and moisturizers also include salicylic acid. However, you should use only one product that contains salicylic acid during your skin care routine; or else, you’ll end up drying up the cheeks making the pores more prominent.
Skin Exfoliation Using AHAs and BHAs
Exfoliation is an integral part of a daily skin care regimen to remove dead skin cells from the face. However, it’s a misconception that exfoliation has a negative effect on acne, breakouts, and blackheads. Instead, regular exfoliation helps remove the accumulated dead skin cells from the clogged pores, leading to blackheads.
You don’t need to overdo exfoliation by using harsh scrubs; instead, buy alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs). For instance, Glycolic acid and lactic acid are well-known sources for AHA, while salicylic acid is a leading BHA that is oil-soluble.
The primary functionality of AHA and BHA are the same – to remove the upper layer of skin. Theoretically speaking, they also aid in minimizing aging signs, such as wrinkles and fine lines. Moreover, AHA and BHA effectively clean the pores, thus leading to soft and supple skin.
These acids not only assist in removing dead skin cells but also prepare the skin to absorb the other skin care products, such as serum and moisturizer.
Since AHAs and BHAs remove the upper skin layer, they make the skin vulnerable to harmful UV rays. Therefore, you should always wear SPF before going outside.
Careful Selection of a Skin Brush
A gentle skin brush offers a similar exfoliating effect on the skin as AHA and BHA by removing the dead skin cells. However, you should occasionally use a knelt and soft cleaning brush with a cleansing wash.
Furthermore, you shouldn’t use a skin brush if you have sensitive skin.
Using Vitamin C
As discussed earlier with how to get rid of blackheads, blackheads on face are formed when the buildup oil oxidizes when in contact with air. The antioxidant properties make Vitamin C to be highly effective in clearing blackheads. You can use good-quality Vitamin C serums during the day and night skin care regimen.
Correct Way of Using Topical Retinoids
One of the most effective ways to unclog the pores is by incorporating retinoids in your daily skin care routine. Research shows that topical retinoids, which vitamin A derivatives, are proven to be effective in treating acne and deep cleaning the hair follicle in the pores.
Furthermore, retinol can aid in enhancing skin cell turnover, skin texture by minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
However, pregnant women should avoid retinol because an excessive amount of retinol may interfere with the fetus’s development. Instead, if you are pregnant, you can opt for rosehip oil because of its similar effects on the skin like retinol.
Using Clay or Charcoal Mask
clay masks remove excessive oil and other toxins from the skin, making them a must-have for people with oily skin. Clay has been used as a skin care product since ancient times because of its exfoliating properties.
You can check the ingredients of the clay mask. For instance, sulfur in the clay masks can help break down the dead skin cells that lead to blackheads on nose. In addition, the masks containing kaolin clay offer a cooling effect to the skin.
To exfoliate the skin, you can also use the Rose Clay Mask containing aloe vera, Moroccan rose clay, and organic rosemary extract.
In addition to clay masks, charcoal masks are a great addition to your skin care routine and help remove impurities, dirt, debris, and excess oil from the skin that makes it look dull. Charcoal comes with unique detoxifying properties to deep clean the pores and helps in removing the dirt.
It’s safe to use the clay mask once a week in addition to your regular exfoliation. Additionally, these masks offer a mattifying effect by removing the excess oil and dirt. Finally, regular use of masks makes the pores look smaller.
How to Get Rid of Blackheads Using Home Remedies
The good news is you can use ingredients from your kitchen to prevent and get rid of blackheads on your nose and face.
Using Lemon Mask
Lemon is rich in citric acid with antiseptic properties to enhance skin cell renewal. Furthermore, lemon is proven to be quite effective in reducing excessive sebum. That’s why you can use lemon juice as a natural cleaner to purify and heal your skin.
All you need to do is pour a few drops of lemon juice on a cotton ball and dab it on the skin without rubbing too hard. Next, you can leave the lemon juice on the skin to dry and then wash with water.
Use of Baking Soda
Baking soda offers disinfectant properties, while lemon juice removes excessive sebum—both the ingredients, when combined, help in fighting blackheads on face. You can take one teaspoon of baking soda and add a few drops of lemon juice to make a consistent paste.
Next, you can apply the paste on the affected areas of the face, such as the nose, forehead, and cheeks. You should let the paste sit on the skin for 15 minutes and rinse with cold water.
You can find good results if you use this treatment at least once a week.
Tomato Slices
Tomatoes offer disinfectant and descaling properties. All you need to do is to place tomato slices on your face for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse off the face using lukewarm water.
Egg White Mask
Unbeaten egg white, when brushed on the face, makes one of the most effective purifying masks. Moreover, egg white helps tighten the pores temporarily, thus minimizing the chances of future blackheads on the face.
You must cover the face with a tissue after applying a layer of egg white. You must wait till the first layer dries and then apply the second layer. Similarly, place the tissue paper after applying the next layer.
You can feel tightening on your skin when the mask dries. You must apply three to five layers and let the first layer dry completely before applying the next layer. Next, you can leave the mask until it solidifies. Lastly, peel the tissue papers and wash the face with clean water.
The egg white mask serves the multi-purpose of clearing, purifying, and sanitizing the skin. You can feel your skin smooth and supple, courtesy of the lifting properties of egg white.
Orange Peel Repairing Mask
Orange peel serves as a hydrating and repairing mask and is proven to be effective in fighting blackheads.
You can take a few orange peels and let them dry for 24 hours. Next, you can crush and blend them in the processor to form a powder. You can mix the powder with water to form a thick, consistent paste and apply the mask on the face using a face brush. Lastly, you can leave the mask for ten to 15 minutes before rinsing with water.
Antibacterial Honey and Powdered Milk Mask
We all know the health benefits of honey and milk. Milk comes with lactic acid that helps soften the skin, while honey is known for its antibacterial properties. Both of these ingredients are combined to fight acne-causing bacteria.
You can mix powdered milk in honey to form a paste and gently massage it on the face. Next, you can leave the mask on the skin for 15 minutes and rinse with cold water.
How to Get Rid of Black Heads Using a Comedone Extractor
You can conveniently buy a comedone extractor from the store to use at home; however, you should sterilize it by rubbing alcohol pads to prevent skin infection.
First, you can place a warm, damp cloth over the face for several minutes to open the pores. Conversely, you can also steam your face. Next, you can place the extractor loop around the blackhead and exert pressure till the buildup comes out. However, you should be careful while using the extractor and apply slow and even pressure until you remove all the blackheads.
Lastly, if the blackheads don’t come out, you don’t need to re-attempt as it may scar the skin.
How to Get Rid of Stubborn Black Heads
Deep blackheads are formed as a result of weeks, months, or even years of buildup in the pores, and sebum keeps on accumulating within the pores. That’s why it’s essential to remove the blackheads as early as possible; else, you may require professional treatment to extract them, such as micro needling and chemical peels.
Chemical Peels
Lucky for you, you can buy a chemical peel containing alpha-hydroxy acids to get rid of deep blackheads.
Furthermore, salicylic acids aid in removing the top-most layer of skin, thus promoting collagen regeneration and new skin cells.
Microdermabrasion
You can opt for the noninvasive cosmetic procedure known as microdermabrasion to eliminate the deep blackheads. The procedure is done using an abrasive tool or by spraying off fine crystals to exfoliate the skin. As a result, the process deep cleans the pores and removes the build-up, dirt, and dead skin cells.
Hydra Facial
Hydrafacial is an advanced facial technique that uses gentle suction to remove the trapped buildup, impurities, dirt, and debris while keeping the skin hydrated.
Light Therapy
As the name suggests, light therapy uses infrared light to control sebum production. The infrared light penetrates the skin to stimulate the cells and aid the reproduction of new cells.
How to Prevent Blackheads on Nose and Face
The best way to get rid of blackheads is to use a consistent skin care routine that includes good-quality face exfoliators and topical retinoids to prevent the pores from clogging.
Furthermore, you should use non-comedogenic skin care products such as cleansers, masks, and exfoliators. Noncomedogenic products mean they don’t clog pores or cause comedones.
We understand taking off makeup after a long tiring day seems to be an extremely tedious task. However, sleeping with makeup on causes blackheads and acne even if you use non-comedogenic makeup.
Moreover, you shouldn’t pick, scratch, or pop acne or blackheads at home as it often leads to redness and irritation.
It’s essential to keep the skin hydrated instead of drying out entirely while combating blackheads on face. You should ensure the right balance of moisture by using a water-based moisturizer to reduce the presence of dead skin cells.
Additionally, you can use the Daily Moisturizer to hydrate the skin with premium-quality ingredients such as sacha inchi peptides, algae extract, rosemary extract, and rosehip seed oil.
Lastly, drink plenty of water to improve your body and skin health.
Wash Your Face
It’s a universal fact that washing your face helps in preventing breakouts, acne, and blackheads. You should wash your face at least twice: once in the evening and once in the morning.
You don’t need to over-wash or over-cleanse the face as it removes the essential oil from the skin, as sebaceous glands overproduce the oil to compensate.
However, there is one exception in which you must wash your face, and that’s after exercise. Conversely, you can use a face cleansing wipe if you can’t wash. It’s because your sweat may get trapped in the pores in addition to the oil and dirt; that’s why it’s necessary to wash your face before sweat dries.
Proper Use of Pore Strips
You shouldn’t get tempted by the women in commercials effortlessly removing the blackheads using the pore strips. These strips remove the upper layer of skin; however, they don’t offer a permanent solution to remove the blackheads.
Furthermore, they can sometimes remove the essential sebum and hair follicles necessary for skin, leading to dryness and irritation.
You can maximize the efficiency of the pore strips by steaming the face to open the pores and then use the strips to remove the blackheads.
Opt for Oil-Free Sunscreen
We can’t emphasize enough that wearing sunscreen is absolutely necessary during the day regardless of your skin type. People with oily skin don’t need to worry as you can always buy oil-free sunscreens that block harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Know Your Skin
The best way to prevent blackheads is to follow a proper skin care regimen by selecting the skin products that suit your skin. That’s why you should determine your skin, whether it’s oily, dry, sensitive, or combination.
For instance, if you have oily skin, you can buy skin care products that tighten the pores. Conversely, dry skin requires more moisturization. Furthermore, you shouldn’t opt for products that contain alcohol, sulfates, and fragrances that may irritate sensitive skin.
What Not to Do While Removing Black Heads?
You should keep in view the following precautionary measures while removing blackheads:
- It’s recommended to opt for gentle exfoliation techniques to treat blackheads instead of using harsh and abrasive scrubs that can cause microtears in the skin. These microtears irritate the skin and make it even more sensitive.
- The pore vacuums temporarily remove the buildup but don’t prevent the blackheads from recurring. Moreover, the use of pore vacuums leads to broken blood vessels causing redness on the skin.
- Lastly, the facial cleansing brushes can’t reach keratin and sebum inside the pores, making it ineffective to treat blackheads on nose.
- You shouldn’t use self-tanners on your face if you want to get rid of blackheads on nose. It’s because self-tanners usually settle in preexisting blackheads on face, making them more prominent, or worse, they can clog the pores.
- Excess of everything is bad, and trying multiple skin care products at once can surely overwhelm your skin, leading to more blackheads on face.
- Many people tend to mistake extracting the pimple by exerting pressure on the spot; that’s unhygienic. In addition, you should never squeeze the skin to remove blackheads as it may lead to permanent scarring.
Final Thoughts
Improvement in the skin doesn’t happen overnight. You should know that any skin care routine, if appropriately followed, takes around six to 12 weeks to bring positive effects on your skin.
All you need to do is follow the skin care routine discussed above to prevent breakouts and blackheads on face. However, you need to consult a dermatologist or a professional to extract deep blackheads.
When it comes to the question of how to get rid of blackheads, just remember blackheads on nose and face are common. However, you can treat them easily using the right skin care products, such as our Exfoliating Facial Cleanser that contain top-quality ingredients like lemon, orange, and apple extract.
