6 Homemade Recipes to Get Rid of Blackheads

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If you have blackheads, you know how difficult it is to get rid of them. It seems that no matter what you do, those annoying little blackheads keep coming back. If you have this problem, read on for some easy, homemade solutions that will help you get rid of blackheads.

What Are Blackheads?

Blackheads are the accumulation of dead cells, sebum, and sweat. The sebum takes on its black color when it comes in contact with bacteria and oxygen in the environment. It's very similar to what happens to an apple or an avocado once you cut them open: they start to turn black as soon as they come in contact with oxygen. The same thing happens to the sebum stuck in our pores. The top of the sebum becomes black, and then you're stuck with a new blackhead.

Where Do They Appear?

Blackheads can occur anywhere on the body, but they are more likely to appear where the body secretes more oil, such as the nose, cheekbones, chin, and forehead.

Blackhead Prevention

The most efficient way to prevent blackheads from appearing is having a good cleansing routine. Wash your face every night, preferably with a cleanser that contains 2% salicylic acid, and follow up with a good facial toner.

Also remember to exfoliate your face at least once a week. This will eliminate dead skin cells and dirt. For exfoliating, I like to use an exfoliating brush and glycerin soap. However, you can also prepare your own homemade exfoliator.

The simplest one is to combine lemon juice and sugar. But if you want a more gentle homemade exfoliator, try combining either ground almonds or brown sugar with either yogurt or the oil of your choice (olive and almond oil are my usual choices).

How to Get Rid of Ones You Have

If you already have blackheads here are a few ideas you can use to get rid of them naturally and with ingredients you probably already have at home.

Steam Baths

Steams baths open up your pores to make it easier for you to extract the dirt. Here's the procedure.

Things You'll Need

• a pot
• water
• chamomile
• rosemary

Directions

1. Fill the pot with water, add the rosemary and chamomile, and let it boil. Once the water is bubbling, turn off the heat, and let it cool off for 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Remove the pot from the heat, and place it on a table where it will be easy for you to reach.
3. Grab a towel large enough to cover your head.
4. Place your face over the pot, and cover your head with the towel to keep the steam in. (Be careful not to burn your face. If the steam is too hot, remove your face from the steam, wait a few seconds, and try it again.)
5. Keep your face over the pot for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Now it's time for you to squeeze those blackheads out. Since your pores will be so dilated after the steam bath, removing the blackheads will be super easy.

Note: Don't use your bare nails to squeeze the blackheads out. We carry lots of bacteria under our nails. If the bacteria comes in contact with an open pore, it could cause an infection or more blackheads. Instead, use a blackhead remover tool or cover your nails with tissue paper to avoid direct contact with your skin.

After you're done squeezing, rub an ice cube all over your face to close your pores and apply skin toner.

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Masks to Open Your Pores

Here are a few easy masks to help open your pores.

Grape Juice Mask

1. Apply natural grape juice to the affected area with a cotton ball.
2. Leave on for 15 minutes and squeeze.

Yogurt Mask

1. Mix unsweetened yogurt, a few drops of lemon juice, and a few drops of vinegar together.
2. Apply as a face mask.
3. Leave on for 15 minutes and squeeze.

Hot Towel Method

This is similar to the steam bath, but without the steam.

Directions

1. Wash your face.
2. Place a clean towel in a pot with water and let it boil.
3. Place the hot towel on your face. Be careful! Only you know how much heat you will be able to tolerate.
4. Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Exfoliate face with a mixture of lemon juice and sugar.
6. Rinse.

Gelatin Skin Mask to Extract Blackheads

Instead of using the common pharmacy products or blackhead strips, you can make your own mask to pull out those annoying blackheads.

What You'll Need

• 2 tablespoons of unflavored gelatin
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• glass bowl

Directions

1. Mix the ingredients together in the glass bowl.
2. Warm up the mixture by placing it in boiling water for a few minutes, until it feels warm to the touch.
3. Mix again.
4. Apply to face.
5. Let it cool. The mask will start forming a thin film over your face. This will usually take 20 to 25 minutes.
6. Remove the film carefully, pulling upward.

Look at how many blackheads are stuck to that film!

Alternative Gelatin Mask

Here's another version of the gelatin mask. Follow the same procedure as above, but with these ingredients instead:

• 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
• 1/2 tablespoon honey
• 3 tablespoons unflavored gelatin

Note: This mask may irritate your face! So don't try it right before a big event.

Tomato Method

This is by far the simplest of the methods listed, and it will help you prevent and get rid of blackheads.

Directions:

1. Cut a tomato in half.
2. Apply the tomato to the affected zone.
3. Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Rinse with warm water.
5. Repeat two to three times a week.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.