Updated date:

Nov 16, 2019

How to Use Oatmeal and Yogurt to Remove Blackheads

Author:

I have worked as a beauty therapist, a freelance makeup artist, and a retail store manager for a fashion, beauty, and crafts store.

Oatmeal and yogurt are great ingredients for the skin. They may be used separately or together in various recipes.
ahmet guler, via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Blackheads are something very few of us avoid, unfortunately. Using a natural chemical-free oatmeal and yogurt-based product is quick and easy to make in our own kitchens. Using store-bought cosmetics does not have to be the answer to blackhead problems which will often contain preservatives and toxins.

The health benefits of these ingredients are well known and when combined together with a few additional natural store cupboard favorites, make a powerful blackhead removing face mask which also gently exfoliates the skin revealing fresh new glowing skin. Let's take a look at the skin benefits of oatmeal and yogurt followed by two recipes.

The first is an excellent blackhead remover and gentle skin exfoliator. The second is an antibacterial busting face mask perfect for oily or acne-prone skin.

Blackheads are commonly found on the nose, chin and cheek areas. This picture shows them on a 14-year-old male.
Elecbullet, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What Are Blackheads?

Known as open comedones, blackheads are the result of blocked pores in a nutshell.
A build-up of sebum or oil in the sebaceous glands duct causes a blockage that oxidizes when it is mixed with the air.
Clogged hair follicles, where blackheads will often appear, reflect light naturally which gives the blackhead the “black” appearance.
When blackheads are extracted they will often appear more yellow to brown in color due to their high melanin content.
The most common areas for blackheads to form are on the face and back, particularly on acne-prone skin.
The main areas on the face are around the nose, chin, and jawline, beside ears and on cheeks.
These little black specks that we have the urge to squeeze away as they are unsightly nuisances, should never be squeezed no matter how tempting it is. If you do, you risk spreading bacteria to other parts of the face and permanent scarring of the skin.

Making your own yogurt is very doable.
Mom the Barbarian, CC BY 2.0, via flickr

1. Oatmeal and Yogurt Blackhead Buster

Ingredients:

2 tbsp oatmeal
3 tbsp natural yogurt
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice

Items Needed:

Bowl
Spoon/spatula

Method:

Mix the oatmeal and yogurt together in your bowl.
Add the olive oil and lemon juice to the mixture and combine all the ingredients well.

To Apply:

Keep the hair off the face with a hairband or shower cap.
Cleanse the skin in your normal way making sure all traces of makeup are removed.
Slightly dampen the skin.
Apply the blackhead buster mask with clean hands to the face, forehead and neck avoiding the eye area. Massage in with small circular movements for a few minutes. You can use a facial brush for this if you prefer.
Leave the mask on for 15 minutes and remove it with cold water. This helps to close the pores.
Pat the skin dry.
Apply your normal face moisturizer.

Tips:

This is ideally applied after a shower when the skin is warm and the pores are open.
A natural scrub that helps removes the dead skin cells and keeps the pores clear of blackheads is tomato and sugar scrub. Run out of moisturizer?
No need to do a midnight run to the 24-hr. drugstore; try olive oil, the multi-purpose wonder product for the skin.

Oatmeal is also known as porridge or white oats.
Bill Ebbesen, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

2. Oatmeal, Parsley, Essential Oil and Egg-White Blackhead Mask

This mask is particularly recommended for acne-prone skin or oily skin with blackheads.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp Rolled Oats
2 tbsp Dried Parsley (or use 4 tbsp fresh parsley leaves)
1 Egg White
5 Drops Essential Oil of choice (optional)
½ Cup of Water

Items Needed:

Small Saucepan
Bowl
Blender or Coffee Grinder
Sieve

Method:

Add the water to the saucepan and bring to the boil over medium-high heat. Add the dried or fresh parsley; remove from the heat and cover. Leave standing for at least 10 minutes.
While the parsley tea is steeping, place the rolled oats in the blender or coffee grinder and turn to a medium setting. Turn off when you have a coarse powder-like texture.
Add the coarse powder to the mixing bowl and put to one side.
Strain the dried parsley from the liquid and discard the used parsley leaves.
Add 2 tbsp of the “parsley tea” to the oatmeal and mix well until you have a thick paste-like consistency.
Stir in the egg white and essential oil if using. The best essential oils to use are those that are particularly beneficial to acne-prone skin such as Tea Tree, Lavender, Bergamot, Cypress, Clary-Sage or Lemongrass.
Omit the Essential Oil if you have sensitive skin.

To Apply:

Keep hair off the face with a hairband or shower cap.
Applying to a cleansed skin spread the mask all over the face, forehead and neck avoiding the eye area.
Leave for 15-20 minutes and remove with tepid water. Finish with a rinse of cold water and pat the skin dry.
Apply your regular moisturizer.

Substitutes:

You may use 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice in place of parsley if you don’t have any.

Oatmeal Benefits

Treats blackheads
Treats whiteheads
Soothes chickenpox itching and pain
Treats Eczema
Cleanser
Moisturizer
Exfoliator
Acne treatment
Anti-inflammatory
Soothes sunburn
Reduces skin irritations
Relieves itchy skin

A spoonful of natural goodness for your skin.
Master isolated images, via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Yogurt Skin Benefits

Anti-Fungal
Antibacterial
Lightens Age Spots
Cleansing properties
Restores Skin Natural Balance
Skin Softener
Sunburn
Treats acne
Treats eczema

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.

Comments

tanya lee on September 12, 2017:

I love trying different face masks! The best one I have tried is the Citrus Clear Pore & Blackhead Mask. Its great for blackheads, pore shrinking, and anti aging. It has a cool tingly feeling to it when applied and the smell is nice too. This dries in about 20 mins depening how thick u put it on. The mask does have great suction to it. My face seems softer after using it.

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on June 15, 2015:

Suzie, this is very useful to me, since I had some on my chest and use Neutrogena. I would keep this in mind, even and when they return. Voted up!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on July 21, 2013:

Hi Vespa,

Thanks for dropping in on this one! Great to hear your success with yogurt and oatmeal as a cleanser and that it works better than your regular one!! It has been quite a journey too for me and cannot see me reverting to my branded skin care even if money was not an issue. Same goes for our shopping with so many amazing cheaper alternatives out there that are just as good, why spend double or triple the price for a similar product in a more expensive store? Cheers so much for your support and it means a great deal knowing your enthusiasm for using everyday ingredients!

Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on July 20, 2013:

I didn't know that parsley is good for acne prone skin, but I'd like to try it. I especially appreciate the recipe using yogurt and oatmeal since we always have them around the house. In the past couple of months, I have been using yogurt and/or cooked oatmeal to cleanse my skin and have found it does a vastly better job than the Cetaphil I had been using most of my life. I can also choose to leave it on a little while as a face mask. My skin has been thanking me. : ) I appreciate all these inexpensive and practical ideas. You've inspired me to use simple ingredients for everyday beauty. : )

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 24, 2013:

Hi Kalliope,

Welcome and thanks! hope you enjoyed and give it a try!

Kalliope on April 23, 2013:

Amazing recipes with simple ingredients!

I'm so glad to have found you!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on March 06, 2013:

Hi Phyllis,

Many thanks for visiting and leaving a lovely comment. Hope you enjoy trying oatmeal and yogurt they work a treat together. The other hub I have on Oatmeal has some more suggestions if you fancy a different combination sometime. Appreciate your votes so much! :-)

Phyllis Doyle Burns from High desert of Nevada. on March 06, 2013:

Suzie, this a great, very useful hub. I know oatmeal is so beneficial inside and outside of us. I used to do oatmeal facial masks once a month and am going to try your recipes. I have never used yogurt in the mask, but, will do so now. Thank you for these great tips!

Up, Awesome, Useful, Interesting

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 19, 2013:

Hi kathryn,

Thanks so much for commenting again, I am delighted you are enjoying this series and will continue to drop in for more. Appreciate your support!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 19, 2013:

Hi ComfortB,

Welcome and thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed and thanks so much for your votes. oatmeal and Yogurt sounds too good too put on your face but it works treat.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 19, 2013:

Hi Mary,

Many thanks always great to have you visit! I am glad you think of me as your personal beauty consultant, I hope I continue to write hubs you enjoy! Any things you would like to see let me know and I will try to come up with a homemade recipe for! Many thanks again for your words, support and votes! :-)

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 19, 2013:

Hi ignugent17,

Many thanks for commenting, glad you enjoyed this one and may give it a try!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 19, 2013:

Hi Mary,

What a joy your bit of family history is to read. I always love hearing remedies and recipes that were used. So much of it is still very relevant today. Many thanks for your kind words and insightful story, your votes and sharing are much appreciated.

Kathryn from Windsor, Connecticut on February 19, 2013:

I love masks, and you have so many great recupes for facial products! Thanks for sharing.

Comfort Babatola from Bonaire, GA, USA on February 19, 2013:

This hub is definitely an eye-opener. Oatmeal and yogurt, who knew?

Voted up and useful.

Mary Craig from New York on February 19, 2013:

This is great. I feel like I have my very own beauty consultant. Each hub you write gets more useful than the next! What a great job you do from start to finish.

Voted up, useful, and interesting.

ignugent17 on February 19, 2013:

Very interesting hub. I might try this one. Thanks for sharing. :-)

Mary Hyatt from Florida on February 19, 2013:

I learn something new everyday here in Hubland. I am bookmarking your Hub cause I know I won't remember everything you said. Great Hub. When I was growing up (and quite poor), we used oatmeal as a shampoo. We applied a little oatmeal, let it sit and then brushed it out. It absorbed the oil and dirt!

Voted this UP, etc. and will share.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 16, 2013:

Hi Vellur,

Appreciate you commenting and delighted to see you were able to follow the steps clearly. Many thanks for the vote up here!!

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on February 16, 2013:

A very useful hub, thanks for sharing. Clear instructions, voted up.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on January 27, 2013:

Hi dghbrh,

Many thanks again!!

deergha from ...... a place beyond now and beyond here !!! on January 26, 2013:

My pleasure here always. Smiles and happiness to your way.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on January 26, 2013:

Hi dghbrh,

Delighted to hear your feedback! Thanks so much for dropping me a note. I appreciate your lovely compliments, most gracious of you. Great to know you were happy with the oatmeal and yogurt!!

deergha from ...... a place beyond now and beyond here !!! on January 26, 2013:

Hey dear Suzie HQ, Ii tried it already this morning and let me tell you it feels so nice and fresh. The simple presentation is what got me stuck and interested to try it out really. Many thanks and let me tell you, I am now your an ardent fan for sure. Keep up the good work. God bless you

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on January 26, 2013:

Hi dghbrh,

Many thanks for visiting. Delighted to know you enjoyed and hope to give it a try! Appreciate your input and votes, shares and interest. Have a great weekend :-)

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on January 26, 2013:

Hi rajan,

Pleasure to see you as always my guru on everything! I love your informative hubs and your stylish presenting so feel humbled you enjoy my work. I love linking to your work as it so compliments my natural products so a good team all round! Many thanks rajan for your support, votes, shares, have a great weekend!

deergha from ...... a place beyond now and beyond here !!! on January 26, 2013:

Very useful and nice hub. Hope to try out soon. Things are also readily available and the simple way of presentation is very adorable. Thank you for sharing this one. Votes up and sharing across.

Rajan Singh Jolly from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on January 26, 2013:

Hi Suzie, I always enjoy these natural homemade products info you provide. These are very effective as well as being much safer than the chemical products that abound in the market.

Thanks for sharing.

Voted up, useful and sharing.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on January 25, 2013:

Hi TeavelinJack,

Love to see you here, So glad you enjoyed and are keen to give it a go!! Apply the mask/scrub a few times a week and you should start to see a difference in your skin and blackheads. Appreciate you commenting!! :-)

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on January 25, 2013:

Hi Glimmer Twin,

Great to have you visit once more! Now that I have gone down the path of homemade facial treatments I have realized how much i have missed them! From doing them and having them done daily at beauty college to virtually never, it is wonderful to pamper your skin with!! For large pores, which i have had too, include some great ingredients such as witch hazel, apple cider vinegar, egg white , olive oil or just plain cold water as a final rinse on the face. I have some hubs using these ingredients if you need any pointers and will have more! Hope you enjoy trying this recipe out oatmeal is so good for the skin as is natural yogurt and I love eating them too! LOL. Thanks so much for your continued support and interest, it is much appreciated as are your votes and pins!!!!

Jack Baumann from St. Louis, Missouri on January 24, 2013:

I have a ton of blackheads, I'm going to put your method to the test!!

Claudia Mitchell on January 24, 2013:

Ooohhhh..I love this one. I love facials and now can do an upscale one at home. My problem is really big pores. Not sure if these recipes will help, but will give them a try. Who knew one could do all those cool things at home. Up, awesome and pinned.