If you're like me, just the sight of those tiny black specks on your face, known as blackheads, are enough to make you go on a facial picking spree. That means using our fingers to squeeze and pop everything in sight. No pimple, whitehead, or blackhead shall go untouched. Those little eyesores take over our T-zones and prevent us from having the flawless skin that keeps us feeling our most confident. But picking your face is exactly what you're not supposed to do to rid your skin of those pesky facial blemishes. By doing so, you risk infecting your pores and creating scarring that's even harder to get rid of.
Blackheads are the result of clogged follicles. Each hair follicle on your body contains one hair and a sebaceous gland that produces oil. When dead skin cells or grime get into the follicle and mix with the sebum oil, it results in a plug that pushes itself to the surface and forms a bump. If the skin around the bump opens and air gets in, the sebum then oxidizes, resulting in those black dots you're tempted to squeeze.
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But the best ways to get rid of blackheads don't require picking or expensive products from the beauty aisle. You can keep your pores clean and hydrated using products that may be living right in your kitchen cabinet. In addition to properly cleansing your face, you also want to examine whether the cosmetics and moisturizers you use are oil-based, as these too can contribute to blackhead formation. Finding the right routine for you might require testing out different methods.
Here are 15 DIY natural remedies to get you started and on your way to preventing and eliminating blackheads.
You don’t have to eat oatmeal for breakfast to reap its benefits.
Because of its ability to both cleanse and moisturize, oatmeal makes a great ingredient for a homemade face mask. Oats have a natural foaming agent that doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils. It also helps reduce itching and inflammation and is full of antioxidant properties that may help undo skin damage caused by chemicals, UV rays, and pollution.
An oatmeal mask will remove excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that are inside skin pores and lead to blackheads.
You can combine oatmeal with other ingredients like yogurt, honey, or lemon to make a variety of natural face masks, but it’s not necessary because the oats can also function alone. To make an oatmeal mask, make a thick paste by combining water and cooked or uncooked rolled oats. Then massage it into your face for five minutes. You can also lay a lukewarm wet cloth over your face while the mask is on for another 15 minutes.
To remove blackheads and tighten skin, make a face mask using egg whites.
Eggs whites contain protein and other nutrients that are nourishing to the skin. When applied as a mask, they may help tighten pores, remove dead skin cells, and diminish the look of fine lines. The protein also works to remove excess oil in the skin that can often lead to blackheads, whiteheads, or acne.
To make a DIY egg white mask you’ll need tissue paper, a foundation brush, and egg whites.
Whisk egg whites in a bowl and then apply a thin layer to your face with a foundation brush. Then cover that thin layer with tissue paper and apply another layer of egg white over the tissue paper. The egg white will act as an adhesive for the tissue. Leave the mask on until it hardens. Then, slowly remove it starting at the chin to remove blackheads and possibly facial hair.
Use a yogurt face mask to give your skin an extra glow.
The lactic acid found in plain yogurt with live, active cultures will do a ton of good for your face. Applied to the face, it’ll dissolve dead skin from pores and close larger ones to make your skin look younger. Yogurt may also diminish breakouts by cleansing the skin of impurities and its zinc content may also aid in the healing of acne blemishes.
To rejuvenate your skin and prevent blackheads, use these simple yogurt facial masks.
To enjoy the benefits of yogurt, you can simply rub a thin layer of yogurt onto your skin and allow it to sit for 20 to 40 minutes. Then, rinse it off with lukewarm water. To up your yogurt mask, you can combine plain yogurt with two mashed ripe strawberries and honey to create a mixture you will apply to your clean face. You’ll allow the mixture to sit and dry out for 15 minutes, rinsing it off with warm water once the time is up.
Exfoliate and hydrate the skin by creating a facial mixture that includes Epsom salt.
The magnesium ions found in Epsom salt hydrate the skin reducing skin roughness and any skin inflammation you might have. Epsom salt also serves as an exfoliator that can rid the skin of blackheads, dead skin patches, and other impurities that can lead to clogged pores and acne.
This blackhead-fighting facial soak will help you clear your pores.
To create the facial soak, dissolve 2 to 3 teaspoons of Epsom salt in warm water. Then soak a washcloth in the solution and lay the washcloth over your face until it cools. Avoid the eyes as contact with the mixture can result in stinging. To make an exfoliating mask, you can also combine the Epsom salt with an oil, like olive or almond oil, and apply the mixture onto your face for several minutes.
Don’t throw away the peel next time you have an orange.
The nutrients in orange peels give them healing properties that can have your skin glowing. The use of orange peels for facial scrubs or masks can help extract blackheads by cleaning out dirt from deep inside pores. The vitamin C found in orange peels may also fight free radicals that destroy functioning skin cells, leading to wrinkles and saggy skin.
Add orange peel powder to your facial mask to take advantage of its nutrients and antioxidants.
You can make your own orange peel powder at home by drying out some organic orange peels for a few days and then crushing them into a powder by using a blender or food processor. You can then create a deep-cleaning facial mask by combining the orange peel powder with baking soda, oatmeal, and water to create a thick paste. Massage the paste onto your face and let it sit for 15 minutes, removing it with cold water once time is up.
You don’t have to drink a glass of green tea to take advantage of all its antioxidants.
The catechins found in green tea give it antibacterial properties that can potentially reduce acne, prevent breakouts, and minimize pore size by drawing out impurities. The antioxidants in green tea may also prevent skin damage by fighting free radicals that damage healthy skin cells, preventing fine lines, age spots, and saggy skin.
Skip a trip to the drugstore and create your own green tea blackhead remedy at home.
To start, steep two green tea bags in boiling water for about an hour. You’ll then transfer the tea to a glass and let it chill by placing it in a refrigerator for another two hours. Using a cotton ball, dab the green tea onto the blackheads, only after you’ve washed your face with a gentle cleanser. Leave the tea on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse with cool water. Repeat this process daily.
To cleanse your skin without stripping it of its natural oils, use honey.
Honey has antibacterial properties that can cleanse facial pores of impurities, including grime and dirt that may have settled inside the pores. Its antiseptic properties also have the potential to heal and soothe the skin. Because honey is also a natural humectant, it can moisturize the top layers of the skin, plumping wrinkles, and soothing dry and sensitive areas.
A jar of honey will have you on your way to eliminating blackheads.
Though you can mix honey with other ingredients, like cinnamon, to make a blackhead-fighting facial mask, it also works on its own. To use it, scoop up some honey, rubbing it between your hands to disperse it and warm it up. Apply the honey to your face, spreading it out evenly and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then use a dampened, soft warm cloth to wipe away the honey.
Lemon’s natural properties make it a great tool for fighting blackheads.
The alpha hydroxy acids in lemon juice give it exfoliating properties that can help rid the face of dead skin cells. This maintains skin elasticity and promotes new skin growth. Lemon juice is a also a natural lightening agent that can brighten the skin and help heal age spots and other facial discolorations.
This homemade lemon and honey mask will help you fight blackheads, honey and discoloration.
First, carefully steam your face to open up your pores by standing above a bowl of boiling water. To make the mask, mix 1 tablespoon of organic honey with half a squeezed lemon. You’ll rub this mixture onto your face staying away from the eyes. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes and then wash it away with warm water. Splash your face with cold water afterwards to close up the pores.
Use some turmeric to fight off facial acne and blackheads caused by clogged pores.
The antifungal and antibacterial properties of turmeric may prevent breakouts and blackheads by breaking down free radicals that damage skin cells. The curcumin content in turmeric may help heal inflammation and pain that may be associated with acne. It’s important to use kasturi turmeric since regular turmeric can stain the skin.
This DIY turmeric face mask can be used as a natural exfoliant.
To start reaping the cleansing benefits of turmeric, mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric with 2 tablespoons flour, 3 tablespoons milk, and a few drops of honey until it reaches the consistency of a thick paste. You’ll then apply a thin layer to your face, letting it dry for 20 minutes. Rinse it off in the shower and follow it up with a moisturizer.
To keep bacteria and acne at bay, make apple cider vinegar a part of your facial routine.
Using apple cider vinegar removes oil and helps balance the pH level of your skin, preventing it from becoming too oily or too dry. It’s full of antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties that help to exfoliate the skin by removing dead skin buildup and making way for healthy new skin cells. Your skin will emerge softer and smoother.
To unclog cores, use apple cider vinegar on its own or create a paste by mixing it with baking soda.
To use it alone, you can dip a cotton ball in organic apple cider vinegar and dab it on the skin affected by blackheads. After letting it sit for a few minutes, rinse off the vinegar with warm water. Likewise, you can combine 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda to create a paste you can spread all over the face. When the mask dries rinse it with warm water, followed by a mild facial cleanser.
You don’t have to top your latte with nutmeg to start taking in its benefits.
Nutmeg has both antibacterial and antiviral properties that may help prevent infections, clogged pores, and help control oil. Nutmeg is said to stimulate the skin by waking up dead skin cells and reducing the appearance of fine lines around the mouth. Its healing properties may help treat blemishes, including those left by acne and sun spots.
Use this mixture of nutmeg and milk to start removing blackheads.
To prepare this homemade exfoliator, combine nutmeg with enough milk to produce a paste. Apply the paste all over your face and rub to start loosening those blackheads. Once done, wash off the mixture with cool water. This remedy is great for those with oily skin, as the nutmeg helps get rid of some of it.
To start unclogging your pores, use baking soda in your facial mask.
Baking soda works as a good cleansing agent because it may help absorb excess oil off your face, remove dead skin cells, and unclog the pores. Its exfoliating properties will make your skin less oily.
Though you can simply mix baking soda with water, mixing it with sugar will result in a natural exfoliating scrub.
To prep the scrub, combine 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking soda and water in a bowl. You’ll then massage the mixture into the areas of your face affected by blackheads. Leave the mixture on for 5 minutes and then use warm water to rinse it off. For best results, repeat this process regularly.
Cucumbers do more than just look cool while resting on your eyes.
Since cucumber is made of about 96% water, it’s great for hydrating the skin. It may also lighten and revitalize the skin and its anti-inflammatory properties can aid in ridding and healing the skin of nasty breakouts. Cucumbers are also a source of nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A and C.
The cucumber pulp in this face scrub will rejuvenate the skin and help remove blackheads.
To make this scrub, you’ll combine 1/2 cup of cucumber pulp, which you can make by blending half a cucumber, with 1/2 cup of yogurt in a small bowl. You’ll then add 2 tablespoons of raw honey and 1/2 cup of oatmeal. To let the mask solidify a little, you’ll chill it in a fridge. Once it has reached the consistency of a thick scrub, you’ll apply it to the areas of your face affected by blackheads and acne, leaving it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Finally, wash it off with warm water.
Though you might be used to sprinkling cinnamon on food or tea, it’s also a great ingredient for a blackhead-fighting face mask.
Cinnamon can help oily clogged pores that lead to acne and blackheads by drying out the skin. It may also bring blood and nutrients to the skin’s surface causing minor swelling and plumping, and in turn reducing the look of fine lines. But don’t use a cinnamon mask more than once a week, since it’s possible it could irritate the skin.
To freshen up skin while removing blackheads, use a cinnamon and honey facial mask.
Mix 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and 3 tablespoons of honey in a bowl. Spread the mask all over your face and leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes. Afterwards, rinse your face clean with water. The combination will help cure up acne, while stimulating the skin to produce collagen for an anti-aging effect.
Using castor oil reaps many skin benefits that include fighting acne and preventing wrinkles.
Castor oil is full of antioxidants that fight free radicals in the body that often lead to wrinkles and fines line. The oil also has antibacterial properties that clean clogged pores that can result in skin conditions like blackheads and acne. It’s anti-inflammatory properties can also reduce the size of pimples that have already developed.
All you need is a few drops of castor oil to start cleansing the skin of its impurities.
According to what kind of skin you have, you can combine castor oil with another type of oil to properly cleanse your face. For example, if you have dry skin, combine 1/2 teaspoon of castor oil with 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil. Then, massage the mixture into your face to let it penetrate and remove impurities like dead skin cells. Rinse your face clean with water so that when you’re done it’s not overly greasy or irritated and pat dry.
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