Blackheads, also known as comedones, are one of the most common skin disorders, caused mainly by an increased production of sebum, which clogs the pores, especially in the face, neck and torso region. The accumulation of sebum and increased oiliness can also cause skin inflammation and infection, facilitating the appearance of acne. Therefore, it is essential to start treating blackheads early and with a specialized professional.
Some care, such as washing the skin with cold water and neutral soap, exfoliating and using natural products to reduce skin oil, such as green clay, are recommended to obtain healthier and more uniform skin, and help to remove blackheads. and prevent the appearance of pimples.
Aesthetic treatments, such as deep skin cleansing, chemical or crystal peeling and microneedling, also help to reduce the appearance of blackheads, but are normally indicated when daily care is not enough. It is essential that these procedures are recommended by a dermatologist or a professional specializing in advanced aesthetics.
Step by step to remove blackheads at home
To remove blackheads, it is important to take some care, as if the technique is carried out incorrectly, it can cause damage to the skin.
Therefore, to remove blackheads at home correctly, you must follow the following steps:
- Wash your face with cold or warm water and neutral soap;
- Exfoliate the skin, using light circular movements for about 3 minutes, completely removing the exfoliant, with warm water;
- Apply water vapor to the skin for about 5 minutes, repeating this technique until the skin is very damp;
- Wrap the tips of your index fingers with sterile gauze and, using light movements, bring your fingers closer to the blackhead you want to remove;
- Apply light pressure to the blackhead, without causing redness or irritation to the skin;
- Carry out the procedure a maximum of 2 times on each point you want to eliminate;
- Wash your face with warm or cold water to eliminate the sebum present on the skin;
- Apply a tonic to the treated area with a cotton pad;
- Apply specific sunscreen for each skin type. Learn how to choose the best sunscreen.
If it is not possible to remove all the sebum present in the blackheads, it is recommended to interrupt the procedure and seek help from a qualified professional, who will perform the appropriate technique.
Furthermore, it is recommended not to remove or squeeze blackheads with your nails, as in addition to being very harmful to the skin, nails are also a source of dirt and impurities that facilitate the emergence of skin infections.
Essential daily care for blackheads
Some daily care is essential to combat the appearance of blackheads and keep your skin hydrated and healthy for longer. Are they:
1. Wash your face daily
Washing your face every day is essential to reduce skin oiliness and eliminate blackheads more quickly, as in addition to helping to unclog pores, it prevents the appearance of new blackheads and the worsening of pimples.
To clean your skin correctly, you need to use running water and a neutral facial soap, or cleansing lotion, specific to your skin type. Then, make gentle circular movements with your fingertips for about 3 minutes. Finally, remove excess water with a soft towel, without rubbing the area.
It is important to be careful not to wash your face more than twice a day, as this can dry out the skin and cause more oil to be produced to compensate for the dryness, leading to more blackheads, inflammation or rashes on the skin.
2. Exfoliate your skin
Exfoliation is essential to eliminate dead cells, present in the first layer of the skin, as well as helping to reduce oiliness and sebum production. The small granules that make up exfoliants, such as brown sugar, coffee grounds or salt, when applied to the skin, stimulate blood circulation and deeply clean the layers of the skin, eliminating blackheads more quickly. It is recommended to exfoliate at least once a week. Check out 8 homemade exfoliant options.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar, salt or coffee grounds;
- 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil.
How to use: Mix the ingredients in a clean, dry container until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. Then, apply to the area to be treated with light circular movements, for around 5 minutes. It is important to pay attention to the most sensitive areas of the skin, especially below the eyes, to avoid causing injuries. Finally, remove the exfoliant with cold or warm water and dry with a soft towel, without rubbing the skin. It is recommended to perform this exfoliation at least once a week.
3. Apply steam to the skin
Steam, when in contact with the skin, causes pores to dilate, humidifies the skin, increases blood circulation and facilitates the absorption of the active ingredients present in creams and masks. All of this helps facilitate the extraction of existing blackheads and prevents the appearance of new ones.
To perform the technique, it is necessary to pour boiling water into a basin, to which you must safely approach your face, without touching the water, covering your head with a towel. This vaporization must be done for 5 minutes, before starting to remove blackheads. It is possible to add 2 to 3 drops of rosemary oil, for example, to aromatize the environment.
4. Apply a green clay mask
Green clay is a powerful cleansing agent for combination or oily skin, as it has antioxidant properties, which help eliminate toxins present in the outermost layer of the skin, in addition to gradually removing impurities and excess oil, which prevents the formation of new blackheads.
The green clay mask can be made by mixing 2 tablespoons of clay with ½ cup of filtered water or iced chamomile tea, until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. To apply, you must apply the mask to the area you want to treat and leave it to act for around 30 minutes. Then, remove with cold water, making circular movements with your fingertips.
This mask should be applied once a week. Check out 7 homemade recipes for oily skin.
5. Apply a relaxing aloe mask
Aloe vera, also known as Aloe vera, is a great option for oily skin with blackheads, as it has nourishing, regenerating and moisturizing properties, helping to remove oil and impurities and preventing the appearance of new blackheads.
To use this mask, you must remove the gel from the inside of the aloe leaf and apply it directly to the skin to be treated, leaving it to act for 30 minutes. You can add 5 drops of chamomile oil, lavender oil or rosehip oil, as essential oils help to soothe and regenerate the skin. Finally, remove the mask with cold or warm water and dry with a soft towel, without rubbing the skin. As it has a relaxing effect on the skin, this mask can be done right after the clay mask, and can be done once a week.
6. Use a natural toner
A toner is a substance that helps eliminate deeper impurities from the skin, which have not been removed by water, soap or cleansing lotion. In addition, it has the function of reducing oiliness and controlling the skin’s pH, helping to remove blackheads.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of iced chamomile tea;
- 5 drops of tea tree oil.
How to use: Mix the ingredients in a clean, dry container and then, using a cotton pad, wipe over the skin until all dirt is removed, without the need to wash with soap and water afterwards. The natural astringent can be used not only to eliminate impurities, but also to remove makeup at the end of the day.
7. Apply sunscreen daily
It is essential to apply sunscreen daily to avoid blemishes on the skin, which may appear as a result of acne scars, and to protect the skin against UVA and UVB rays. In addition to preventing skin aging, using sunscreen helps the skin become less oily and, consequently, reduces sebum production and the appearance of blackheads. Learn how to choose the best sunscreen for each skin type.
