How to Ditch Blackheads for Good?

Blackheads are formed when enlarged pores get clogged with natural skin secretions and grime. If not treated in time; the dirt and debris quickly form a breeding ground for bacteria leading to the eruption of ungainly acne. Contrary to popular belief, men as well as women are equally prone to blackheads and people of all ages have to battle the concern. Your eating habits also have a bearing on the appearance of these tiny black dots on your face. Although there is no way to to keep your face completely black head free, you can control them effectively by following the tips given below.

The genetic connection

Unfortunately, some people are genetically predisposed to skin imperfection like large pore size and black heads or comedone.. However, a diligent cleansing routine, herbal measures and the proper diet can lower your susceptibility to blackheads. For instance, food items that are rich in carbohydrates, fats, sugar and stimulants like alcohol and caffeine along with stress can put the body's hormonal system into over drive. This in turn can lead to the excessive secretion of sebum which attracts dirt and grime clogging the pores. If black heads are left to their own means they can quickly cause the expansion of pore size which can further escalate the issue.

Lifestyle measures that help to prevent black heads

Exfoliate and Exfoliate More: Exfoliating 3 to 4 times a week will not only help to keep the pores clean but will also strip the dead cells from your face, giving you a glowing complexion without the blemishes. While even the cheapest exfoliating scrubs will work, using a high quality product with fine grains will not damage the skin. If this does not help to you to get rid if your pesky blackheads; this simply means that you need to step up your efforts to 5 exfoliation a week.

Keep your face clean: Cleaning your face with a cleanser (not soap) and water twice a day is a must. If you have oily skin, increase the number of face washes to 3 and use an appropriate cleanser. It is imperative to understand that using a strong chemical product that dries the skin will not help you to prevent blackheads. If you have combination skin, the oily skin cleanser with salicylic acid will be too harsh for your skin. Use it only on the problematic areas and choose a mild cleanser for the rest of your face.

Do not forget to use a moisturizer: Cleansing should be followed by moisturizing; once again, it would be best to use a product that will work for your skin type. Also, it would be a grave mistake to experiment with varying products. Instead, stick to a specific range of products that is designed for your skin tone, type and age. For blackhead issues, you may want to consider a "non-comodogenic moisturizer which will not only reduce the sebum secretion but will also keep the pores clean. On the other hand, there are also a myriad of products available for combination skin.

Do not expose your face to impurities: Change your pillow case every alternate day; if you are going to be in an area with a lot of pollution, wash your face as soon as you get back home. Do not touch your face unless you have washed your hands. Also, keep your hair off your face if you see blackheads appearing near the hair line or on other areas of the face that are touched by your hair.

Use tools sparingly: Tools, even if they are made of high-grade steel, should be reserved for professionals. Instead, go with application products such as face strips, mud masks and topical acne medication for zits. However, make sure that you do not overdo things because they may strip the upper layer of cells from the skin; unfortunately, it is not going to grow back in a day.

Spot treatment is the best treatment: Papaya enzyme, and Vitamin B3 serum, Nyacinamide are extremely potent against blackheads; use products that contain these substances for spot treatment that will nip the acne or blackhead eruption at the bud.

Use a mask: Peel off masks, mud masks, kaolin based masks etc all help to draw out the grime from the pores, closing them in the process. So, they are very effective against blackheads.

Natural Remedies

If blackheads are making their ugly appearance felt on your face, herbal remedies can be a safe yet incredibly effective solution. However, before using any natural concoctions on your face, you will need to prepare your skin for best results. Dampen a towel with hot water and place it on your face or at least on the problematic areas for 5 minutes to open the pores.

Tomato: Fortunately, a lot of the effective herbal remedies against blackheads can be found right in your refrigerator like a tomato. Just cut a tomato into half and rub it over the problematic area or blend the tomato and spread it on your face, leave for a few minutes and rinse the area with warm water.

Egg whites: A mask made from egg whites and honey can also be used on blackheads. Allow the mixture to dry for 10 minutes on your face and then rinse with warm water.

Green Tea: If you have sensitive skin, use green tea prepared with a little bit of water on your skin. This solution works well for hard to reach areas of the face like the corners of your nose.

Fuller's earth: Mix glycerin soap with 40 gm of almond powder and 10 gm Fuller's earth; add hot water to the mixture to make a smooth paste and apply it directly on the blackheads.

Fenugreek: make a smooth paste by grinding fenugreek leaves /seeds with water; make a smooth paste and apply over your face. Leave the mixture overnight and rinse with warm water.

Pomegranate: Roast the skin of pomegranate and powder it; mix this with some lime juice to form a paste and apply it on your face. The mixture is very potent against blackheads, pimples and other blemishes.

Groundnut oil pack for dry skin: Mix equal amounts of lime juice and groundnut oil and apply on your face. Let it stay on your face for 15 minutes and then rinse with ample of water.

Baking soda for stubborn blackheads: Mix 4 tsp of baking soda with some mineral water and apply the paste to your face. Leave for ten minutes before rinsing with warm water.

As you can see, it is possible to tackle blackheads with natural remedies. As a matter if fact, they are gentle and don't do the damage associated with professional treatments.