Blackheads are small black skin projections often found on the face, especially on the nose and sometimes on the back. These black projections form a plug, blocking the skin's sebaceous glands.
They are caused by excessive production of "sebum" (an oily substance) from the sebaceous gland that slowly gets hardened when it mixes with dead skin and bacteria.
The sebum gets exposed to oxygen from the air and gets oxidized, turning black.
When they are below the pore opening, they appear as white or yellow bumps and don't get oxidized. They are called whiteheads.
Here are the main causes that lead to blackheads:
- Stress
- Hormonal changes
- Inheritance
- Unclean skin
- Cosmetics
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
Follow these simple, natural ways to clean the pores and remove blackheads using readily available ingredients at home.
Tomato Wash
Tomatoes are an excellent home remedy to remove blackheads. This fruit has natural antiseptic properties that dry up blackheads. Take a small tomato, peeled and mashed, and apply it over the blackheads before bed. Leave it overnight, and then wash your face with clean water in the morning.
Lemon Scrub
Lemon is another natural ingredient that is effective in treating blackheads. Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice into a bowl, add salt, and stir the mixture well. Wash the face with warm water and apply the mixture to the blackheads. After 20 minutes, wash your face with warm water again.
Toothpaste Rub
Apply a thin layer of toothpaste over the blackheads, leave for 25 minutes, and wash the face gently with warm water. Repeat this remedy for two weeks to be free from blackheads.
Honey Massage
Honey has antiseptic properties that work wonders for both oily skin and blackheads. Apply honey to the affected area and wash it off with warm water after 15 minutes.
Baking Soda Mask
Prepare a mixture of baking soda and water to make a paste. Apply gently to the affected part, allow it to dry for a few minutes, and then rinse it with warm water to remove the oil and dirt that cause blackheads.
Oatmeal Pack
A mixture of oatmeal and yogurt is good for the skin and helps banish blackheads. Mix two tablespoons of oatmeal with three tablespoons of yogurt; add one tablespoon of lemon juice and olive oil to it; mix all these ingredients well till it forms a paste. Apply the mixture to the face, leave it for 10-15 minutes, and wash the face with cold water.
Egg Wash
Raw eggs are an effective home remedy to get rid of blackheads. One to two egg whites, mixed with one tablespoon of honey, should be beaten. Apply this mixture over the area of blackheads, leave for 30 minutes, and wash off with warm water.
Cinnamon Pack
Prepare a mixture of equal parts of cinnamon powder and lime juice to form a thick paste. Apply the paste to the affected parts and leave it on overnight. Then wash it off with warm water in the morning.
Conclusion
Blackheads are small black skin projections often found on the face. They are caused by excessive production of "sebum" (an oily substance) from the sebaceous gland. Follow these simple, natural ways to clean the pores and remove blackheads using readily available ingredients at home. Apply a thin layer of toothpaste over the blackheads, leave for 25 minutes, and wash the face gently with warm water. Oatmeal and yogurt are suitable for the skin and help banish blackheads. Raw eggs are an effective home remedy to eliminate blackheads using honey and egg whites.[1]