Check out Part 2: How To Get Rid of Blackheads
I have had problems with blackheads since middle school, and I imagine a lot of you have faced the same issues. (Well, maybe you haven’t, but I’d feel better if I weren’t the only one, so humor me.) As you might assume, I’ve learned a trick or two over the years for ditching these little buggers. Here’s some tips on how to prevent your skin from getting blackheads and rid yourself of some of the ones you have now:
- Exfoliate. Really. I know, blah blah blah, right? Wrong! If you don’t exfoliate, you will never get rid of those blackheads. Exfoliating your skin clears your pores of dead skin cells and other oils that clog pores and create those tiny spots we all hate. I would recommend exfoliating 2-3 times per week to get rid of blackheads; any more than that will cause the skin’s natural oils to be stripped. (I know the teenagers are probably cheering, but dryness actually causes your super-smart face to produce more oil, thereby creating more acne and cloggage.)
- Don’t keep clogging your pores. Since blackheads come from dirt and oil clogging pores, keeping them free and clear of any foreign substances follows. To keep clogs at bay in the future, choose non-comedogenic skincare and makeup products. “Non-comedogenic” refers to a product being less likely to cause clogged pores, usually because it is water-based rather than oil-based. Toner is also important for keeping foreign bodies (ew) out of pores, since it closes and protects the pores.
- Use cleansing masks. Masks of any type are extremely effective, since they allow ingredients to really seep into pores. Masks with fruit enzymes are very effective at removing dead skin cells, one of the naughtiest culprits in creating blackheads. Try to use some kind of facial mask at least 1-2 times per week. A warning, though: try and keep treatments with toner, exfoliant and masks spread out, since too frequent use could cause irritation and breakouts.
- Don’t let your hair make it worse. Oil in hair is often a good thing; it can create a shiny, soft texture that makes hair look healthy and strong. But when your moist hair hangs out on top of your oil-mongering pores all day, your scalp’s sebaceous goodness seeps into your facial skin and causes blackheads and pimples. You may want to wear your hair up in a ponytail for a while. If you have bangs, get rid of them! I grew mine out in middle school because I heard my hair was clogging my pores, and my forehead cleared up as soon as they were ponytail-length.
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I’ve been exfoliating on and off forever, but I’m always unsure if I’m doing it right because it doesn’t feel any different to me. Any specific products you suggest?
A nice hot bath followed by a good squeeze, simple!
as far as exfoliation, the best way is to soften the skin naturally, a long hot steamy bath, will mean just a light rub will remove old dead skin, and not lead to over doing it, or need for expensive stuff
thats kinda dumb i mean everyone knows that , that would have been a waste of tiome to write. sorry if im being rude but it’s true
I appreciate your feedback, Courtney. Unfortunately, many girls don’t know the basics of caring for clogged pores, so I wrote this post hoping to educate people on some of the basic guidelines. I hope to write a followup soon about some more extreme methods for treating blackheads, like extractions. Check back with us!
OMG!!!!! THIS IS THE DUMBEST ADVISE EVER!!!! I TRIED IT AND IT DOESNT WORK!!! SO YOU PEOPLE WHO R READING THIS THE REAL DEAL IS THAT BLACKHEADS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE WETHER U CAN SEE THEM OR NOT SO TRY ALL OF THESE (STUPID) IDEAS AND I CAN GUARENTEE THAT IT WONT WORK!!! SO I HOPE YOU SMARTER PEOPLE WILL TAKE MY ADVISE AND STOP WAISTING YOUR TIME WASHING AND CLEANSING YOUR FACE JUST MAKE SURE YOUR SKIN IS ALWAYS CLEAN AND ANOTHER GOOD BIT OF ADVISE USE PRO ACTIVE NOW THAT STUFF REALLY WORKS!!! THANX FOR READING
Dancey22 –
Sorry you didn’t find my post helpful; I can’t say I agree that washing your face is a waste of time, but I can understand how if you have very clogged pores or have had blackheads for a long time, you might not see results from it right away. Most of the things included in this post were the “preventive maintenance” approach to ridding yourself of blackheads. It’s true that some of your pores will always be clogged to some extent, but if you’ve actually got blackheads 24/7, there’s a part of your skincare ritual missing somewhere. As I mentioned to Courtney above, getting extractions from an esthetician might be useful to you if your blackheads just won’t quit. And I definitely agree on the quality of Pro-Activ products; they are excellent all around.
thanks for the advice, but do u think u could write one about
getting rid of blackheads, as a sequel to the preventing one.
[...] Cailin • July 24, 2008 A lot of you ladies found my advice on blackhead prevention and removal in a previous post simply wasn’t enough to rid your skin of the tricky little buggers [...]
You asked, we delivered! Check out How To: Get Rid of Blackheads, Part 2!
cailin i think that its awesome that u put this stuff on herre
and yu guys kno that everyones skin is different…
how do you get rid of rosacea?( not pimples.. but annoying little bumps that u get on ur arms or on the sides of your cheecks its like freakin permanent blush ahh!)
<3 briana
I tried so many things for removing blackheads but no use (:
The only thing that i found that really works is this product from loreal its from their pure range its their 3 in 1 you can use it as a face mask , a face wash and a black head remover also melted chocolate used has a face mask is a really good black head remover .
Is it really works…….don’t know i am still doubtfull about these blackheads.
I have been facing problems of blackheads and they seem to be getting worse. It really makes you look ugly and I am worried that if they will ever go away. Let’s see whether i will get them remove by above options….so worried.
Trust me, a baking soda mask twice a week would be ok, at least for me
Is there a way to become a content writer for the site?
Not that I’m totally impressed, but this is more than I expected for when I stumpled upon a link on Delicious telling that the info here is awesome. Thanks.
This is such rubbish advice ive tried all of this IH DOESNT WORK! Never ever pop blakheads because ih realy hurts and infects the skin the best way to clearing up ur skin is to drink loads of water ih realy works and dont bother steaming ur face again IH DOESNT WORK!
Fuk this
Im a boy
, though this article belongs to D’ gorgeouz girl out their..anyway. my case is weird. i get blackheads once i notice some of it and i became concern and to focuz bout it,,. then that cause me to get some..again:) anyway. this article is very help ful
i m so worried abut these blackheads stuff, God i dont know wheater these advises above would be helpful or not, i dont know wot to do..
please HELP!!
hi im gino from the philippines,i do have blackheads ang i want it to eliminate,,,pls help me:(
