Surely you have been tempted to squeeze out those pesky blackheads whenever you look in the mirror. Not only is it not easy to the eyes, but it gives the skin an uneven texture. Blackheads are another form of acne formed when dead skin meets sebum in a clogged pore. This meetup causes oxidation that will give the blackheads their iconic color.
Well, black can be a flattering color loved by many to look slimmer and elegant. However, we certainly wouldn’t want it on our faces. The good news is it is not yet the end of the world. There are natural remedies and skin treatments available to save the body’s biggest organ – your skin.
Here are a few things you can follow to stop the formation of those annoying blackheads.
Cleanse your face.
It is recommended to use cleansers that have Salicylic acid to start treating your blackheads. Salicylic acid helps strip off the dead cells on the skin, decreasing the chance of sebum flourishing into your face. If you want to go cruelty-free and organic, you can also invest in cleansers with fruit enzymes as alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) to exfoliate the skin.
Dermatologists recommend washing the face two to a maximum of three times per day as excessive washing can strip off natural oils from your skin.
Sleep on a clean pillowcase.
The same drill applies if you have active acne. As you sleep, dirt and oil from your pillowcase can transfer to your face and lead to the formation of blackheads the next day.
It is advisable to change pillowcases every three days to ensure that there’s not much dirt and oil from your hair accumulated to your beddings.
Exfoliate regularly.
Squeezing of your nose to get the blackheads out is harsh to the skin. There are instances where there is still sebum left after pressing, which will lead to active pimples and eventually acne scarring. Exfoliation is the key to lift the deep-seated sebum from your skin.
Choose exfoliants that have Salicylic acid and AHAs. For a cruelty-free option, you can use a gentle washcloth in scrubbing off the blackheads. You can also use masks like clay masks, charcoal masks, or the pore strips available in many beauty markets.
Be gentle and do not put too much pressure when scrubbing the skin.
