How to Get Rid of Blackheads
Blackheads are one of the biggest skin problems that most college-age women face. I’ve gotten quite a few emails asking about how to get rid of them, and I used to struggle with them myself!
I have an embarrassing story about how I found out I had blackheads in the first place. I guess you could say I was in “blackhead denial.”
It started out innocently enough – I was hanging out with my boyfriend one weekend, goofing around. All of a sudden, he stared at my face with a scrutinizing look. Pressing his finger up against my nose, he said “by the way, how do you get rid of those things?” I think you can guess what he meant.
Yes, he was pointing at blackheads. Skin flaws that even I, Ms. Perfectionist, hadn’t thought about before! I knew I didn’t have perfect skin, but couldn’t believe something so tiny would be noticeable! I was so upset and embarrassed that I not only chewed my boyfriend out for pointing them out, but became completely self conscious about my “blackhead problem.” From then on, I developed a complex (and an intimate relationship with my magnifying mirror) and became obsessed with getting rid of them.
Since that fateful day, I’ve done tons of research, learning what those annoying little black dots are and how to get rid of them! Although my boyfriend’s comment partially traumatized me, on the plus side, my skin is looking a lot better now and blackheads are no longer an issue.
If you want to get rid of blackheads yourself, or just want to know how to keep them away, read on!
Tips for Getting Rid of Blackheads
Check your makeup – The truth is, what you put on to cover blackheads up might actually be causing more of them! If you wear lots of heavy foundation or use thick face creams, you could be contributing to the problem with your products! In general, if you have a problem with greasy skin and clogged pores, consider using as few products as you can. The fewer layers of stuff that you put on your face, the better.
Lots of water & healthy eating – Cliche’, maybe, but it’s so true. What you put into your body shows on the outside. Simple as that. If you eat lots of greasy crap, your skin is not going to look as good as it would if you ate more veggies and drank more water.
Use BHA – BHA stands for Beta Hydroxy Acid, which is an exfoliant that removes the dead layer of skin from your face. If you’ve ever seen a skincare product that contains salicylic acid, that’s BHA. BHA is important for getting rid of blackheads because it goes into your pores to clean out the excess oil and dead skin cells that make up blackheads.
A great BHA product that I use is Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Anti Blemish Daily Moisturizer. I put it on at night after washing my face, and when I wake up, my skin always looks better and better. I have less blackheads, and as a bonus, my skin is clearer and softer than it was before!
Do a clay mask once a week – This is only for those of you with oily or combination skin. Dry skin, obviously, needs all the oil it can get. Blackheads are partially caused by excess oil on your face, so if you have greasy skin, a good quality clay mask will help sop up some of the grease and keep your pores clearer. Using it once a week is enough – you don’t want to over-dry your skin, because this could lead to even more problems!
Don’t bother with a pore strip – First of all, they’re basically useless for getting rid of anything that’s stuck deep in your pores. Second of all, they can actually damage your skin! I know these things look like miracle products, but save your money because they aren’t really going to help.
Squeeze, but do it carefully! - This is one situation where picking your face may actually help instead of making things worse. Don’t take this as permission to pick at your face all you want! There is a right and a wrong way to squeeze blackheads and it’s really important that you do it the right way.
First, wash your face with a gentle cleanser. (I like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.) Next, cover your face with a warm, wet cloth for 10 to 15 minutes. Pat your face dry, then wrap tissues around your fingers to prevent slippage. Use GENTLE pressure to press down then up around the sides of the blackhead. If nothing happens after one or two tries, stop. That means the blackhead isn’t ready to come out yet. Whatever you do, don’t pinch, use your nails or press too hard. This can damage your skin and might even lead to scars!
See a dermatologist – If all else fails, a derm can really help you out. They can prescribe things like Retin-A, antibiotics or Accutane, which can all help with blackheads. Procedures like microdermabrasion are also said to be effective, but I recommend trying the above steps first because the problem can usually clear itself up without these extreme treatments.
At the end of the day, blackheads are kind of an ongoing battle. For those of us who are prone to them, light makeup, gentle cleansers and BHA treatments are necessary to get rid of them and keep them away. There isn’t any magical cure that will rid you of them forever, but taking good care of you skin on an ongoing basis will work wonders.
Have you ever had a problem with blackheads? What have you done to get rid of them? Do you recommend any products to help with the problem? Let me know in the comments!
Posted on on March 24, 2008 / Filed Under: Beauty & Hair / Tags: Blackheads, How To, Makeup, Skin
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Cadi
After you remove the blackhead, clean the area. The pore can get infected, and that’s NEVER pleasant. A Q-tip with rubbing alcohol works fine for me.
Also, if the towels-on-face thing doesn’t work out for you, it actually works best if you try to remove them after a shower.
apresenta
great advice!
Zephyr
Cadi – Good point. In general though, if you remove the blackhead with really clean hands and use tissues so you don’t touch your face, you’ll probably be fine. At least that’s what I’ve always heard. And that’s true, after a shower is good. You just shouldn’t ever “steam” your face, because then you can weaken your skin and cause conditions like rosacea!
Tracy Hart
Agree with Cadi, that you should be very gentle with your skin so not to injure it. causing broken capillaries. Which is why professional facials are great, once a month if you can afford it, with a facialist who knows how to clean the pores gently without damaging your skin. Products to use, according to my dermatologist, include cetaphil to cleanse, Renova everynight (a prescription cream that will slowly eliminate blackheads), and staying out of the sun/wearing sunblock. Sun increases oil production and makes the skin look rough, long after the tan has faded. Blackheads are due to excess oil, which is genetic, so you can’t change the oil, just the way it looks. Facials and gentle treatment is key.
karen erkr
Thanks for the advice! it seems like i have the worst blackheads in the workd! i hate them
David
cool.thank you
Shannon
You can buy inexpesive tools in the cosmetics sections that help remove balckheads without the worry of fingernail scratches. Light makeup probably isn’t enough. Oil-free foundations, powders, acne concealers, and blushes could be better.
Shannon
Oops! Typos! I meant “inexpensive” and “blackheads.” I usually check for typos prior to submitting comments. LOL
dominique
thanks but iv tryed every thing i dont wear makeup and i drink lost of water i dont know what else to do =( i hate them please help mee !!
SS
Great article. Very informative. I had pimples, nothing that bad, but bad enough to make me self concious, right from hi school to now. My friends say I have great skin but they have no clue what I went thru. Im 39 now, and still see every flaw. I tried so many different things. When I was younger I was so obsessed and would squeeze in front of the mirror with my nails leaving my face red with Nail marks. At times I would squeeze so hard Id go to school with 2-3 random band aids on my face and lie I cut myself shaving. The obsession got worse and worse. Id squeeze promising to stop after I got 1 more good one. Id wash with soap, which often did nothing or made worse. I used Retin-A when I was younger, which did help, but led to other irritations and dry mouth. The one thing I did that seemed to work wonders was microdermabrasion. I went once a month for 2-3 months, and suddenly women were complimenting how flawless my skin was. It was expensive. I paid $300 each time, but my confidence was soooo high, it was worth it. You notice the difference by the second month. I went to aplace in NYC called Ling in Soho. They were expensive, but they did the job. The first time I went, I walked out with $300 of product, which, honestly,as a str8 man, I just couldnt be bothered to use, and really didnt need to despite them telling me. Skip the product, get the microdermabrasion, and you should be good to go. Best to all.
Liz
yeah..im younger and everything but like my blackheads are horrible. I use Sea Breeze and all it does is burns. Maybe this advice will help.
Kelly
I’m glad I found this. I’ve had horrible blackheads on my nose for the longest time, but I had no idea how to get rid of them. Like Zephyr said, those pore strips aren’t worth buying because they don’t work! I will have to try the Cetaphyl though, because I have been looking for a mild face wash since I also have rosacea on my cheeks. (I was using things like Sea Breeze and witch hazel but found out I shouldn’t use those because they’re bad for rosacea.) I will have to try Zephyr’s suggestions and see if they help!
Ashley
hey im going to try all of those steps because i hate when people look at me and i know my self it looks gross. black heads are the most horrible thing and yes i am a self concious about them all the time. so hopefully these things will help
peace
Katy
Yeah.
I always scratch the blackheads on my nose, and it causes skin to kind of stick straigh up. Then I take tweezers and grab and pull out as many as I can.
I immediately clean with a Q-tip covered in Blackhead Remover stuff by Clean n’ Clear I think. It’s in a purple bottle.
It’s kinda cool to see the giant hole in your nose that was filled with the black and yellow stuff. Sometimes it gets rid of the black head, sometimes more come. It just really depends.
I don’t know, it’s probably not very good for your skin.
Katy
*straight, sorry.
andrea
haha, katy, i do the exact same thing… it gets addicting picking them out, doesn’t it?!
Jandy
Great article, I found it very informative…
I hate blackheads too!!
Laura
hey i hate them to, they are the one thing that makes me feel ugly. :( but i do have a great dermatologist who gave me a perscription called (Stievamycin) i’ve used it for a year now and it helped my skin improve so much it really made a difference. its stinks and can burn if you have dry skin, but just dont apply as much. its a gel that has tretinoin and erythromycin in it. i dont know what that is but its great!
Carrie
Great tips! I will definitely try a clay mask on my t-zone since the rest of my face is normal/dry. I completely agree with the comments about nose strips. They work to get rid of two or three blackheads, but when you have a lot, it really doesn’t make a difference; it just makes you fill silly to have paper on your nose. My only worry about this article is that accutane is recommended before trying microdermabrasion. Accutane should be the absolute last resort for any type of acne treatment, but especially blackheads. I took accutane for 6 months and it helped me get rid of my cystic acne, but not the blackheads. But the main reason, I would really recommend not using accutane is that there are many unlisted side effects with the prescription (not to mention all of the listed ones like suicidal ideation, depression, hair loss, among many, many more). I didn’t have any problems while taking accutane, but a month after stopping, i started having serious changes in my PMS which are actually characteristic of PMDD and can be extremely serious (vomitting, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, migranes). It’s horrible and I’m guessing that I will be dealing with these symptoms every month indefinitely.
Kalie
Thanks for the tips. I have horable black heads!
I’ve tried Clean and Clear blackhead clearing scrub but it didn’t help.
Clay masks really helped with my acne but not black heads.
BREEZY
I have the inbetween skin somedays oily and somedays dry! My skin is perfect except for my nose area! I have all these really little blackheads all over my nose! Ive tried proactiv and it made it worse! So i started to use pore strips by bior!they made my nose look better for awhile! Then i finally switched to clean n clear morning burst/detoxifying facial cleanser! Then a pore strip then clean n clear moisturizing lotion that doesnt clog pores! I do this every other day but use the lotion whenever needed!and when my skin is oily i use clean n clear astringent! And my skin is cleaner and my blackheads are smaller and arent black! And ive only been doing this for a week! I hope this helps because it did for me!
ellen
do not pick at blackheads! it does leave a gaping hole and some of them will never close up. I know this from experience, as I used to get them a lot more as a teenager and picked at them and I still have some scars. So just try to keep a clean face and be gentle with your skin.
Mark
take a steam shower it works everytime. the facial pours get clogged and the steam opens them up and the sweat cleans the out
Elaine
Carrie,
PMDD does not exist. It is not listed as a disorder in the DSM (the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Sounds crazy I know, we all experience it right? Well, not quite. The pharmaceutical companies produce advertisements to repackage an old drug for a new use, in this case they marketed Sarafem (which is pink coated Prozac) to treat PMDD. They remarket these drugs because its easier for them to find a new use for the drug, than to create a new drug which would take years to gain approval by the FDA. Also, advertising directly to the consumers, women will identify themselves with a disease that doesn’t exist and prod their doctors to prescribing it. What’s the point of this pill then? It may make you feel better, if you’re depressed. With extended use it will negatively affect the production of naturally occurring neurotransmitters in your brain that regulate mood. And well, most importantly the pharmaceutical companies make more money!
Here’s the article we studied in my premed/psychology classes. Read it for yourself: http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2002/07/disorders.html
If you are having those horrible problems (nausea vomiting etc), talk to your doctor. Get a correct diagnosis. Get a second opinion. And most importantly, feel better!
Amanda
I’ve recently started doing the oil cleansing method. . .I was skeptical about putting MORE oil on my face but even after the first time trying it I noticed a huge difference. Read what to do and the logic behind it here . . .http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/ Seriously you will be amazed! I am and have been struggling with blackheads for more than 10 years.
Karrie
Recently, I got so fed up with this one blackhead on my nose that I just spent around an hour trying to pop it. I hadn’t read this or any other FAQ sites, etc. before I attempted it. I’m worried that it will scar… You see, a while ago, I got the “beginning blackhead” as I call it— the kind that starts off small and more like a pimple than a real blackhead (it’s not an actual hole yet, is what I’m saying). I popped that and it reacted the way other acne would, except that it left a bigger spot than before! Now it was looking problematic. I didn’t do anything dramatic, but I did wash my face with Clearasil and wipe it off with the Clearasil cleansing pads for a month or so before I went to bed. A couple days ago I asked my sisters what I should do and both told me to either pop it or leave it alone. “HOW?!” is what I wondered! It’s a hole, not a bump, so how in the heck do you know when you’ve popped the little monster? I managed to squeeze it for a while but it only oozed a little (clear stuff) and caused any other 1st stage blackheads on my nose to pop. Now my nose is shiny and there is a little bit of glistening red skin around where the problem is. Any people with the same problem? I would really appreciate some help, here.
Thanks.
Elizabeth
great advice i think i am going to this.
Jake
Karrie, that is nasty! But I know where you’re coming from.
nina
i have no idea if it works, but i’ve heard of people using white glue (the kind from kindergarten) and using it as a mask over your blackheads, letting it dry and peeling it off, i guess it would be kind of the same as using the strips, but cheaper, so if you wanted to try it, its a cheap alternative.
I haven’t done it personally, but a friend heard about it one of those “diy skin care/make up tips” kind of things.
i have them on my nose, i try not to bother with them, mine arent horribly noticeable, they actually kind of look like freckles because there not really black, if im going out i just cover them up, i think i have given up, the only thing that has worked, is squeezing them, but they always come back. they are a curse. lol.
best of luck everyone!
Alyce
I’ve read so many articles about looking after black-head prone skin and they all said different things… I trust what this article says though, I’ve already found that clay masks help my skin a lot, so I’m going to take it one step further and try a salicylic acid exfoliator. I already drink a lot of water but I’m not so much a healthy eater.. Still working on that!
I just need to learn not to pick them – mine get worse after squeezing them, no matter what I do to sterilise the pore afterwards.
Thanks for the advice!
Sharra
I have a huge black head problem. I have them on my nose and chin and cheeks and back and chest. They are the most horoble things! Mine are huge you can see them from 5 meters away litteraly. Ive tried steaming my face each night for a couple of weeks. Ive tried pro active and all clean and clear and clearasil and avon products but nothing works. Can someone help me out here i would really appricate it
Nicole
I have terrible blackheads on my chin, nose and in between my eyebrows. they STINK. i believe i am getting the clean and clear blackhead eraser sometime this week. i hope that helps
Sabiha
i would not use retina A, as i was prescribed it and it completly dried out my skin skin on like day 3 of using it it took 2 week for my skin to return to normal (with me slathering hydating serums, tuns of cream and galllons of water), even now i notice my skin dries out where i had put the Retina A on.
Kayla
I’ve had asne and blackhead problems for as long as I can remember. My sister has beautiful skin but I was the chosen one to receive this curse. My mother makes fun of me for it and it really tears me down. I go through so many tubes of concealer to try and cover them up. It helps but I wish I didn’t have to in the first place. You see all of these beautiful women on tv that appear flawless and it just makes me feel worse about myself. I definately will try this and hope that it works. Thank you for taking the time to do this, it means a lot.
Kayla
oops, I meant acne =)
Mariah
I don’t have time to read all the comments, so if someone else put this sorry for the repeat…but here’s a great recipe to get rid of black heads!!!
1/2 Teaspoon Knox unflavored gelatin (should be available in the Jello aisle most likely sold on the top shelf above the flavored gelatins)
1 Teaspoon of milk
Stir together and microwave for 10 seconds to warm. Using a clean cosmetic brush (I use my foundation brush) apply the mixture somewhat heavily to your nose and chin avoiding your eyes. Wash out your brush right away so that it doesn’t harden and ruin the bristles. Let it dry for approximately 20 minutes to completely harden. Once its completely dry simply peel off the strip and voila…clean pores at next to NO cost at all!
that is from megsmakeup.com
samantha
thanks, i have had blackheads for a long long long time, and i have tried everything. when i do the mask, they seem to pop up again in the morning, sometimes they are gone but they come back again. it is so annoying and so embarrasing. i am going to try the heated face thing, and the popping, aha, that sounds gross, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Inna
DO NOT popp the black or white heads on your face, expecially nose!!! NEVER!!!
I used to do that all the time when I was younger. It would help for a while but black heads would always come back anyway.
But the worst thing is now, after years of doing all that popping, I damaged the skin on my nose and now it is covered with hippible RED thread veins and there is big RED spot (broken cappilaries). I hate myself for all that popping, it was stupiest thing to do. Tomorrow I am going to dermatologist for laser treatment !
Everybody should be extremly gentle with your skin. Also need to be careful if your wear glasses and sunglasses, they must not be too tight on your nose, it will cause broken thread veins or broken cappelaries.
Dominic
Awesome advice my mom and me just spent over like 2 and half hours trying to get a black head in my ear out. Do you know how painfull it is to have a black head in your ear?! IT HURTS, and the sad thing about this was we still didnt get it out. I will try that clay mask thing because my skin is super super oily.
Tanya
Wow.
i thought i was the only one experiencing this problem!
I never get to notice anyone who has it, or atleast not as bad as mine that it actually become noticeable.
My friends kept teasing me just because the ‘black dots’ in mi nose :(
Anyway, thanks for the post! I really like this site. So awesome.
Janice
I try b4,but my blackheads like it too deep that won’t come out…..
Even, I use the like metal that can take out the blackheads too, also can’t!
My nose really looks worst cause the blackheads is covering on!!!!!
Any suggestion for it??
Jojo
I found that the only way I get rid of blackheads is by using a seaweed mask from The Body Shop. I’ve tried other masks, I’ve used the clean and clear blackhead scrub, the biore strips, the st. ives blackhead clearing scrub, etc …. this is the only thing I found to work.
Thanks for addressing such an issue though! I always secretly hated people when they told me the biore strips worked for them! lol
Sofia
blackheads are my biggest skin problem, and it’s true, pore strips are useless. the best solution is to have a facial, they prick the blackheads out. nothing else ever works for me. don’t underestimate those little suckers, they’re actually very noticeable. my trauma moment was when my friend told me to use this cream because i had black dots on my nose. ever since, i’ve been getting a facial once a month.
James
Hello, I had a hard time with blackheads and I tried everything in the store and was prescribed a fix by my doctor which failed greatly. I then found Mary Kay online at http://www.marykay.ca/llafrance/ and within a week I found a major improvement. I have used and am using velocity which is a cleanser & exfoliant, 3 in 1 cleanser, moisturizer, bronzing cream, eye cream and several other body washes and creams that have rid myself of blackheads AND left my skin soft and glowing. Highly recommend to everyone as they have products for all skin types!
Ellie
Hey, Im kinda really stuck here, cos, basically, I (like the story here!) didnt think I had any blackheads, until my sister, who was looking over my shoulder one eem suddenly turned ehr head to look at my face, and said you’ve got nose blackheads, and I was like argh!? Cos they suddenly became really noticable ad I relasied I had HUNDREDS of them ALL voer my nose, down in the corners, etc, I have tried the trick with baking soda and wate,r on my nose, then follwed by a bit oif aloe er awhioch I use in palce of a mostoriser and it mostorises anyway apprm and I drink lotsa water etc. But can some1 PLEASE give me a tip, Ive tried the whole egg white, thing too and so far NOTHING has wrked, tried 2 pore strips, lol, but have vowed to not try them again a have read they rip your skin. I am….debating weather to try honey? Anyone ttrid this and had any luck?! Please reply, need help! xxxxxxxxxx
Teala
You guys should try an asprin face mask!
Asprin actually contains salicylic acid and it won’t ruin your skin. The great part is you can pick asprin up really cheap (Just make sure you get the uncoated stuff).
First wash your face and then all you need to do is sprinkle a few drops, and I mean only a few drops of water on about 3 asprin tablets and then mix it with some honey. The honey forms a glue but is also really good for your skin. Apply on your face and leave for about 15 minutes, when you wash it off, gently exfoliate at the same time because there will be little grainy bits from the asprin which will help lift out those blackheads. Once you’ve washed it off don’t forget to close your pores with some toner or ice and then moisturize. Your skin will feel super soft and look a lot clearer. I recommend you use it about once a week, I do and it’s helped me a lot!
Good luck guys and keep up the awesome blog!
lias
Thanks for the advice, hope it works. I didnt even know you could squezze blackheads. fingers crossed i can get rid of mine.
Sarah
Ive been reading all of the comments and its made me feel better that im not the only person with this problem. i hav loads of blackheads and i cant get rid of them. so im going to try and drink loads of water and detox and buying some good product that will hopefully work!
Charlotte
Hey, I’ve been reading almost everything and theres all this conflicting advice.
I’m 15 and I’ve got really bad blackheads they go all the way to the top of my head to the bottom of my chin everywhere. My mom and I have done almost evrything.
Steaming
Pore Strips
Honey mask
Egg mask
Clay mask
nothing gets rid of it and the only way now seems to be a very expensive treatment which we just do not have the money for . This is sad I know.Theres just no end to them.
Ellie
Im 13 and i have such terrible blackheads I often end up just staying inside all day with either a heap of makeup on or none at all, it really depends on how much my acne is showing. I have tried everything i can, my mom says that if i just leave them alone and keep washing my face they’ll go -obviously they wont, i find myself glued to the mirror all the time, picking at even the tiniest of impurities. Scrubs, washes, nothing seems to work on me. Am I immune to all types of treatment or something?! Aha I hope not, does anyone know if theres a cheap acne/blackhead cream that still works but thats not like $30 even though thats not really that much when you think about it, if it doesnt agree with my skin, I rather spend $5-$10. Thanks for the advice anyway though.
Oh and can i get the names of some Oil-free foundations, powders, acne concealers, and blushes please anyone? x
Elizabeth
thanks so much i am only 13 but ur advice helped alot and i am sorry about ur boyfriend pointing them out that had to of sucked i would have died but if he wouldnt have pointed them out you wouldnt have helped me so thanks so much!!!
stephanie
iam 13 years old and i have a ploblem with blackheads since i was 11! my mom says to put mexican sugar with lemon and scrub that will help the wash it but dont go out in the sun after you do it
Lana
First time I became extremely self-conscious about my blackheads is after one night of not scrubbing my face. It was at school and I met one of my friends at her locker and she was grabbing stuff, then turned to me quick all up close to say something. She looked at me and said “Whoa! Your nose looks like a strawberry with all those black heads”
I was sooo mortified!
I now religiously scrub my face. :P
Grace
hey i’ve got a question… when Cadi said to rub your nose with alcohol after squeezing your blackhead i was just wondering what type of alcohol i’m still quite young so i dont know what types of alchol to use so some one reply me please!!
Sarah
all i have to say is that ive been using proactive for months and i may keep pimples away but it does absolutly nothing for blackheads.
Gabbie
Great artical.
Contary to many of these replies,Biore strips work for me. Last night.. or the night before. (forgot.. XD) I used a Biore strip,kept it on for 15 minutes,took it off and it was amazing how many it removed. :)
Kathleen
Thank you for the advice. I’ve always been asking around on how to get rid of blackheads but always the same answer; eat well, wash your face with soap and water but all of that didnt seem to work but now I know the cure to my blackhead nightmare. Thanks alot.
Rene
I used to pick at them with my nails and did end up with some worse, more noticable blemishes because of it. just this morning i used the new neutrogena deep clean cleanser. then i used a blackhead removal scrub by neutrogena and i just kept scrubbing and scrubbing. all of a sudden, i had no more blackheads. which is amazing because ive been struggling with them for …forever! and now, just today, in one use, it is gone! amazing! im so happy.
Jessica
Amanda,
PMDD does exist and is included in the most recent version of the DSM-IVTR under the category, Depressive Disorder – not otherwise specified.
Also,
I use a Blackhead Removal Tool to get rid of my blackheads and it works great, especially on my nose where it can be hard to squeeze with my fingers. I usually use it after I take a shower so my pores are open. Years ago I tried to use one by Revlon, and it didn’t work well, but recently I got one by Japonesque from ULTA and it is amazing! I started by doing a small area each night until they were all gone. My nose is so much clearer since I started using it. =)
ANGELA0078
This is the best method for my skin and I’ve tried everything!
I read about using mineral oil and It worked incredibly. First, before any face treatment you attempt, steam your face to prepare the skin. My particular blackhead problem is difficult because I live in the desert and even so, dry skin is my genetics. So all the recommendations about the cleansers to clean out blackhead were just aggravating my skin.
I steam my face, with a washcloth or soft papertowel I massage in mineral oil especially where the blackheads are. The mineral oil softens the sebum and when I just wash my face the blackheads aren’t black anymore and my T-zone looks instantly better. This is a good time for the blackhead spoon; it wont drag and scratch your skin.After that, using a clay mask will draw more of the blackheads or sebum out. I use witch hazel as the astringent. Diluted apple cider vinegar works well too.
The rest of the problem is my big pores which will not get smaller if the blackheads do not come out.
My doctor wrote a prescription for a tube of .5% Retin-A. 1% is pretty strong.
I use the cream after everything else and before my moisturizer and sometimes to bed.
Eventually, the routine of softening the blackheads, the removal, and the cream will clean out my pores and allow them to shrink up pretty well.
I have tried every thing there is, even proactive to dermabrasion treatments and absolutely none of it works.
I was on my way to my first chemical peel at 31 because the blackheads could not be remedied. This at home process will certainly buy me some time.
The Retin-A cream also helps improve the appearance of fine wrinkles.
If you look closely in bright lights, after applying the cream, it will look like oil is rising from your pores. Kind of like when you microwave cheese. Its melting that schmeg jammed in your pores.
I do not use expensive face wash or lotion. Olay works best for me. Traditional wash and face lotion for sensitive skin. As far as makeup, I use bare minerals, never a liquid.
Anissa
never mess with blackheads on your nose. you will end up either having red spots or actually taking off some skin which will leave to scaring (experience) im experimenting with ways to prevent blackheads right now. i heard that actually shaving cream helps. (weird i know) u just pick out any shaving cream put it on the infected spot leave it on over night and rinse in the morning. im not sure if it will work
if i find a method that works really good i will be sure to let you guys know.
Fiona
My mum used to be a beauty theripist, and she seems to think that its okay to squeeze out the blackheads, as long as you do it properly. Clay masks and steaming both work, and for some reason ( idont know why as you would think that it would have the opposite effect), applying E45 cream each night. :s, anyone know why???
Megan
IM wondering,
i have a sauna in my house. Will that be good for spots and blackheads?
Mika
I’m 29 years old and I’m battling acne. I have never had it before has spent thousands of dollars on products that do not work. I’m so ready to give up..
My husband says that I’m beautiful no matter what. I want to feel the same way.
I just tried a new product by Neutrogena, its called Blackhead Eliminating scrub.
but its almost like it made my face worst. I am really lost here, and I know what works for some people may not work for others. I’m not trying to complain, I’m just wanting my clear skin back..lol
sdfsdfsdf
How do you close your pores after squeezing the blackheads out?!
Rebecca
Try Aspirin. Put two in your hand and a little bit of water (a little bit!) and a bit honey or aloe vera. Put the paste on your face, leave it for 15-20 minutes and massage it for 5 minutes and then wash it out. Don’t forget moisturizer.
Some people think this works. It might, but to me it just makes me backheads lighter and smaller, and makes my skin smooth like silk. But it might do miracles to some of you.
You can also try the cat litter thing. Google it, it’s a bit too complicated to re write ;P
rachel
i have really bad black heads around my nose which are hard to get at, and they are huge i also have spots that reoccur just as they go i have tried so many different things fro my blakcheads i have given up i tried facemasks, clean and clear, steaming, different scrubs, and oxygen NOTHING works i am 13 what can i do where can u find a dermatoloagist and has anyone tried one? do they work? x
Rachel
For the longest time, I’ve struggled with acne in general.. A few weeks ago, my face got better, as in: no more pimples! And right when that relief set in, so did the black heads… Picking is just so addictive, and painful. I’ve sat in the mirror I don’t know how long, maybe an hour or to and hour and a half. Just picking away! My hands just get so buisy, and in the end I feel terrible, because my face is so red, and just disgusting looking. My boyfriend, I love him to death, but I know he’s looking at my black heads.. My self confidence is terrible, and he tells me I’m beautiful, like, EVERYDAY, but I can never take his complement because of how embarassed I am about my problem… This will come in handy. Thank You!
Emma
I have a whole bunch of little blackheads… that i really don’t care about cuzzz you really cant see em… but then i have this one huge one!! my mom keeps on tryin to squeeze and im like oh my gosh you’re hurting me!! now i have a big red blob on the side of my nose, and it really stands out, but my skin is really sensative and peels when i use stuff especially made for blackheads…. well i am 13, but anyways its not goin away!! HELP!
Sammy Black Headers
I’ve got black heads on my and my name
Kelly
Yeah I just started to get blackheads a few months ago, and they really bug me! They’re small, but I hate them. This advice helped me because I had nooo idea what to do about them. I realize blackheads are normal for teens, but I just want flawless skin. Right now…I kind of have a long way to go lol. Hopefully this will help.
Lena
This was a great help. Strange to say I’ve had blackheads since i was in teh thrid grade (8 years old OMG!) they weren’t really noticeable till the 4th grade and a girl in my class pointed them out in the lunch line. It sorta laid low for the fifth grade and flared up and i had a buncha pimples around the sixth grade before i leaned how to pop them. I used a pore strip once in the sixth grade and learned how to pop and nows its pretty good cuz my skin is sorta tough
sierra
does this work? i really hope so im 13 and im about to go to high school well if i pass 8th grade but i want to work on myself before i go to high school one main problem is my blackheads and zits they cover my face so im going to try this and i really hope it works
Jamie : )
Ok well i just got my first balckhead and i have been trying to get rid of it!! i dont wnna pinch it cuz yall are saying it leaves scars….anyways HELP!!:)
:)
Hey! I am struggling with black heads that get about the size of a water bottle cap! Well okay not THAT big but I get them about the size of 2 centimeters, to the point were i can see the tips of them on my nose~ I picked one off today and it resulted in a hole!
HELP
btw : i have used : ponds, cetaphil,natural advantage and neutragena!
Paul
Thanks for very detailed information, I have been searching the Internet for a long time but this information is invaluable, because I’m tired of having blackheads. Also I found other websites that talk about this subject that could help supplement: RIDBLACKHEADS.BLOGSPOT.COM
kayla
OMG!my nose is filled with blackheads and im young so cant go buying all this stuff my friend sed rubbing acohol so im going to try tht let ya kno how it works:)
priscilla
I’ve had a problem with blackheads since puberty and I am 27 now. I don’t know if you have ever heard of Arbonne, but if you haven’t I just want to tell you it is amazing product. I have been using it for 2 years now and my skin looks and feels amazing. I use the Re 9 line and it not only gets rid of blackheads but it also makes your skin younger looking. It is very expensive product though but it’s worth every penny. Its not so much if you become a member. There are 5 steps to this line, the hydrating face wash, rejuvinating mist, renewal serum, a day and night creme, and the eye creme. This whole line totals to $367 from catalog, and $250 at member price and this line will last 9-12months. Well worth it!!!!
Lozza
I found that neutrogena’s blackhead eliminating daily scrub worked really well, after a day my blackheads were almost gone! but i use dermalogica medibac and i think the two were a bad mix, my skin came out with loads of spots after. If you’re using another set of products, try not to mix them :)
Great article by the way x x
Lisa
Good advice. Only thing I didn’t like is the cleaner, cetaphil cleaner. My derm. doctor told me to try it. I tried it but it burns. I like to use clean and clear cleaner. I had this problem since when I was 14. I’m 28 now and still fighting it. :(
Angie
I have this really great tip that works so well it’s crazy!
so, first, you cut up some tomatoes into cubes and freeze them.
then, once they’re frozen, you just rub them onto your face where ever you have blackheads.
then your blackheads will really be gone! forever!
it’s because of some acids in tomatoes that clean out your pores really well. i don’t really know how it works but i got it from a video on youtube. i started doing it when i was 15 and now i’m 26 and my skin looks great!
(but don’t use tomatoes if you’re allergic (; )
Ruth
I find using cornflour on your face? a thin llayer with a clean foundation brush is good.
It gets rid of the oil without drying your skin out?
It works well for spots and black heads, i am sixteen so obs have issues with my skin?
going on the pill has really helped out my skin as well.
I have to use clearasil now? as if i dont even for a day i break out like mad? but it really isnt helping, but i cant handle another breakout mentally so it’s just not good, does anyone have any reccomendations for that issue?
Lynn
If you find yourself obsessively picking out blackheads, check out: http://www.stoppickingonme.com/
Lolo
There is no cure but I have bad blackheads on my nose and this is what has helped. I have tried everything.. Use Mario Badescu Silver Powder rub in let dry. Shower scrub then use a noise strip. Also try a peel mask.. I Look for Asian products because they seem to know about blackheads and oily skin. I find things on EBay also look for black noise strips and lighting cream. If you can’t get them out die them the same color as your skin.. Good luck.
Gadzu23
If you have had skin problems for years and you need to get on top of them, there are a number of things you can do, especially in regards to how to remove blackheads.
First of all, if you’re someone who needs to know how to remove blackheads, realize that you’re not alone. A lot of people have this problem, men and women alike. And because they can get worse during hormonal swings, they can strike at any time during your life.
• Clean the skin with mild soap and water morning and evening. It is recommended that this routine is not carried more than four times a day, as it may dry out the skin significantly.
• Dry the face, back or pressure affected areas with a towel, never carving.
• Use the special cleaners for the face (astringent lotions) should have very oily skin, since only then is it possible to remove impurities that soap can not remove.
More information to RID BLACKHEADS on a website:
http://www.ridblackheads.blogspot.com
angel
Man i don’t no but i will give it a try and another thing, do have any like tips on how to get a flat belly and lose my love handles.