Top Tips for Treating Blackheads

Blackheads are a common skin condition that many people deal with on a regular basis. Though they can be annoying and unsightly, blackheads are actually quite harmless. They occur when sebum, the natural oil produced by the skin, becomes trapped in the pores and combines with dead skin cells and bacteria. This leads to clogged pores and black spots on the skin.

Causes of Blackheads:

There are many things that cause blackheads to appear on your skin, including:

Hormones: This is the most common reason for blackheads. Hormonal fluctuations and changes can increase the production of sebum, creating those pesky blemishes which we refer to as 'blackheads.'

Excess Skin Cell Production: Skin cells that are not sloughed off properly can combine with dirt and oil to create a blemish.

Bacteria: Skin cells that aren't sloughed off properly provide a safe haven for bacteria, which can lead to the development of acne. In particular, P acnes bacteria is responsible for causing blackheads.

Diet: Any changes in your diet can lead to changes in the production and composition of sebum. This is why so many people notice that their skin gets worse when they start consuming certain foods or drinks.

Genetics: Skin type plays a huge role in whether you'll develop acne, blackheads, or neither. If your parents had oily skin and lots of blackheads, there's a good chance that you'll have the same issues.

How to treat Blackheads

Treating blackheads can be done in a number of ways. The most effective method will vary from person to person and may include a combination of products and procedures, depending on how severe the condition is. Here we'll discuss some of the more popular treatments for banishing those pesky black spots:

Steam your face one or two times per week for 10-15 minutes. This opens the pores and relaxes them, making it easier for sebum to escape. It can also help unclog pores that are already clogged.

Take an aspirin or tums tablet and crush it into a fine powder. Add just enough water to make a paste. Spread the mixture on your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. The salicylic acid in aspirin is an effective treatment for blackheads, while the calcium carbonate helps to unclog pores.

Apply a clay mask to your face once or twice per week. Clay has natural absorbing properties that help draw out sebum from the clogged pore.

Use a facial scrub to remove any dry skin or build-up of dead skin cells. This can help keep pores from becoming clogged, to begin with. Exfoliating will also help prevent blackheads by keeping the pores clear of dirt and oil.

Wash your face morning and night with a gentle cleanser that's free of oil and harsh chemicals. Skin care products can actually contribute to clogging the pores and causing blackheads, so it's best to use only cleaners that will thoroughly clean your face and remove any dirt or excess oil without stripping essential moisture from the skin.

Use a moisturizer after washing your face daily. Skin that is too dry or too oily can contribute to blackheads. Using a Moisturizer that is non-comedogenic will help prevent getting those pesky blackheads on your face.

Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. Skin cells are composed of a good amount of water, so drinking lots of it every day ensures that new cells will grow and existing cells will stay healthy. Skin cells that are not hydrated properly contain too much sebum, which can lead to blackheads.

Don't pick or scratch the spots on your face. This can irritate the skin and possibly cause infections to develop. It also leads to uneven pigmentation of the area where you've picked.

Most Skin Care Products are not Good for Skin

Most of the face washes available on store shelves are filled with harsh chemicals which strip your skin off its natural oils and can even cause dryness or irritation. These chemicals also reduce the ability of your skin to naturally moisturize itself, leaving it more vulnerable to blemishes and blackheads.

Choose Skin Care Products that are Suited for your Skin Type

If you have dry skin, Facial wash filled with chemicals probably aren't a good idea because they will make your skin even drier and more susceptible to issues like blackheads. Instead, opt for a moisturizing facial cleanser or a Skin products.

As always, it's important to fully read the ingredients of any product you plan on using before purchasing it and applying it to your face. Ingredients are listed from most to least by concentration in the various منتجات للبشره (skin products), so if something has oil listed as one of the first four ingredients (meaning its concentration is high), steer clear!

Also keep in mind that not all ingredients which are 'good for your skin' actually penetrate it. For example, vitamins C & E is great at fighting off free radicals and preventing damage to the skin's surface, but it isn't very effective when applied topically because it doesn't get into your pores or reach the skin layers that are affected by most skin problems.