Posted by Kristin Miller on 25th Apr 2015
Ok first let's just all acknowledge that this is one of those icky things that most people don't really want to talk about (which also explains why there isn't a photo for this post...blech). But the fact is, many people suffer from blackheads and they can become quite a nuisance unless you know how to effectively treat them.
First, what are blackheads exactly? Blackheads form when tiny pores fill up with gunk like dead skin cells and sebum (skin's natural oil). This gunk gets trapped and forms a bump called a "comedone". The "black" in blackheads is not dirt, but instead its the comedone being exposed to oxygen. If it doesn't oxidize, a blackhead can actually be white or yellow.
So how can we treat blackheads at home? Luckily there are many effective ways, and in the end - it's best to use a combination of these if you'd like to keep your skin free of blackheads. And note that one of the most widely used "methods" is not on the list - and that is squeezing. I know it's tempting but it can actually leave your skin looking worse and can cause irritation and even infection. So just don't do it. Really.
Instead, here are 5 tried and true, effective ways to naturally treat blackheads at home:
So that's it! If you stick to these methods your skin will look clearer and pores will look smaller. If you find that there are times when you do just want to remove the ones you have, check out this video for recipes to make your own "Biore" style pore strips.
Here's to clear skin!
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