Acne is not just about red or pink spots. You can also get blackheads, a common form of acne, which are annoying dark-colored spots. They appear on the nose and other parts of the face, back or chest. It’s very tempting to squeeze them out, but it doesn’t help. You can also go to a clinic or salon to remove blackheads. But there are also natural ways. You can always try home remedies to get rid of blackheads. So it’s time to check your kitchen cupboards and look for ingredients to remove blackheads naturally.
What are blackheads?
Blackheads are scientifically known as open comedones, a type of acne lesion that often appears on the skin, says Dr. Blossom Kochhar, chairman of the Blossom Kochhar group of companies. It is formed when a hair follicle expands and becomes clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells. The reason why blackheads are dark in color is because when the pore is open to the skin’s surface, the clogged material is exposed to air. This causes it to oxidize and become dark in color.
Home remedies to remove blackheads
You can try over-the-counter products with salicylic acid, a powerful ingredient for removing blackheads. If not, you can try these home remedies for blackheads:
1. Multani mitti and orange peel
Mix multani mitti and orange peel well and use it to gently scrub the affected area. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Scrub gently and then wash your face with water. Multani mitti is known for its oil-absorbing properties, making it effective in controlling excess oil on the skin, says Dr. Kochhar. Orange peel contains vitamin C and citric acid, which can brighten skin, improve skin texture and reduce dark spots.
2. Baking soda with water
Mix baking soda with water to make a paste. Gently massage the paste onto damp skin. As you do this, concentrate on areas with blackheads. Leave the scrub on for a few minutes and then use warm water to rinse your face.
3. Sugar and lemon juice
Mix a tablespoon of granulated sugar with the juice of half a lemon. Combine the sugar and lemon to form a grainy paste. Gently massage it onto your skin and let it sit for five to ten minutes. Then rinse it off with warm water. The sugar granules help exfoliate, while the lemon juice can help brighten the skin.
4. Papaya, milk powder, lemon juice and rice flour
Mix papaya, milk powder, lemon juice and rice flour into a paste. Apply it to your face, scrub it gently, leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes and finally rinse your face with lukewarm water. Papaya contains natural enzymes such as papain, which can help break down and dissolve dead skin cells and excess sebum. This enzymatic action can further help clear up blackheads, says the expert.
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5. Scrub with honey and cinnamon
Mix a tablespoon of honey and half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder and wait until all the ingredients are mixed well. Apply this to your face, scrub gently and then leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing your face. Although honey has natural antibacterial properties, cinnamon can help improve blood circulation to the skin.
You can also try clay masks to draw both oils and toxins from the skin. This in turn will help unclog the pores and gradually help remove blackheads.