Photo: JackF (Getty Images)
We are all well aware of the reality: blackheads are nasty, ugly and extremely annoying, no question about it. While it’s really hard to run into somebody who has never battled with these skin imposers which means that others most definitely share our pain, we would still give whatever it takes so that other people don’t notice them on our faces or bodies when we let them get close to us. In order to figure out some of the most successful yet simple ways to get rid of blackheads, we must first take a closer look at what they actually are. Knowledge is the key of every strategy for solving complex problems, so let’s arm yourself with facts that can help us keep blackheads at bay!
What Exactly are Blackheads?
Blackheads happen to be a mixture of fatty deposits, dead skin cells, various debris and certain bacteria that block your pores and prevent them from getting rid of all this unhealthy waste. The mix gets harder over time and your pores do their best to push it towards the skin surface. Once the waxy matter gets exposed to the air, the oxidation begins and turns the outer portion of the wax black – this is why our tiny enemies were called blackheads in the first place. They are deeply rooted in your pores, which is why it isn’t so easy to perform the blackheads removal. If you’ve ever tried squeezing blackheads (and the odds are that you have, even if you don’t want to admit it), it probably happened that you managed to extract just the top parts, or wax plugs simply refused to come out at all, which made you press harder and harder until your skin started breaking out. If you don’t want to irritate or damage your skin the next time you spot a blackhead or two on your face or back, try out some of these effective solutions to your problem.
1. Use Salicylic Acid to Get Rid of Blackheads
Salicylic acid doesn’t act as quickly as benzoyl peroxide products which destroy acne-causing bacteria faster and more efficiently, but at least it doesn’t leave your skin swollen, red and dry while you only wanted to eliminate one ugly looking dark spot that irritates you so much. Try out Clean&Clear Blackhead Clearing Daily Scrub – it can cleanse your pores, exfoliate the skin and target bacteria deposits in your pores. It promises visibly less blackheads in just 3 days.
Photo: Amazon
2. Try Using Pore Strips to Get Rid of Blackheads
Pore strips are very simple way to cleanse your skin and unclog the pores, recommended even to those with sensitive skin or people prone to allergies. You can easily press them onto that part of the skin where the blackheads are and once you strip them off, you’ll pull the waxed matter out of the clogged pores as well. It is said that they work better if you manage to soften the deposits before the application of pore strips, so you might consider using a cream with salicylic acid during several days prior to sticking the strips to your skin and starting the process of blackheads removal. Test famous Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips to see if they can meet your needs!
Photo: Amazon
3. Consider Retinoids When in Doubt How to Get Rid of Blackheads
Retinoids promote skin smoothing and target pigmentation issues. You can visit a dermatologist and get yourself a prescription for a cream containing vitamin A, such as Retin-A or Differin gel, which are believed to be successful both when it comes to dealing with existent blackheads and preventing new one ones from getting formed inside your pores. Prescription formulas promise better exfoliation, but sometimes they appear to be too harsh on delicate or sensitive skin. The good news is that even if your skin doesn’t tolerate well prescription product, you still don’t have to give up on vitamin A – low-strength retinoids, such as Olay Regenerist Intensive Repair Treatment can still do an amazing jobs for the blackheads. It will also add moisture to your skin and combat some of those nasty wrinkles, so it is definitely worth trying out.
Photo: Amazon
4. How to Get Rid of Black Heads by Using Blackhead and Blemish Remover Kit
Maybe you don’t want to try different scrubs, cleansers and creams because it takes time, perseverance and money to achieve good results – if you’re looking for a completely simple and immediate way for instant eradication of those hideous blackouts, try getting yourself a pore extractor. It’s a fairly cheap tool that serves as a healthier substitute of squeezing blackheads out with your fingers – you’ll achieve the same results without risking to infect your blackheads with bacteria hiding under your fingernails, plus you won’t tear your skin. Basically you just need to press that tiny hoop located at the end of the remover against the area around your clogged pores and if you manage to apply the right amount of pressure at the exact spot, the trapped sebum will come out to the surface ready to be removed. Test one of the best dermatologist approved blackhead extractors, Equinox International Blackhead and Blemish Remover Kit and see if it suits you!
Photo: Amazon
5. Steam Those Blackheads Out to Get Rid of Them
Steam is a simple and natural aid for softening those fat deposits in your pores which can help them come out more easily. All you need is a large bowl of steaming hot water and a nice, soft towel. Lean over the bowl filled with boiling water for 5-10 minutes, taking care that you don’t get too close to it in order to avoid burning yourself. Gently dry your face and wipe away any loosened blackheads with the clean towel afterwards. It is recommended to moisturize your face after this process as usual and repeat it several times a week in order to balance the production and release of sebum. While this process isn’t an instant solution for old existent blackheads that once softened will probably need some extra help to be pushed out of the pores either by stripes, salicylic acid or mechanical extractors, it surely is something to incorporate in your weekly routine if you want to prevent future skin problems and solve them more easily.
Photo: Colin Anderson (Getty Images)
What is in your opinion the best way to get rid of blackheads? Tell us all about it in the comments section!
