Don’t you just hate blackheads? They never seem to go away for long and can be a bit of an obsession for some people. But let me just say, unless you’ve got really dark, really large blackheads, chances are other people don’t even notice them.

That doesn’t mean they still don’t drive you nuts! I know I certainly can’t stand them. But fear not, there are ways to easily get rid of blackheads without squishing and squeezing them in front of the mirror. So before you run off popping blackheads, educate yourself first before making things worse.

Got Blackheads? Don’t Fret! How to Remove Blackheads Naturally

What are Blackheads?

Blackheads are basically just a buildup of dead skin cells and oil that has hardened and oxidized. This oxidation is what gives blackheads their dark color. The fact is, you can’t really prevent this oxidation from happening, but you can help prevent and get rid of them.

How to Get Rid of Blackheads Naturally

1. Exfoliation

I should start by saying that squeezing blackheads should be your last resort. If you don't do it right and use the right tools, chances are you're going to push bacteria and dead skin cells deeper into the pore which can result in a lot worse than a blackhead.

Instead, I suggest trying exfoliation first since it's one of the easiest ways to remove blackheads and prevent them from coming back in full force.

You can make a natural and effective exfoliant right in your own kitchen using simple ingredients.

Here’s my favorite recipe for exfoliating blackheads:

Milk and Cinnamon Facial Scrub

• Create a thin paste by slowly adding whole milk to ½-1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• Cleanse your face gently and rinse with warm water to help open your pores
• While your face is still wet, apply the paste in circular motions to your problem areas
• Massage into skin for at least 3 minutes (don’t be too rough!)

You can also use other “scrubby” ingredients like aluminum free baking soda and water, salt and lemon juice (do not use this one on open skin or go out in direct sunlight afterward), yogurt and sugar, olive oil and sugar, nutmeg and milk…. You can make pretty much any combination as long as it has a scrubby component.

Don't want to make your own? Get my favorite face scrub here.

Use an Exfoliating Cloth

One of my secret methods for keeping blackheads at bay is by using an exfoliating towel to very gently wipe them away while in the shower. This towel is great to use a few times per week and is one of my favorite ways to prevent blackheads. I also use it for preventing ingrown hairs as an added bonus.

Just remember to be gentle! We don’t want to create more pore-clogging oil or irritation by over-scrubbing.

2. Clay and Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

This is such an easy way to remove blackheads and you don’t need any fancy-shmancy ridiculously expensive clay like Glam Glow Clay to do it. All you need is a nice clay like Rhassoul, Kaolin, French Green, or Bentonite clay and a touch of apple cider vinegar.

• Mix equal parts clay and raw apple cider vinegar until smooth
• Spread over problem areas in an even layer
• Let dry completely (about 20 min)
• Rinse with warm water or use a nice warm washcloth to wipe away
• Follow with a swipe of diluted apple cider vinegar to close the pores (you can also use rose water, witch hazel, or strong green tea for this) I like using my DIY Green Tea Toner

3. Use Honey as Your Daily Cleanser

Honey not only helps prevent the growth and spread of acne-causing bacteria, it also helps prevent the discoloration of clogged pores. This greatly reduces the appearance of blackheads and helps soften them up for easier removal, not to mention honey is just awesome for your skin because it's a powerful humectant.

I recommend using 100% Raw Manuka Honey Active 16+ for its unsurpassed effectiveness at treating all forms of acne, but any raw local honey will do the trick.

Simply wet your face and massage a small amount of raw honey into the skin, then rinse. Repeat twice daily. You can even wear the honey as a mask before rinsing.

Keep in mind that honey will not remove makeup, so be sure to cleanse the skin of makeup beforehand.

4. Use Pore Strips

This method should really only be used when all else fails or you’re just in a pinch (like before prom, a wedding, an interview etc.). It’s a bit harsher than the other methods, so I only recommend you do this once a week at most, but it does get the job done.

Here are my articles on DIY Vegan Pore Strips and The Ultimate Pore Strip Secret.

How to Prevent Blackheads in the First Place

The rule of thumb here is to prevent further clogging and irritation of the skin.

• Using harsh cleansers or scrubs will only make pores larger and more prone to blackheads, plus, you’ll actually get blackheads faster if you’re too aggressive in your approach.

• Be sure to wash your pillowcase frequently (at least once a week) to keep bacteria and oil at a minimum

• Use a natural astringent like strong green tea, apple cider vinegar, or rose water after you wash your face to keep pores tight

• Keep oil at bay by keeping a tissue or blotting paper at hand for blotting throughout the day. Remember, blackheads are essentially dead skin cells and oil. Removing the oil will greatly reduce blackheads.

What are your tips and tricks? How do you get rid of blackheads naturally? please share in the comments below!

You may also enjoy reading:

How to Remove Blackheads Using Floss??
Could Jojoba Oil be Your Cure for Blackheads?
Essential Oils for Hormonal Acne

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