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Blackheads can litter the surface of the skin and make an otherwise clear complexion appear dirty and congested. These little black dots result from clogged hair follicles that are packed with pollution, grime, germs, dirt, dead skin cells and sebum resulting in a plug.
The black color comes from the oxidation of any excess oils jammed into the pores. These are most common on the cheeks and the nose, but they can pop up just about anywhere. The good news is that you do not have to live with blackheads and there are a number of remedies you can do right at home to help get rid of them.
Facial Steaming
Facial steaming is one of the best and fastest ways to remove blackheads. It works to drive the blackheads out by loosening them up so they come out of the skin. All you need is a pot with four cups of water with a lemon rind in it and a large towel. Bring the water to a boil and then remove the pot from the stove before steaming to prevent burning yourself.
Set the pot on a flat surface and place your face over the pot without actually touching it because the pot can be hot. Drape the towel over your head so that the steam stays in place and does this for three to five minutes. After steaming, wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat dry.
Egg White Mask
Egg whites help to tighten the pores to prevent blackheads and they help to treat current ones. Add some fresh lemon juice and honey to the mix because lemon is a natural astringent and honey is a natural antibacterial. These add a deeper level of cleansing and purifying to the already powerful egg whites. Enjoy tighter, deeper cleansed pores, oil control and excess oil elimination and the sloughing off of dead skin cells. One tip to remember is to not use more lemon juice than the recipe calls for because too much can cause irritation and redness that take time to go away. Take one teaspoon of honey, a fourth teaspoon of lemon juice and one egg white and mix these together.
Do a facial steaming session first to open up the pores and allow the ingredients to really get into the pores. After patting the skin dry, apply the mask to your skin using a circular motion and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. The mask will feel tight and this normal. To rinse it off, use warm water and after it is rinsed away use cold water to snap the pores shut. After patting the skin dry, apply a bit of moisturizer to replenish any moisture that was washed away.
Baking Soda Facial Scrub
Baking soda is a great natural exfoliator and it is able to drive impurities out, deep cleanse the pores and remove dead skin cells. Take one tablespoon of baking soda, three teaspoons of clean water and a half teaspoon of lemon juice and mix these together until you get a texture that is a little thicker than milk. Use clean fingers and a circular motion to gently scrub your skin and then use warm water to rinse it all away. Pat your skin dry and apply your favorite moisturizer.
Organic Honey
Organic honey possesses both antiseptic and antibacterial properties that help to rid the skin of impurities that cause blackheads. Honey is sticky so it really clings to the gunk and gets it out of your pores.
All you need is one tablespoon of organic honey and about two minutes to wash your face. Use a circular motion to gently scrub the skin, paying close attention to areas with blackheads and then rinse this away with warm water and pat the skin dry.
Green Tea Face Mask
Using a green tea face mask helps to purify the skin thanks to its high antioxidant content and it loosens up blackheads so they come out.
Create a mask with three teaspoons of green tea, one tablespoon of brown sugar and a half teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply this to the skin and make sure to pay attention to areas with blackheads. Allow the mask to stay on for 15 minutes and then use warm water to rinse it away and pat the skin dry.
Strawberry Face Scrub
Strawberries are loaded with alpha hydroxyl acids which make this delicious fruit perfect for removing blackheads. These acids control oil production and slough off dead skin cells. This helps to eliminate current blackheads and prevent new ones from occurring.
Blackheads are also unplugged and pore cleansed with the salicylic acid content of strawberries. Create a scrub with one teaspoon of honey, three ripe strawberries and a half teaspoon of lemon juice. Spend about three minutes gently scrubbing the skin using a circular motion and then rinse it away with warm water and pat dry.
