Blackheads are a mixture of oil your skin makes (sebum) and dead skin cells. This mixture fills up the pore of your skin. When it makes contact with air (oxygen) the “head” turns black.
Blackheads could be caused by using skincare products that dry out your skin too much, increasing natural oil production causing your pores to clog.
If you don’t follow a basic skincare routine like washing your face in the morning, evening and after exercise to remove a build-up of excess oils, make-up particles, bacteria and dead skin cells. When you are stressed or anxious your skin can produce more oil and cause a build-up in the pores.
Men have oilier skin, because it is thicker, and this can cause their skin to have more blackheads. Bacteria and dead skin cells accumulate on one’s beard.
Hormonal imbalances could cause an overproduction of oil in skin. This happens during teenage years, menstruation or when taking birth control.
Control blackheads
. Change pillow cases two to three times a week. It can help prevent pores clogging with bacteria, dead skin cells and oil in hair products. . Don’t remove your blackheads, for it can cause inflammation and scarring. . Wash your face in lukewarm water. If the water is too hot your skin can dry out and produce more oil. . Avoid using aftershave. The alcohol irritates and dries out your skin and increases chances of breakout.. Mix one part apple cider vinegar and two parts water. Apply with cotton and rinse off. It will rebalance your skin and help clear out clogged pores. . Use a lightweight or oil-free moisturiser to stop your skin from making too much oil. Mix glycerine (1 tbsp.) and rose water/tap water (2 tbsp.) to keep skin hydrated. Don’t use anything that will make skin oilier. . Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to remove the build-up of dead skin cells and clear out clogged pores. Make a paste with lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda, glycerine and bicarbonate of soda (for sensitive skin) and exfoliate. . You can buy a mask to clear out your pores further with ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and fruit enzymes. This can help remove excess oil build-up and dead skin cells. Otherwise, you can use a DIY mask like the one below.
Peel-off mask for blackheads: Beat one white egg until stiff. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice. Apply the mixture with a brush. Place one ply of toilet paper to the brushed area. Apply the mixture again. Add one more layer of toilet paper. Leave it for 30 minutes or until it is completely dry. Peel off the mask slowly. Repeat if necessary.
Tips: Exfoliate the skin before putting on the mask to get better results. Do a patch test on a small area to see how your skin reacts to the ingredients. Add ½ teaspoon of turmeric for extra help.
