Unlike acne, wrinkles, scars and other skin issues, blackheads are much much much harder to treat and they can be very tricky too! No matter how well you take care of your skin, they just show up and the worst part is you can’t really see them most of the time! It is annoying but the good news is our dedicated team at Beauty Insider has managed to find not one but 15 home remedies for blackheads that are scientifically proven to help reduce your blackheads. Before we get to that, here’s a myth about blackhead that we want to break. 

Although people who have oily skin are more vulnerable to blackheads, anyone can get them. In general blackheads form when pores become clogged with dead cells and excess oil (sebum) from your sebaceous glands. Unlike whiteheads and pimples, which create closed pores, blackheads have open surfaces. The open surface will create oxidation that is dark in colour, which is why they’re called blackheads! Our home remedies for blackheads can not just help treat those stubborn blackheads but also help repair those damaged skin in no time!

1. Mix Baking Soda With Water To Form a Paste

One of the most underrated home remedies for blackheads, baking soda is super effective in eliminating blackheads. It can help to neutralize any pH imbalance your skin may have, as well as work as an exfoliant to remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells. All you got to do is just mix two tablespoons of baking soda and two tablespoons of water to form a paste. Then, massage the paste onto your face and let it on your skin for 15-20 minutes. Lastly, rinse it off with warm water and make sure to moisturise afterwards. You have to moisturise because baking soda can dry out the skin!

2. Exfoliate using Brown Sugar, Honey and Lemon

If you don’t know, now you know brown sugar is a great homemade exfoliator! Mix it with a tad bit of honey and lemon juice and you have the best exfoliator for blackheads that you can use on your nose and chin. Brown sugar is known to clear away dry and dead skin cells. Whereas, honey can help give you a more youthful glow. Lemon, on the other hand, has anti-bacterial properties and glycolic acid that keeps your skin radiant and healthy. The combination of these three ingredients can create a strong exfoliator that can chase away all impurities! 

3. Apply Turmeric As A Face Mask Twice a Week

Turmeric is the holy grail ingredient for all sort of skin issues. Rich in antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can be used to help remove blackheads super effective. It is also one of the most common ingredients in many households which makes it one of the best home remedies for blackheads ever! All you got to do is just two one tablespoon of turmeric powder and mix it with water. Apply it on your face and rinse it off a few minutes later. For a faster and speedy result, add a teaspoon of coconut oil to the paste. Coconut oil ideal for clearing up those extra greases from the skin!

4. Make an At-home Pore Strip Using Milk and Honey

One of the most popular ways to get rid of blackheads on your nose is using pore strips. Most of the ones sold in stores are expensive but fret not because you can make your own one at home! In fact all you need two basic ingredients,  milk and honey. These two ingredients are super effective in treating blackheads because milk has lactic acid, which helps remove dead skin cells and oil, while honey is antibacterial. To make your own pore strip, mix one tablespoon of milk with one tablespoon of honey and heat it for about 10 seconds. Then, let the mixture to cool down and apply it to the affected areas. Once it has dried, gently peel it off!

5. Sip a Cup of Green Tea Once A Day

Why Your Green Tea Is Bitter, and How to Solve It (With images ...

This is most probably the easiest home remedies for blackheads, just sip on a cup of warm soothing green tea at least once a day to get rid of those nasty blackheads. Green tea can help decrease your skin’s oil production and it works as a great antioxidant that can detox all things bad from your system. In most cases, it is poor eating patterns and lifestyle that often lead to acne, blackheads and such! If raw pure green tea is too bitter for you try adding a teaspoon of honey to the tea. It will add that extra sweetness that the tea lacks. Alternatively, you can mix dry green tea leaves with one teaspoon of water and massage it into the affected areas for a few minutes and rinse it off! 

6.  Scrub Your Body Using Coconut Oil and Sugar

Coconut Body Scrub Recipe | Sugar Scrubs | Cultured Palate

Ok, though blackheads most commonly appear on your chin, nose and around your mouth but did you know that blackheads can occur on your body, too?! Yes, that is why it is important to exfoliating your skin to get rid of dead skin cells. We know that there are many body scrubs sold in stores but it is better to make one yourself at home. Just make coconut oil and sugar, and then apply it all over your body, Gently scrub and rinse it off! Not just can it help get of blackheads but can also keep your skin soft and smooth!

7. Cleanse Your Face with ProductsThat Has Salicylic Acid

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Salicylic acid is the best ingredient for blackheads because it breaks down the materials that clog pores: excess oil and dead skin cells. So, if you want to get rid of those stubborn blackheads fast then use a face wash that is packed with salicylic acid as it can help remove these elements in addition to daily dirt, oil, and makeup. Make sure to wash your face twice a day and remember to moisturise! However, if you have sensitive skin then you may want to consider using it at night and use your regular cleanser in the morning. Salicylic acid is a very potent ingredient so it does cause you any irritations, discontinue use immediately!.

8. Include More Tomatoes in Your Diet

Marinated Tomato Salad with Herbs Recipe | Cooking Channel

Another one of the most popular home remedies for blackheads is tomatoes. They are rich in vitamin C and A and are packed skin brightening, oil-absorbing and pore shrinking properties. This is especially good for people with oily skin as tomato pulp effectively clears out the extra grease without being harsh. Just add more tomatoes to your meal or if you’re not a fan of the fruit just cut a few round slices from tomato and rub it on your skin. Alternatively, you can also make a juice out of tomato! 

9. Don’t Ever Sleep with Your Makeup On

Don't Do It Again GIFs | Tenor

Many of us are guilty of doing but it is super duper harmful to the skin. No matter how tired or drunk (HAHA) you are never ever sleep with makeup on as it is like asking for more blackheads. This is because most makeups if left on overnight can clog your pores. Plus, makeup left on overnight can make your skin more oily and more prone to blackheads. We know after a long day you just want to sleep, but just get you ass up and make sure to completely remove your makeup then you can sleep tight knowing your skin is clean!

10. Sleep On Clean Pillow and Cases 

Last but certainly not least in our best home remedies for blackheads list is pretty simple just make sure your pillow, the case, blanket and bed are clean! Most of us tend to ignore the cleanliness of our sleeping area but it the most important area that needs to be clean if not all the oil and dirt from your face can get rubbed on pillowcases and bedsheets. If you don’t wash them regularly it can lead to accumulation of grime which can get transferred to your face and clog pores, encouraging blackheads. So, keep your pillowcases fresh and clean as often as possible! 

11. Vaseline & Cling Wrap

One tip to help remove blackheads was popular a few years back. This trick involved using just four things! Vaseline, cling wrap, a Q-tip and a warm towel. It’s said to help remove blackheads with everything you have at home! First, apply some vaseline all over your nose, then cover it with cling wrap. Next, steam it with a hot towel to help enlarge the pores. Lastly, just rub everything off with a Q-tip!

12. Benzoyl Peroxide

Another way to get rid of blackheads is by looking for the ingredient benzoyl peroxide. This ingredient has the benefit to help dissolve dead skin cells as well! This ingredient helps get to the root of your problem and can also be a topical treatment. Although, it is not recommended to apply more than the recommended amount on the packaging.

13. Steaming

Another easy remedy only consists of one thing. Hot water. This is an easy remedy as you can just stand over your pot when boiling water. Steaming your face helps open up all the pores. You can usually steam for 15 to 20 minutes and after that, just use a Q-tip to gently swipe away!

14. Chemical Peels

Next up, you can opt for a chemical peel. Products such as The Ordinary AHA BHA Peeling Solution can be used as a chemical peel. It helps chemically exfoliate the skin and might have a burning sensation sometimes. Some ingredients in chemical peels contain salicylic, retinol and glycolic acid. 

15. Moisturise

Lastly, don’t forget to moisturise! Moisturising your skin is crucial and doesn’t matter what type of skin you have. It’s always important to moisturise your skin so it doesn’t dry out too much. For example, if you use a lot of products and they are quite drying, you should definitely moisturise.