Skip to content

How to Get Rid of Blackheads?

Blackheads wreak havoc on your complexion and be a pain to get rid of. But with a little understanding of exactly what they are and what to do about them you could be on your way to clearer skin in no time. 

What are blackheads?

Before you start trying to cleanse your skin of blackheads it helps to know what they are. The technical term for a blackhead is an open comedone. They are an oxidized combination of dead skin cells and oil in the pores which have been exposed to air, turning them black. Blackheads are visible because the hair follicle has become clogged with the cells, oil and bacteria which makes a large opening at the surface of the skin as it’s pushed up. 

What’s the difference between a blackhead and whitehead?

Whiteheads are essentially the same thing as blackheads it’s just that they have a very thin layer of skin over the top meaning they don’t hit the air and turn black.

Should I squeeze my blackheads?

No, absolutely not! By squeezing your skin not only are you irritating it you’re encouraging more dirt and germs to enter the pore. As tempting as it is you can cause permanent scarring by doing it yourself by forcing the contents of the pore deeper down.

How do I treat my blackheads?

If you have persistent or severe acne you should visit a dermatologist to find out the most effective professional treatment. However, there are plenty of natural ways you can shift pesky blackheads and stop them forming in the first place too. 

Bentonite clay mask

A clay bentonite mask draws out impurities and blackheads from your pores. You can mix your skin healing clay powder with water to make the mask, but apple cider vinegar has been shown to be more effective. Your skin will feel tight as it dries but you’ll likely love the results when used a couple of times a week. 

Lumity’s 4-in-1 cleanser

While you might be tempted to layer your face with as many harsh acne-fighting products as you can to rid your skin of blackheads, doing this will dry out your skin and cause it to produce more oil in the process. 

It’s imperative you cleanse your skin to avoid build-up in your pores, but you don’t want to use a chemical cleanser which can make it worse. So what facial cleanser is best for blackheads?

Lumity’s Nutrient-Rich Skin saviour 4-in-1 Cleanse is 100% natural and doesn’t just cleanse, it removes makeup, gently exfoliates and works as a face mask too.

Exfoliate 

If you let dry skin cells build up, then your skin will pay the price. It’ll not only look dull it’ll leave it prone to blackheads.

While you don’t want to exfoliate too much because it can irritate and dry out your skin, Lumity’s 4-in-1 cleanser exfoliates gently with biodegradable jojoba beads so you can use it every day, twice a day.

Eat soup

We’re not talking about cracking open a tin of store-bought tomato soup, but by whipping up a bowl of celery-based soup for lunch and dinner every night for five days, you’ll clear your skin right up. French women swear by the recipe which is packed not only with celery but plenty of other vitamin loaded vegetables too. 

Moisturise

It can be tempting to avoid the moisturising stage of your skincare regime when you have oily skin or are prone to blackheads, but as we mentioned before, you don’t want to let your skin dry out. 

Consider using an oil instead of a cream, like Lumity’s Skin Nutrients Facial Oil which works with all skin types and both balances and moisturises. 

The 32 ingredient, hydrating oil feeds your skin with what it needs to stay plumped up, smooth and nourished and it’s lightweight too. 

Wash your pillowcase

Bedding can be a breeding ground for bacteria, dead skin cells and oil which can lead to more blackheads. So, to help avoid them in the first place make sure your pillowcase and other bedding is cleaned regularly.

Have a facial

A professional facialist can extract blackheads the right way and without using dirty fingers or tools which spread more grime and bacteria. They know exactly how to prep your skin and treat it the right way. 

Read more

The Best Cleansers for Dry, Sensitive Skin

The Best Cleansers for Dry, Sensitive Skin

When you have dry or sensitive skin or a complexion which is both, you might be inclined to shy away from any skincare product which could make the condition of your skin worse - including a clean...

Read more
12 Wise and Inspiring Quotes About Ageing

12 Wise and Inspiring Quotes About Ageing

It might be difficult to embrace the ageing process, but in an era where getting older should be considered a privilege we thought we’d bring positive ageing to the forefront with these inspiring ...

Read more