HelpGetRidOf.com

Blackheads are caused by an unclean skin surface, oil deposits, and pollutants as well as hormonal changes during menstruation or pregnancy in women, humidity, stress, and using oil-based products on your skin, which clog your pores.  When the built-up oil is unable to flow to the surface of the skin due a misshapen or impaired pore and dead skin cells are blocking the way, the pore is open and the oil is exposed to oxygen, which reacts and turns a dark color, resulting in a blackhead.

Hormones also play a role in increased oil production.  An increase in androgens (male hormones increases the natural production of oil in your skin causing more oil to build up in the pores, forming blackheads.
 
PREVENTION AND TREATMENTS
You can prevent blackheads by not using make-up or other skin products that are oil-based.  Look for natural products that are water-based.  Women should try to wear less make-up and if they must, then they should use powder in place of foundation.

Don’t consume as many oily foods – cut back on them and drink plenty of water.

Wash your face twice a day using a mild facial cleanser.  Don’t use bar soap on your face.  The ingredients that hold soap in a bar form can clog the pores in your skin, can cause skin cells to flake off prematurely and clog the pores.  If you have dry skin, you will need a cleanser with a bit of moisturizer – look for oil-free!  Too much moisturizer can cause oil build-up and more blackheads.

Use a clay mask on your face once a week to help reduce the amount of oil on your skin.  Use a clay mask that does not contain mint, peppermint, or other irritating ingredients.  Twice a week use a gentle exfoliator on your skin; read the instruction on the product package – over use can end up drying out your skin.  By exfoliating, you are removing dead skin cells that cause blackheads.  Oil-absorbing papers also help to reduce the oil in your pores.
 
If your skin is normally dry – don’t use a clay mask.  Blackheads are caused by the oils in the pores – not on the skin.  Dry skin needs moisturizers – oil free.  Cleanse your face and use a mild exfoliator.

Launder your pillowcases regularly.  Since you are constantly shedding dead skin cells and dead skin cells are part of the cause of blackheads, keeping your pillowcases clean will help prevent the problem.

Many want to pop their blackheads.  This is not a good thing to do because by squeezing blackheads your are irritating the skin.  This can lead to bacteria setting in and causing pimples and can lead to acne problems.

There are facial scrubbing brushes that can be purchased.  These brushes have very soft bristles and will not do any damage to the skin, but when used to scrub the face (by making small circular motions all around the face) it cleans the pores and removes all the dirt.

If you are a make-up wearer – remove all make-up before washing your face.  You want your facial cleanser to cleanse your face and do its job – you don’t want it to muck up with your make-up and not cleanse your face.

Drinking water is excellent for the skin.   So is plenty of fresh air, and avoiding stress.  In this day and age it’s hard to avoid stress, but daily mediation is very beneficial.

Watch your diet -  you are what you eat.  And eating junk foods is not good for your body.   Stay away from sweets and refined sugars.  Stay away from carbonated beverages – even the diet ones – they are murder on your skin.

Drink more herbal teas – less caffeine is better for  you as well.

Allow your skin to breath!  Don’t wear make-up all the time.  And if you have to wear make-up to work – remove it when you get home.  After removing your make-up, cleanse your face and use an oil-free moisturizer.  Enjoy dinner and a nice walk n the fresh air.

Exercise is excellent.  So is practicing yoga and meditation.

If you have blackheads, remember – you don’t need a strong facial cleanser to clean your face.  A mild cleanser is easier on the skin and if used properly twice a day will do an excellent job.

There are blackhead removal strips on the market.  Read all instructions on the product package carefully.  I don’t particularly care for these – in my opinion they can damage the skin and make the pores bigger to attract more dirt, oils, and pollutants.  I also feel they don’t entirely remove the complete blackhead.  Why should your use a strip on blackheads and also damage healthy skin?  These strips are difficult to remove – repeated use will end up damaging the skin and causing more problems.  And I also do not believe in those “vacuum” blackhead removers and blackhead extractors for the very same reasons.
 
Always use warm water on your face and skin.  Warm water will open the pores for cleaning.  Rinse your face with cool water to close up the pores.

Wash your hands more often – the bacteria from your hands is easily transferable to your face and can create blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and acne.

Drinking water and fruit juices will keep the skin hydrated and will also keep your pores dirt free.  This will also prevent you from getting other skin infections.

Always use clean wash cloths and towels on your skin and never use wash cloths or towels used by someone else without laundering them.

Try making a paste of water and radish seeds; apply to blackheads and allow to dry; wash off.  You can do the same with curd and black pepper.  Combine one tablespoon of black pepper with some curd; apply and let dry 10 minutes; rinse off completely using cold water.  Or make a paste from fenugreek leaves and water.  Green tea facial scrubs are effective.  Make a paste from ground cinnamon and lime juice or turmeric powder and coriander leaves.

Using two to three tablespoons of plain yogurt combined with one to two tablespoons of oatmeal, one to two tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of lemon juice is another treatment for blackheads.  Apply and let dry; rinse off with cold water.