How To Get Rid Of Blackheads?

One of the most common skin problems is that of blackheads. Blackheads are the small dark spots that appear on the skin surface.It's a common skin concern among women of all skin types, especially those with oily skin. Blackheads generally occur on the nose, chin,cheeks and forehead.

Formation of Blackheads

Blackheads are formed when follicles are blocked with sebum and dead skin cells. Sebum, the natural oil particles within the skin usually drain to the surface and stay blocked in the skin pores.. This hardened mass present in the ducts or sebaceous glands is what is reffered to as a blackhead.

At first, the blackhead is white. This is when it is very small and even invisible to the naked eye. This is because the sebum, dead skin and bacteria are trapped inside the skin cells. When the sebum opens to the surface partially and becomes visible, it is termed as a blackhead. The open part turns black because of melanin, the skin pigment.

Treatment and Removal of Blackheads

If you want to prevent the occurrence of blackheads and remove the existing ones, you would need to follow a strict skin care regimen and make sure your skin is clean and moisturized. Here are some tips to help get rid of blackheads.

Wash your Face Thoroughly

The first step towards preventing and getting rid of blackheads is by ensuring that your face is squeaky clean. Use a good cleaner that deep cleanses your face and use tepid water to wash your face. Wash your face twice a day- once in the morning and once at night before going to bed. While it's advisable to use tepid water to wash your face, make sure you rinse off the cleanser with cold water. This is because cold water closes down the skin pores and prevents the entry of any dirt and debris. However, don't over wash your face as it might lead to excessive dryness.

Steam your Face

Treat your face to steam or warm your skin with a warm compress of water. Hot steam opens up your skin pores including the ones that contain hardened sebum particles. This makes it easier to remove the blackheads and clean your face.

Exfoliate

Exfoliation scrapes off dead skin cells and excessive oil particles from the face and prevents them from clogging the skin pores. Ideally, exfoliate your face two to three times a week in order to get rid of blackheads and prevent their formation altogether. However, do not over-exfoliate your face as it canstrip off the natural oils of your skin. Apply the exfoliator all over your face in round circular motions. Exfoliation not only sheds the outer skin layer but also encourages the new healthy cells to grow from underneath.

Product Suggestions:

Nia 24 Physical Cleansing Scrub - This is a gentle scrub that removes dead skin cells and improves the skin tone and skin texture. It contains Pro-Niasomes that wash away visible imperfections caused by the sun and aging and help prevent further skin damage Physical Cleansing Scrub is non-comedogenic, fragrance and color free.

Use Appropriate Skin Care Products

Make sure all the skin care products that you use cater specifically to your skin type. In addition, ensure that they are non-comedogenic. Non-comedogenic skin care products are the ones that do not clog the skin pores and thus help prevent the formation of blackheads and whiteheads.

Dr. Marilynn Syrett is a professional skin care expert and has valuable experience in reviewing skin care products. She has written about several Anti-Aging skin care products from popular brand names including Clayton Shagal and NIA 24.