How to Get Rid of Blackheads?

Hi, I have very oily skin and the same problem. I use pore cleaning strips. Biore do them, as do T-Zone. They physically remove blackheads like magic! You have to wait until they're completely dry before removing, about 15mins. I use them twice a week and follow with a toner that has either witch hazel or salicylic acid (Biore again). Blackheads reduce over time.

Exfoliation is key. I was told by a beauty therapist that for oily skin to use exfoliators with granules stimulates the skin to produce MORE oil, which we dont want. Use one that has acids, like alpha-hydoxy (AHA's) or salicylic. Acid dissolves dead skin cells for removal without stimulating more oil production.

What works for me is to get the stuff out individually and then use tea tree oil on each spot. It dries it up and "disinfects" without drying out the skin (like alcohol), so it doesn't mess up the balance. I've noticed that it actually improves the balance on my face, evening things out.

I think all the suggestions are great temporary fixes. Might I suggest looking for the cause? I have super oily skin and have always had a propensity toward blackheads - until I changed my diet. I'm not saying that those few stubborn deep blackheads don't continue to reappear ... but those zones of little blackheads do not.

What did I do? I started by reducing the chemicals in my skin care. The first products I tried was Arbonne, which made amazing changes in my skin, but crazy expensive and a bit inconvenient to buy. I have since found higher quality, truly chemical-free, and crazy cheap skin care. I use Dr. Woods Shea Black Soap on all my skin, head to toe. I pay $7 for a 32 oz bottle that lasts me about 3 months. Buy it online ... I haven't checked Whole Foods as my online source is always cheaper.

And I buy mineral makeup online ... let me just say that Bare Minerals is the most expensive and it's still cheaper than Mac - and best yet, chemical-free.

And I tossed my chemical-laden Bath & Bodyworks lotions. I still love the scents - but not on my body! You cannot assume that just because it's at Whole Foods, it is even reduced chemical load. I have spent hours reading labels in WF, and found they care very few chemical-free lines. Avalon (some), Hugo, Kiss My Face, Jason (some), Burts Bees.

I love perfume, but it doesn't get on my skin. A few spritz on my clothes before I put them on, and I'm good for the whole day.

Then I reduced the sugar in my diet (including milk) - to 1/10 of before - by reading labels and reducing how much I add to drinks. I will surprise you what they put into premade food; I quit eating premade foods. I fell in love with Alton Brown, who explains cooking in such a way that I couldn't wait to try new recipes. Also, FoodNetwork.com has an online recipe box.

If you don't take vitamins, start. I have always taken vitamins, and recently have learned alot. All vitamins are not the same. Beware that high cost does not equal high quality in the vitamin world. Unless they are completely bio-available supplements (no neon pee), they are a waste of money. I buy mine from my chiropractor; I haven't found better quality or a better price.

Next, I looked at the flour and animal fat (including milk) in my diet. I can't say I don't eat any flour or animal fat, but its a much smaller percentage of my diet than it used to be.

We used to eat out at least once a day; now it's more like once a month. Home food just tastes better once you get used to less junk in your diet.

It took about 6 months to slowly incorporate all this into our lives. By the time we had completed these lifestyle changes, my skin is the best it's ever been, my hair texture softened, my energy levels zoomed, and I lost 15 lbs without dieting.

I know this a lot deeper than blackhead advice, but I discovered that the cause of blackheads is a lot more than skin deep. ;)

The strips (bioré, noxzema, equate) are one option that you may help afterwards with peroxide. As the blackheads are just sebum (oil) oxidized by air, the peroxide will keep them white thus reducind their appearance. It will also help to fight the redness around them. The best advice is, of course, diet but before that this will help a lot.
Doing some exfoliating before the strips with baking soda will also help.
So; a soft scrub with baking soda, strips followed by a cotton ball in peroxide and that´s it! You can do this a copule of times a week spacing as needed.
Also I found a mineral makeup that helps with oily skin at nicght, try looking into theur stuff. aromaleigh.com neat stuff there! My daughter had breakouts for a while and their "nocturne" powder was marvelous and they have a wide range of colors, much better than bare escentuals and the others out there.
Hope this helps!

Everyone is different, but what seems to have worked for me are the Alpha Hydrox products. I've been using the AHA lotion for a couple of months and the blackheads are much better. I started with the 8% AHA lotion (for sensitive skin) and have now moved on to the 10%. I was worried about irritation (I do have sensitive skin), but so far, no problems. You can purchase Alpha Hydrox at their website (google Alpha Hydrox--I can't remember the website address, the products are made by another company and you have to navigate through their website to find it). Or, you can use drugstore.com. The products don't seem to be sold in stores. They are not expensive at all. Good luck!

I second the notion that what we eat has an effect.
Also, what I'd recommend is the Oil Cleansing Method.
It can seem strange at first, but it really works.
It uses 2-3 products that you can purchase at your grocer.
Sunflower Seed oil or Olive oil and Castor Oil
The Castor oil is the 'cleaning' oil. It can dissolve the dirt, etc in your pores so that you can wash it off more easily...Here's the link:
http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

HTH
K., mama to
Catherine, 5y
Samuel, 2y
EDD 9/09

Yes, you are doing the right thing by trying to keep your face clean. Use facial CLEANSER every day and night. Keep it in the shower so you won't have to wash with regular soap cuz you forgot to bring the cleanser with you. Then, before leaving the bathroom, use a facial MOISTURIZER. You can use makeup over it or not, but use the moisturizer every day. Most girls don't want to use it because they have oily skin already and think this will make it worse. It doesn't! Especially if you use one made for oily skin. Once a week or so, use a different cleanser for your face made for cleaning blackheads or a "scrub." More often than that and your face will dry and it'll cause more blemishes... Good luck!

After having skin problems, my Dermatologist recommended Purpose face soap. I get it at Wal-mart and it cost about $3-$4 per bar. It's in a light blue box with white labeling. I tried the liquid Purpose but it dried my face out. After lathering in my hands, I rub onto my face and use a soft washcloth then rinse with warm then cool water. I do this every morning and every night religiously. I use Avon Anew Clinical Moisturizer, just enough for a very thin layer. This is what has worked for me.

I use the St. Ives medicated scrub with the 2% salicylic acid and use it in the shower every night and every morning. The trick to using any scrub is to wash it off in the shower so none of the little granules stay on your skin. I also use the medicated pads after my shower and it has really helped so so much! Good luck.

per my dermatologist, the only thing that works is extracting the blackhead. biore' strips are one option, a good facial is another with good follow up care. a blackhead is oxidized dirt/oil and takes many months to form. Once you get your pores cleared out, a good cleansing/toning routine should help keep black and white heads away.

Good luck!

I'm a representative from Sensaria Natural Body Care and here is what I have learned about blackheads.

Blackheads are caused from excess oil and dead skin cells that are trapped in the pores. The oil turns dark when exposed to oxygen. Pores appear larger when they are congested and over time, they lose elasticity and their ability to “bounce back.” Remember, pores do not have doors…they do not open and close. They get stretched and worn out if not cleansed properly.

We have some really great products that help get rid of blackheads. (They have helped me tremendously. I had bad blackheads and very oily skin, Sensaria's products have made a vast improvement in my skin.) Our Enzyme Exfoliating Treatment will work to melt away dead skin cells and break down congestion within the pores. Our Clay Mask will draw out oil and impurities. Alternating these two products by using each twice per week will show improvement within one month. Also using a really good skin care regime makes a difference. Sensaria has what I believe to be the best skin care line on the market. I would love to help you get set up with some great products to help you out. You can also earn all our products for free, ask me how. Please contact me at ###-###-#### or email ____@____.com.

Try steaming your pores open before you wash your face. Blackheads are trapped dirt, oil and make up. take a very hot wash cloth and place it over your face for a few minutes, ( you may have to re-heat it a couple of times, or get a small pot of boiling water, and put your face over it, covering your head with a towel, to keep the team in under the towel. do this every nigth for awhile, as the pores will be filling back in if you don't, then wash your face and always finish with a cold rinse to close the pores. good luck!

Have you tried the Biore pore strips? They work fairly well and are pretty cheap.

Have you tried scrubs, deep cleansing masks or MicrodermAbrasion?.....I have some products that would help if you would like to try.
C.

They make a tool to 'pop' the blackhead out. It has two ends, one for whiteheads & one for blackheads. I usually find them at Sally's or other beauty supply stores. Have you tried Biore strips? (the ones that go across the nose area).

Check out that link below also when you click on it at the bottom of the page you will see a box on the right side that says related information and it will give you facts about skin care

hope this helps

http://www.shaklee.net/healthydesire/product/32521

I know this product isn't specifically for this, but I began using it when I started selling Mary Kay and it has helped me unwares. I wash my face before bed and then put on Mary Kay's TimeWise Night Time Solution. It is full of vitamins. It's funny, because I have used all kinds of acne medication all of my life. But, this one helps a lot. Many will be gone over night. Some take a few more days, but pain is gone over night. I can't say that it will do the same for you as it is not marketed for that. But, that has been my personal experience. If you don't know someone who can get it for you. Let me know.

I recommend the Clear Skinlogics line from BeautiControl and the Resurface Products including Microderm Abrasion and Multi Acid peel. They will correct your skin issues and keep it looking it's best. Contact me for more info; ____@____.com

You are sure to receive a lot of spam from people trying to sell you beauty products.

Exfoliation is really the only way to get rid of these. You can try anything over the counter that contains salycilic acid, alphyhydroxy acids, etc. The key is finding one that does not irritate your skin. If you wait until about 30 minutes after you wash your face and apply at bedtime, you should be OK.
Fragrance free Dove soap is nice because it is non- drying.

If all else fails, see a dermatologist. You are likely to spend so much money on over the counter products that you could have seen a dermatologist (assuming you have medical insurance). There are GREAT prescription products available that really work. It took me years until I finally saw a derm but time and money well spent.

hello!

I feel your pain and i have been in the same place the best thang i have ever done was the black head strips that you point on your nose and let it dry it works great for me and then i use Noxzema with it.let me know how it goes.Best of luck!!!!

Angela

In my experience with blackheads, the only way I could get rid of them is by getting a professional facial. They can extract them for you and give you ideas on how to prevent them. It doesn't hurt and is a great way to pamper yourself every now and then.