8 Highly Effective Home Remedies for Blackheads
Updated: Apr. 17, 2020
Use these DIY treatments and home remedies to get rid of blackheads and clear up your complexion.
How to get rid of blackheads at home
Blackheads are tricky. No matter how well you take care of your skin, they just show up sometimes—usually at the worst possible time. If you’re finally ready to get rid of blackheads, these home remedies for blackheads can help. There are many types of acne and not all of them may respond well to home treatments, says Alexander Dane, DO, of Affiliated Dermatologists & Dermatologic Surgeons, PA in New Jersey. Blackheads are different. “For acne that’s primarily blackheads, there are some really good home remedies that may help decrease those clogged pores,” he says. Here are proven home remedies that can help reduce your blackheads, from natural face masks to tips on how to get rid of them on your nose.
How to treat blackheads: Baking soda and water
Baking soda is such a common kitchen item that you might not realize you can eliminate blackheads with it. Dr. Dane says baking soda helps to neutralize any pH imbalance your skin may have, as well as work as an exfoliant to remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells. To use this on your blackheads, mix two tablespoons of baking soda and two tablespoons of water together to form a paste. Massage the paste onto your face, rinse off with warm water, and then be sure to moisturize afterward. This mixture could dry your skin, so don’t use it more than two or three days a week.
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How to treat blackheads: At-home exfoliation
Brown sugar, honey and lemon juice make up this exfoliation mixture that you can use on blackheads on your nose and chin. Dr. Dane recommends mixing together one tablespoon of brown sugar, two tablespoons of lemon and one tablespoon of raw honey. When it’s mixed well, apply to your face in a circular motion, massaging it in for five minutes before rinsing it off and applying moisturizer.
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How to treat blackheads: Tea tree oil
Beauty experts say you can apply tea tree oil directly to the affected areas to help blackheads on your chin and nose. It works in part by killing bacteria. Tea tree oil is available in a number of products, like soaps and creams, or it’s available as an essential oil.
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How to treat blackheads: Kasturi turmeric
“Turmeric can be used to help remove blackheads due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties,” Dr. Dane says. “It’s important to note that regular turmeric can stain skin, [but with] kasturi turmeric you avoid staining.” To use, take one tablespoon of kasturi turmeric and mix with one tablespoon of water or coconut oil to form a paste, apply the paste to your face and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off. Find out more surprising health benefits of turmeric.
How to treat blackheads: Coconut oil and sugar scrub
While blackheads on your chin and around your mouth are common, blackheads can occur on your body, too. Exfoliating your skin to get rid of dead skin cells can help, says Whitney Bowe, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. She recommends mixing coconut oil and sugar to make a do-it-yourself body scrub. You should also avoid these common showering mistakes.
How to treat blackheads: At-home pore strip
If you’ve searched for how to get rid of blackheads on your nose, you’ve likely seen pore strips in stores. It turns out you can make your own, right at home, using milk and honey. Milk has lactic acid, which helps remove dead skin cells and oil, while honey is antibacterial, Dr. Dane says. To make your own pore strip, mix one tablespoon of whole milk with one tablespoon of organic, raw honey and microwave for about 10 seconds. After you’ve made sure the mixture is cool enough, Dr. Dane recommends applying the mixture to the areas of your face that have blackheads and then placing a clean cotton strip on top. After you’ve let it sit for about 15 minutes, gently peel the cotton off, rinse and moisturize your face.
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How to treat blackheads: Green tea
No, you’re not drinking this green tea—you’re putting it on your face! Dr. Dane says green tea can help decrease your skin’s oil production and works as a great antioxidant. (Check out more surprising health benefits of green tea.) Mix one teaspoon of dry green tea leaves with one teaspoon of water and massage it into the affected areas for three minutes, Dr. Dane says. After that, rinse it off and apply a moisturizer. This treatment can be used two or three days a week.
How to treat blackheads: Egg whites
Using a natural face mask for blackheads is an easy way to reduce blackheads. Dr. Bowe’s method needs just egg whites and a tissue. First, whisk one egg white and apply to your (clean) skin. Then layer on a tissue over your face (but not on your eyes or mouth) and apply another layer of egg white. Let the mask dry for about 20 minutes and then simply peel it off.
Now that you know how to get rid of blackheads at home, check out these DIY tips for skin that naturally glows.
