How to Get Rid of Blackheads Safely

Do you suffer from blackheads on your face? Thanks to this step-by-step plan to safely remove blackheads, you immediately point those annoying black dots to the exit.

What are blackheads?

Blackheads are also called black dots– comedones or blackheads. They arise when sebum (the oil your skin naturally produces), dead skin cells and bacteria accumulate in your pores. The wider these pores are, the more likely they are that blackheads will form. What about the black colour? That’s sebum that turns black in contact with oxygen. Sometimes blackheads also have a white colour when the pore is closed and therefore does not contact oxygen. Those white dots can later grow into pimples. Blackheads – both white and black – are most often encountered on your T-zone (your forehead, nose and chin) because your skin produces more sebum there.

Why do I suffer from blackheads?

If you often spot blackheads on your face, it’s your DNA. After all, your genes determine whether you have a predisposition to get black dots and what type of skin you have. This way, you have a higher chance of blackheads if you have a fat skin type. But hormones, stress and poor eating habits can also affect the number of blackheads on your face: your skin will then produce extra sebum resulting in – you guessed it – black dots. Finally, the wrong care and make-up products can also be the cause of your blackheads! For example, a covering foundation can clog your pores. That is why the foundation must be taken off well in the evening.

How do I prevent blackheads?

Since blackheads are mainly caused by dirt and bacteria, good skin hygiene is your best protective weapon against black dots. Quickly follow this care routine to prevent blackheads from developing as well as possible.

• Cleanse your skin every morning and every night. The Cleansing Face Cream from Nature by ICI PARIS XL turns into a creamy foam and leaves your skin soft and comfortable. Extra fun: the cream is 100% vegan and contains more than 95% natural origin ingredients.
• In the evening, remove all makeup thoroughly from your face. Deep Cleansing Oil from DHC is ideal for this: this oil removes makeup thoroughly without leaving a trace.
• Once a week, use a purifying mask that helps you free pores. Quirkiness Purifying Mask is a good choice: this microfiber mask contains a cocktail of active ingredients that penetrate deep into your skin and free the skin from any impurity.
• Do you suffer from coarse pores? Opt for a special serum such as Sisley’s Global Perfect Pore Minimizer that cleans deep into the pores and prevents blockages.
• If you often spot blackheads on your face, it’s a good idea to start using a specialized product. Clear-Out Blackhead Expert by My Clarins is one of them: this stick tackles blackheads strictly and leaves your skin pretty cool.

How am I supposed to squeeze blackheads?

As tempting as it is, don’t just squeeze out the blackheads! After all, dirt and bacteria on your hands and under your nails can cause the blackheads to ignite and form acne. Moreover, you even run the risk of scarring if you use the wrong squeezing technique!

HERE’S HOW TO DO IT:

1. Clean your face thoroughly with a good cleaning product. Cleansing Exfoliator II Solutions 7 Day Deep Pore Cleanse & Scrub from Indeed Labs is ideal for this: this powder exfoliator removes dead skin cells and cleans your pores exceptionally deep. How do you use it? Add a little water until soft foam forms, massage into your skin and rinse.
2. This step may seem like a lot of work, but I don’t want to skip it! Fill a bowl with hot water (and possibly a drop of facial oil) and hangover it with your face. Put a towel over your head and hang it for 5 to 10 minutes. The steam from the hot water helps your open pores so that you can clean them better later.
3. Wash your hands extensively with hand soap such as Jo Malone’s Hand Wash English Pear & Freesia to prevent you from pushing even more dirt and bacteria into your pores.
4. Wear disposable gloves or twist paper tissues around your index fingers. This way, you have more grip on your skin, reducing the chance of additional bacteria. Apply pressure to the sides of the co-eater with your index fingers. Try pushing straight down, getting under the mee-eater and expressing it upwards. Work very carefully and massage gently to stimulate the mee-eater so that it comes loose. If your skin starts to bleed, stop immediately!
5. Done with all the blackheads? Clean your skin again with a toner that kills bacteria and keeps your pores free of dirt. Lancaster’s non-alcoholic Comforting Perfecting Toner cleanses the skin in all its softness, ideal for irritated skin after all that squeezing.