The cause of blackheads is hair follicles that are clogged-up with dead skin cells and oil (sebum). Most people think their "black" appearance is caused by trapped dirt, but, in actual fact, it is caused by the oxidising effect air has on the sebum, and on the dead skin cells pigment.
The black head remover method detailed below works, but it isn't the best solution - the best method is to not get blackheads in the first place, by getting rid of their cause (i.e. excess oil, and skin cells). This is achieved by only using products on your skin that contain natural ingredients, and which do not dry it out excessively. If you use astringent products on your skin, you will encourage excess sebum production, which is not what you want in your battle against blackheads.
Don't be afraid to use cleansing products that contain natural oils (e.g. jojoba oil, or coconut). The reason being that these kind of natural oils are very close to our own natural oils, so they do not clog-up the follicles. A natural exfoliating skin mask should be used every day to remove any skin cells that have been shedded, before they have the opportunity to block the follicles. Take extreme care when exfoliating, because you could make the problem much worse by being too aggressive with your skin. Ensure that you do not use products that contain lanolin, alcohol, sodium lauryl sulphate, propylene glycol, sodium laureth sulphate, parabens, isopropyl mystate, and mineral oil.
Foods To Help Avoid Blackheads
You can help reduce the occurrence of blackheads by eating the right foods. Do this, and you will reduce sebum production, increase moisture in the skin, and help the production of fresh skin cells. Avoid cooked carbohydrates and fats, and replace them with fresh fruits, vegetables and raw fats (avocadoes, olives, olive oil etc).
Blackheads and Make-Up
If you wear make up, make sure that any foundations and concealers are non-comedogenic, and oil free. This will help to avoid your follicles from becoming blocked-up. Do not apply make up when your face is sweating. Always remove your make up with a cleanser at the end of the day. Keep all make up brushes and sponges very clean, and replace them with new ones often. Wash them in mild shampoo once a month, and let dry completely before you use them again.
Black Head Removal
If you want to avoid getting any blackheads, do the following two times each week:
1. Wash the skin using a gentle, natural exfoliating product, and pat the skin dry.
2. Fill a bowl with boiling water, and a little tea tree oil.
3. Steam your face for about five minutes to open your pores, and soften the skin.
4. Apply a clay mask, such as bentonite clay, to absorb the oil in the blocked follicle.
5. Let the mask work for the recommended amount of time (10 minutes to an hour).
6. Rinse off the mask with warm water, and gently pat the skin dry.
If you take heed of the information above, about changing your diet, and caring for your skin, you shouldn't need to use a black head remover solution!
