When the skin overproduces sebum, its natural oil, pores can become clogged with blackheads. Sebum combines with cosmetics and dead skin cells, forming small plugs that block the pores. When the clog is exposed to air, it oxidizes, giving the blackhead its characteristic dark color. According to Medical News Today, blackheads are the first stage of acne, the second stage being the infection of the plug that causes a pimple. Blackheads become common during adolescence, when surges of hormones affect the appearance of the skin.
Step 1
Wash your face with warm water and a mild, oil-free cleanser such as glycerin soap or unscented liquid face wash. Massage your skin in a circular motion with a soft washcloth to gently exfoliate dead skin cells. Rinse well with warm water, which helps open your pores.
Step 2
Heat a pot of water. When the water comes to a boil, turn off the heat and move the pot to a hot pad or folded towel on the counter. Add a few drops of tea tree oil if you wish. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial used in acne treatment products.
Step 3
Make a tent over your head with a towel by laying the towel flat over your shoulders, horizontally, and holding the top two edges of the towel approximately 6 inches past your head. Lean over the pot with 12 inches of distance between the pot and your face. Steam your face for 15 minutes.
Step 4
Wrap your fingertips in fresh tissue and press the softened blackheads from your skin. You may also use a blackhead removal tool, readily available in drugstores. Some tools work by means of suction, while others have open metal cones on the end to surround each blackhead and squeeze it out. Read the package instructions carefully and use blackhead removal tools as directed to keep from injuring or scarring your skin. Never force out a blackhead that is not soft enough to be removed.
Step 5
Moisten a cotton ball with salicylic acid toner and wipe it over your face to remove any excess oil from your pores and help prevent new blackheads from forming.
Things You'll Need
- Mild facial cleanser
- Large cooking pot
- Bath towel
- Salicylic acid toner
- Blackhead removal tool (optional)
- Tea tree oil (optional)
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