Stubborn blackheads are very hard to get rid of. The most common places for blackheads to appear are on your nose, forehead, chin and cheeks. How large your pores are depends on your skin type. Pores contain hair follicles, sweat glands and an oily substance called sebum. Your pores are easily clogged with dead, oil-covered cells that lead to blackheads. While you cannot shrink your pores, you can treat your blackheads, which will clean your pores and make them appear smaller. By taking vitamins, cleaning your skin and using the right cream, you can clear up your skin and reduce your pores at the same time.
Step 1
Take vitamin C. Vitamin C kills the bacteria in your pores and helps your skin cells stay healthy. Vitamin C also kicks your immune system into gear, rejuvenating your liver, which will break down the toxins that help blackheads form. Fruits like oranges are loaded with vitamin C. Take the peel off an orange and grate it into fine pieces. Combine with 1 tsp. of water and whisk vigorously until it becomes a paste. Apply to the face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash with warm water. You can also take vitamin C in a pill form. Doctors suggest 1000 mg a day.
Step 2
Steam your skin. Steaming your pores will help clear up blackheads. Boil hot water, pour it in a bowl, and put your face over the water. Drape a towel over your head to trap the steam for about 10 minutes. The hot steam makes your skin sweat and produce oil, which helps flush out your pores and gets rid of dead skin cells that may be lodged in them. When you're done with the steam, make sure you wash your face thoroughly with warm water. Doctors at Medical News Today recommend washing your face at the end of every day. Makeup and sweat leads to dead skin buildup, which causes blackheads. Wash your face well before you go to bed, but don't scrub too much, as it could irritate your skin.
Step 3
Use aloe vera. Aloe vera helps fight infections that build up inside the pores. Aloe vera is rich in enzymes that eliminate bacteria and reduce the inflammation of the blackhead. If you have the actual plant, break off a leaf and rub the pulp right on your skin. Leave it on for a few minutes, then rise with warm water. Otherwise, you can buy aloe vera gel at nearly every drugstore. Make sure you get a gel that has at least 94 percent aloe vera in it. Aloe vera also comes in the form of a juice, helping to clear up blackheads from the outside in. Drink one 8-oz. glass per day.
Step 4
Get a facial. An esthetician can remove blackheads professionally without leaving any scars. Estheticians use an extractor, which is a small, long tool with loops on each end. However, if used incorrectly, the extractor can leave skin damage and scarring. Make sure to go to a trained professional.
Step 5
Go to your dermatologist. If none of these work, see your dermatologist, who can prescribe medication. Retinoids, a form of vitamin A, can help regulate the shape of your pores, making them smaller and reducing blackheads. The most common kinds of retinoids are found in prescriptions such as Avita, Retin-A and Differin. Doctors a the Mother Nature website warn you to not mix treatments. Pick one blackhead medicine or lotion and stick with it.
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