How to Treat Blackheads

If you have reached this page because you are suffering from blackheads and want to know how to treat them, then please know now that there is no magical solution that works for everybody.

With a little trial and error, however, you are sure to find something here on this page that works for you.

Whatever method for getting rid of blackheads you try, please give it a chance to work, don't just try it once and say "Oh that is no good for me", then try something else.

Give each treatment at least a couple of weeks, so see if it makes a difference to you.

Blackheads are usually caused by over-active sebaceous glands, which are situated under the skin and which produce sebum, the natural oils our skin needs to keep its elasticity and health.

Produce too little sebum, you get dry skin, too much and you get greasy hair and skin.

Blackheads are little plugs of sebum and keratin which form in hair follicles. Normally a yellow-whitish color, when exposed to air at the mouth of the follicle, they take on a dark or black hue.

Learning how to treat blackheads effectively is a case of trial and error.

You can get rid of blackheads simply by squeezing them out. You have to be very careful about how you do this, as you can easily damage the sensitive skin on your face, or even worse, send part of the blackhead even deeper into your skin where it could become infected.

If you must squeeze them, wash your hands first to reduce the risk of infection.

You can encourage your pores to open wider facilitating easier passage for the blackhead removal by heating your skin first, perhaps with a warm towel held to your face, or immediately after hot shower.

You can also place your head of over basin of hot water for a few minutes to allow the steam to loosen the pores.

You can also buy a blackhead removal tool if your have bitten or very short fingernails.

After removal, apply some Tea Tree Cream to your face.

Anybody suffering from blackheads should take extra care with their skin cleansing routine. Basically you will have to make sure your face is washed thoroughly at least once a day.

If you are wearing make-up, make sure all trace of it is removed before you go to bed at night. Any make-up residue can clog pores further.

The less layers of makeup you wear, the better. Mineral foundation Bare Minerals is probably the best type to wear as it is made from ground up crystals that will not clog up your pores.

Be gentle when washing your face, any heavy rubbing will actually stimulate your sebaceous glands into producing yet more oil, and the problem will become exarcerbated.

I don't use soap on my face at all, preferring gentle cleansers. Use a cleanser containing BHA, beta hydroxy acid. If it doesn't list that, look for salicylic acid which is the same thing.

A really good product containing BHA is Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Anti Blemish Daily Moisturizer.

Blackhead Treatments at Amazon UK

After washing, try using astringents to help dry off the pores.

Wash your face in lemon juice instead of soap if your blackheads are severe.

Other astringents include vinegar, apple cider vinegar and mouthwash.

Listerine is useful for getting rid of greasy hair. It is gentle on the skin and you would do no harm trying it as a one off, but I wouldn't make a habit of using it because it could kill off natural bacteria in the skin which are necessary for good health.

If you have sensitive skin, look for a bottled astringent that is formulated for sensitive skin. There are many products available both online and at your local chemist for you to try.

This kit works, there is no doubt about that.

The only drawbacks are it can be irritant to those with allergies or sensitive skin.

The active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, which doctors recommend for acne. It is made from very fine crystals which is perfect for acne and blackhead prone skin and is non-greasy.

This kit includes:

• 4 oz Proactiv Micro Crystal Advanced Cleanser
• 4 oz Proactiv Toner
• 2 oz Proactiv Micro Crystal Advanced Lotion

Just be very careful how much of the product you apply as it dried the skin out extensively, but you should say bye bye to blackheads with Proactiv very quickly.

Your learning curve on how to treat blackheads could be very short if you find a solution like Proactive works for you right away.

This is a very effective acne treatment, and don't forget blackheads are a type of acne (acne vulgaris), that has come highly recommended.

I searched the internet, so you don't have to, to get actual users opinions of products because sales pages will tell you anything. The truth is in the users' experiences, and this does work.

It contains salicylic acid. Simply wet face in warm water, apply a generous amount of Noxzema cleanser cream to your hand, and gently rub in, and your blackheads are zapped!

This product uses alpha and beta hydroxy acids and is aimed at teenagers with oily skin and blackheads or other form of acne.

It is a complete skin care kit of:

• Botanical Acne Mask and Spot Treatment
• Sebum Regulating Moisturizer
• Facial Cleansing Gel for Sensitive Skin
• Derma Cleanse Acne Gel

The manufacturer includes full instructions on how to use the products, and says it takes about 2 weeks to completely clear up blackheads.

Many reviewers online agreed this is a great product despite it's price.

Clear Pores comes highly recommended. This is one of the best products on the market today for getting rid of blackheads.

The pack includes:

• Deep Facial Wash,
• Herbal Supplement
• Facial Protection Cream

This is what makes this product different, it attacks the problem from within as well as on the outside.

This is why it is important to give this product, Clear Pores, a chance to work. It may take a few weeks before you really start to notice a difference, but when it does, unlike other products you will not have to keep taking it.

Low pH BHA products aimed at normal/oily/dry skin types.

Proactive Solution - Clarifying Night Cream
Neutrogena - oil-free acne stress control hydrating acne treatment
Paula's Choice - 1%-2% beta hydroxy acid gel/lotion/liquid

Higher pH BHA products aimed at very dry/or sensitive skin types.

Clinique Turn Around Concentrate
Clinique Mild Scruffing Lotion (no alcohol)

The other name of blackheads is acne vulgaris, and the group of people most likely to be affected by it are young adults who are suffering the hormonal swings of puberty.

Thankfully, most of us grow out of them eventually, though for some individuals, they may suffer recurring attacks on and off throughout their lives.

I hope something here helps you, and I strongly recommend you watch the video as there are some fabulous tips in there to help you get rid of blackheads forever.

The other things I hadn't mentioned above is diet, and this is very important.

While other people can eat fast fried foods and high sugary drinks it looks as if your body can't. We are healthy from the inside out.

If the thought of changing your diet to a low fat, low sugar, high fruit and vegetables doesn't appeal to you, I suggest you try it for just 3 days.

During that time, make sure you are hydrated well by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day.

On the 4th day, you should see a huge difference in your skin. It should be less greasy, glowing and healthy looking, with a distinct lack of spots or blackheads.

If you like how you look, then you know to continue eating this way.

I hope you have found something useful here in your quest to learn how to treat blackheads, and that your affliction is a short one.

It will also save you a fortune in skin care products for years to come, and certainly worth a try.