Tips for getting rid of blackheads and oily skin

Published: 11/14/2014 - Updated: 04/21/2016

Even though you can get them at any age, blackheads usually appear during adolescence, especially in those who tend to have oily or combination skin. They generally appear in areas like the nose and face, but they can also appear on the ears or any other area of the body.

Hormonal changes, stress, and constantly using makeup are some of the primary causes, but other factors, like consuming alcohol and caffeine, could contribute to their appearanceBlackheads are caused by natural skin sebaceous secretions that accumulate and oxidize, and it is important to prevent them from even appearing.

Recommendations

There are a lot of treatments and medications around that can treat blackheads, although there are also natural options that could provide excellent results.  But first, before trying any remedy, it is important that you consider the following recommendation.

Try not to touch your face too much

These blackheads can also be extracted but you should remember that if you aren’t careful, you could damage your skin or even infect the pore, thereby causing an outbreak.  A professional should perform appropriate cleansing.  Wash your face daily, preferably in the morning and at night.  You could use a facial cleaning product appropriate for oily skin.

Wash your hair daily.  Hair can accumulate impurities that affect skin on the face.

Rinse your face regularly with warm water after washing it.

Regularly wash your pillow case.

Exfoliate your skin once a week.

Use a moisturizing cream for oily skin.

Clean your face with absorbent cloths for oily skin during the day; they come in rice paper varieties, for example.

Natural remedies for blackheads

There are a lot of common ingredients that you could use for natural remedies for fighting blackheads.  A lot of which are found in everyday kitchens, and could be useful for fighting blackheads as well as for regulating oily skin.

Oat flour: oat flour is one ingredient that is frequently used to treat oily skin.  If mixed with yogurt, it can be used as an ideal mask for fighting excessive facial oil.  Mix one tablespoon of oat flour with three tablespoons of natural yogurt and a few drops of lemon juice.  Apply this mask and let set for 15 minutes, rinsing afterwards with warm water.

Lemon juice: Perhaps one of the most popular remedies for treating oily skin, is lemon juice.  It can be used as an exfoliant for blackheads.  Squeeze the juice from one lemon into two tablespoons of yogurt and one tablespoon of honey, with half a teaspoon of salt.  Apply the mixture to your face by gently rubbing in circular movements.  Rinse with warm water.  We recommend using this twice a week for one month.  Remember than when exposed to sunlight, lemon juice can stain the skin, which is why it is suggested to do this process before going to sleep.

Tomatoes: The antiseptic properties of tomatoes help remove blackheads and skin impurities.  Blend half of one tomato and apply to the affected areas, which are generally the “T” zone, or rather, the forehead and nose.  Let set for 30 minutes and then rinse.  Do this procedure every night before going to bed and you will notice how the blackheads will naturally disappear.

Bicarbonate: This is an excellent exfoliator, perfect for treating acne and blackheads.  It also helps keep the skin free of impurities.  Make a paste with two tablespoons of bicarbonate and one tablespoon of mineral water.  Use it to massage the skin on your face, using the tip of your fingers.  Do not use too much pressure.  Let the mixture dry and rinse with warm water.  Repeat once or twice a week.

Honey: Not only is it a wonderful food, it can also be used for cosmetic purposes to improve the look of your skin and hair.  It can be used to treat blackheads, oily skin and pimples.  Apply one tablespoon of honey to your face and let set for 10 minutes.  Rinse with warm water.

Egg: One simple and quick remedy for fighting blackheads consists of beating one egg white with one tablespoon of honey and applying it to the area you wish to treat.  Let set for 30 minutes or until it dries, and then remove with warm water.  We recommend repeating this two or three times a week.

Olive oil: This oil helps moisturize the skin, but also allows for a cleansing of impurities.  To use it against oily skin and blackheads, it’s best to mix one tablespoon of olive oil with one tablespoon of lemon juice.  Moisten a cotton ball with the mixture and gently apply to your face.  Do this daily.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is another useful remedy for fighting oily skin and blackheads.  All you need to do is mix one teaspoon of powdered cinnamon with one teaspoon of honey, until forming a thick paste.  Apply to the affected area and let set overnight.  Wash with warm water in the morning.  Repeat for 10 days.

About the author
  • Miriam Reyes

    Miriam Reyes is a professional expert in nutrition and dietetics. She has more than 12 years of experience in caring for patients with overweight and eating problems. She studied at the Universidad del Valle de Atemajac (UNIVA), where she obtained a degree in nutrition. Linkedin profile.

1 Reply to “Tips for getting rid of blackheads and oily skin”
  • Stacy says:

    I used to have a lot of blackheads when I was growing up. I went to the dermatologist (which was a pretty bad idea in retrospect…). He prescribe me oral antibiotics, and topical cream that dried my skin out, and then a moisturizing cream to hydrate after the other cream already dried my skin out. It made no sense, and after two years of “treatment” it was still worse than before! So I stopped cold turkey and just let my face go to town. That’s when it started to get better!