We’ve seen this happen before. You’re standing in front of a mirror, maybe a little too close, wincing at the sight of those blackheads on your nose,

“ugh, they just aren’t going away!” 

And while blackheads are extremely common, particularly for your age group, they are also just so… unnecessary.

This is why we’ve dished out six ways to reduce the blackheads on your face. Schedule these in to your next self-care sesh!

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1. Use a Cleanser with Salicylic Acid

If you’re into skincare, you’ve probably heard about salicylic acid. We’ve been hearing the name quite a lot in the beauty community, especially when it comes to skin issues such as excess oil and oily skin. But what exactly is it? This gentle acid is derived from the willow tree, and is basically the go-to solution for dealing with blackheads. This is because it gently exfoliates the skin, penetrating deep into the pores to unclog them- thereby removing blackheads! Sounds like a miracle- but where’s the catch? The only catch is, you have to give it some time to work. Salicylic acid is not an overnight solution, and must be used consistently if you want to see some great results. But the wait is worth it, as it is definitely not as abrasive as plucking away at your blackheads with pore strips. 

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2. Use a Gentle Exfoliant

Blackheads are caused by clogged pores due to a build-up of dead skin, impurities, and oil on your face. In order to counter this, you could commit to using a gentle exfoliator once or twice a week to tackle that build up on your skin, and to avoid the build up of even more blackheads. Twice a week is more than sufficient for an exfoliator. While it’s tempting to get pumped and use an exfoliator every day, you might end up doing more harm than good- as scrubbing away too much will actually sensitize and inflame your skin.It’s also best to avoid any exfoliators with harsh chemicals or abrasive pieces to protect your skin. Physical scrubs that contain ingredients such as walnuts, salt, or fruit pits/seeds may be way too harsh for your precious skin… avoid at all costs. 

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3. Avoid Sleeping in Your Makeup

Maybe you were “studying”, but somehow found yourself asleep on your books the next morning. Or maybe you just couldn’t bother taking your makeup off after such a long and tiresome day. We get it. Life can be so tiring sometimes, especially when you’re juggling school, activities, and your social life. Sometimes all you want to do when you get home is rest your head on your pillow and… zzzzzzOur advice? Try not to. Sleeping with your makeup on will lead to a build up of even more clogged pores. Using a makeup remover accompanied by a cleanser will ensure that the buildup of dirt, oil, impurities, and makeup are completely stripped from your skin- to avoid another blackhead nightmare. 

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4. Use a Clay Mask

Clay masks are the perfect go-to for a relaxing night in. They are also great for tackling those annoying blackheads, because clay- particularly white or “kaolin” clay- is capable of drawing out excess oil and impurities from the skin. Think of it like a magnet. Or a suction cup. But much gentler. It’s also a great method to reduce blackheads for anyone with sensitive skin who wants to avoid using a scrub or exfoliator. Unlike face scrubs, gentle face masks can be used more often than just once or twice a week.Picture this: a cup of tea in hand, your favorite Netflix show, and a soothing face mask… yes, please. 

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5. Avoid Using Pore Strips Too Often

If you’re struggling with blackheads, you may reach for some pore strips which promise a smooth, clean, blackhead free appearance. And while pore strips do remove blackheads, they may actually over-strip the area of your essential natural oils if they’re used too often,, leading to redness and irritation. So, while it may be tempting to use pore strips for immediate results (and, let’s face it, it’s quite satisfying…) we would recommend opting for the methods above before using the strips. And, if you want to use the strips, limit their usage to once a week or twice a week at the most.

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6. Try Charcoal Products

From charcoal lattes to charcoal cleanser, charcoal (say charcoal five times fast) is infiltrating the world of health and beauty with its dark and mysterious appearance. Well, it’s not so mysterious actually. According to experts, charcoal is revered in skincare because it can draw out toxins and impurities from clogged pores, lightning fast! What that also means is it’s a great ingredient to look out for when you’re dealing with blackheads. The best way to use charcoal for blackheads is by finding a peel-off face mask, where both the action of the peel and the charcoal and work together to draw out those pesky black spots. 

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‍Blackheads, Get Outta My Head

‍Yup, blackheads can be some of the most annoying skin issues you could face. Hopefully though, these six steps can help you get rid of blackheads (and keep them off!).

The most important thing to remember, however, is that good things take time. Remain consistent with your skincare and you’ll start to notice significant changes in the appearance of your blackheads and pores.

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