Thursday, March 19, 2015

Tips to Get Rid of Blackheads

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I don’t have oily skin and don’t tend to get blackheads (and I’m not a medical doctor), but this was a requested post so I will give it my best shot to let you know what works for me, or what I have heard works for others J

Blackheads are a mix of oil, dead skin cells, and lots of other fun stuff that clog your pores. There are a few ways to get rid of blackheads and/or to help prevent them.


1. Cleanse

Using a cleansing brush, like the Clarisonic (I have the Mia 2), really gets your face clean and unclogs pores. Clarisonic claims that the brush cleans your skin six times better than hands alone. The movement of the brush bristles loosens up and sweeps away what is in your pores. I have really sensitive skin so I use mine twice a week, but a lot of people use it every day. I’m working up to three days a week now and I’ll see how my skin handles it.

Cleansers with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help breakdown and clear up blackheads as well. The key is not to overcleanse. Washing your face too much (more than twice a day) can strip your skin of its natural oils, causing it to produce even more oil leading to more blackheads.

2. Pore Strips

A lot of people swear by pore strips. They work wonderfully for my husband (i.e., my occasional begrudging guinea pig); not so much for me, but we also have different skin types. I have never had success with pore strips. All they do is hurt my face when I try to take them off. The premise behind pore strips is that they adhere to the blackheads and pull them out of your pores. Then you get to see them on the strip…

3. Face Mask

There are a few types of mask options when it comes to blackheads.
  • Charcoal and/or Clay-based Mask: Charcoal and clay work to draw out dirt from pores. I like the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask To Clear Pores. It has both charcoal and clay and is great on my sensitive skin. I put this on right out of the shower when pores are more open (if you take a warm shower), let it dry (about 10 minutes) and then rinse it off. I always tone after this mask to get any residue from the mask off my face (I tone after all masks).
  • Peel-off Mask: boscia Luminizing Black Mask. This is a mask that you put on, let dry and then peel off instead of rinsing off (it acts like a pore strip, but in mask form). It has clay like the Origins mask. I’m still experimenting with this one, but it has good reviews online. You have to make sure to put enough product on so that it peels off easily when it dries. If you don’t’ put a thick layer on it will hurt to peel it off or you’ll have to wash it off (defeating the purpose of cleaning your pores out like a pore strip).
  • My Favorite: My Holy Grail that you’ve heard me talk about many times…Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin. This mask really fixes everything for me. It’s not indicated for blackheads, but it has salicylic acid in it which is good for clearing out blackheads for those with sensitive skin. I put in on after a shower, leave it on for 10 minutes, rinse it off and then tone my skin. I really notice the difference in my skin when I use this mask. I use it about two times a week and try to use the Origins charcoal mask about once a week.
Hopefully some mix of these steps/products work for you. Let me know what you use to get rid of blackheads!


Disclaimer: I’m not a medical doctor. If you have skin care concerns, it is best to see a medical doctor/dermatologist. These items were purchased with my own money or by my lovely husband and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This is not a sponsored post.

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