By Rupa Gill
Nothing quite says unattractive skin quite like blackheads.
Blackheads occur when your pores become clogged with excess sebum (an oil created by the sebaceous glands that keeps skin supple) and dead skin cells.
Here are just three easy ways to banish those blackheads and have you skin looking clean and fresh again.
The Lemon Juice Method
Lemon juice is very effective at tightening your pores. You simply need to apply it to your affected skin and you will feel it go to work straight away.
Directions
Dab a cotton ball with juice and then gently press this against your blackheads. Do this a few times a week just before you go to bed, and wash and moisturise your face in the morning as normal.
Remember that lemon juice is quite harsh, so if you have sensitive skin or dry you should dilute the juice with a little water first.
People with darker skin are advised not to use lemon juice as it can discolour your skin.
Egg White Mask
Egg whites form an easy mask that can be used to temporarily tighten pores, thus reducing chances of future blackheads, and will also remove current blackheads. Egg whites are also rich in nutrients for your skin, and are a little less drying than some other home remedies for blackheads.
Directions
Separate the yolk from the white and rinse your face. Pat your face dry and then apply a thin layer of egg white over your skin. Then, place a strip of facial tissue or toilet paper over the wet egg white, being sure to press it onto your face gently. Allow the first layer to dry. Carefully apply a second layer of egg white over the tissue. Let this layer dry as well before applying a third. When the mask is dry, your face may feel tight, but don’t worry because this is supposed to happen. Peel the tissue off, and then gently wash your face. Pat dry and moisturise as usual.
Alternatively, you can leave out the tissue and simply apply 3-5 layers of egg white, being sure to let each layer dry in between applications. But if you do not let the layers dry, it will not work.
Honey mask
Honey has both antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties, which makes it a good choice for acne-related blackheads. Due to its sticky residue it can help it bind to the blackheads and remove them.
Directions
Just warm up some honey in a pan, or place a jar of honey in hot water. When the honey is warm enough to touch, dab it onto your blackheads and let it dry for around ten minutes. Once the time is up, wash it off your face with a damp cloth.
You can leave this treatment on overnight, but make sure it has fully dried before you sleep.
Steam them open method
The most trusted method of all is to steam open your pores. Before you think about squeezing or pulling them out, you will need to loosen your pores. Blackheads are very tricky and won’t come out easily, but by loosening the pores you give yourself the best chance of getting rid of them.
Directions
All you need to do is hold your face over a bowl of steaming water for ten to fifteen minutes.
Place a towel over your head so the steam can’t escape.
Before you know it you will start to feel the steam beginning to loosen your pores.
