Overview
Blackheads, also known as comedones, occur when pores open to the surface of the skin and the sebum inside the pores, which contains the skin pigment melanin, produces a black hue. Blackheads will not simply wash away, and they may last for several days or even weeks, as the bacteria and sebum take a long time to drain to the surface. Several home remedies may help get rid of blackheads by expediting the time they take to drain. Abrasive substances help penetrate the pores and unclog them, while oils help lubricate the pores, making it easier to coax the blackheads out from under the skin.
Step 1
Steep the fresh herbs in 3 cups of boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain. In her book “Herbal Beauty for Healthy Living,” Margaret Roberts recommends using yarrow, comfrey or stinging nettle to get rid of blackheads. Add 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and stir to combine. Pat almond oil onto your blackheads, and then soak a towel in the hot herbal infusion. Wring it out and apply it directly to the affected areas several times until the liquid cools. Gently push out your blackheads with a cotton swab.
Step 2
Pour enough apple cider vinegar over the fresh horseradish to cover its surface. Steep for four weeks, then strain. Measure the remaining liquid, then add half as much water to the mixture. Dab it directly onto blackheads with a cotton swab and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse your skin clean with warm water. Store the excess mixture in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid in a cool, dark place.
Step 3
Combine two parts baking soda with one part water to create a thick paste. Annie Berthold-Bond, author of “Better Basics for the Home,” recommends using baking soda to get rid of blackheads, as it is slightly abrasive to the skin. Gently massage the mixture onto your blackheads, then rinse with warm water. Repeat daily as necessary until blemishes are gone.
Step 4
Combine two parts sea salt with one part lemon juice to make a paste. Dab the paste onto blackheads using a cotton swab, and then massage the mixture into the affected area, being careful to avoid your eyes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and repeat once per day as necessary. Sea salt is an antibacterial agent and is abrasive enough to help get rid of blackheads. Follow with a facial moisturizer if you have dry skin.
