How to get rid of blackheads

Ugh, blackheads. You can trick yourself into thinking no one can see them, and no one notices them … but they do! I used to just leave mine be, not wanting to aggravate the problem, but they slowly drove me mad. So, I went on the attack mode, unleashing fury onto these pesky clear skin predators.

Here are the rules of engagement in the War Against Blackheads:

1. Thou shall not use facial strips. I know, I know - that whole “it looks like a porcupine!” thing is so convincing. Unfortunately, these babies do more harm then good. Your skin is a sensitive and touchy subject; those little strips are not sensitive at all. They’re plodding barbarians when it comes to your face.
2. Use an exfoliating facial scrub 1 to 3 times weekly. By exfoliating, you slough away dead skin and allow black heads to come closer to the surface. They are now more likely to be removed by cleaning. They will come out more easily should you try to squeeze them out. But hold your horses! There’s a heck of a lot of other things you need to do before resorting to that icky business.
3. Reduce oil and grease on thy face. Blackheads are caused by oil and grease. No touchy touchy of the fingers, no hair hanging all over that visage, and cleanse everyday, twice a day to tackle oil and grease.
4. Drink lots of water and eat healthy. No list is complete without this one. What you put in comes out of your pores. Is it better to have water and a salad come out, or pop, chocolate and potato chips?
5. Steam cleanse your face. Use a hot compress to steam cleanse your face for 10 to 15 minutes to bring blackheads closer to the surface. Never attempt extracting them without doing this. I roll up some fresh rosemary in my wash cloth when I do this - just like at the spa!
6. Push with your finger tips, not nails, and use tissue to prevent slippage. I am referring to, of course, squeezing those bad boys out. Yuck. The gist here is to be careful. Your skin is begging you to be gentle and not aggravate it.
7. Use an oil-free moisturizer. You might think, oil=blackheads, so no moisturizer. Not the case. Moisturize for sure because you have been damaging it in your onslaught. Even skin that is prone to greasiness and oiliness loves a good moisturize. Just make sure it’s oil-free!
8. Try a natural helper, such as almond oil, grape seed or honey. I have tried a few dozen natural at home facials, and have found them much more effective than store bought. Even slathering miracle whip over your face, letting it sit for about 10 minutes, and then washing it off, makes a huge difference.
9. Change your pillow cases. I was guilty of this one, but found out that they absorb oil. Then they quietly and evilly attack your pores during the night.
10. Go and get a professional facial. This is if you feel like cheating, being lazy, or just want to be pampered. Essentially, all of these prior tips constitute the same treatment you would receive at a spa. But, if you deserve someone else doing it, a professional will manually extract your blackheads for you. Go ahead, get someone else to fight your battles, and enjoy every second of it.

Good luck, and remember; fighting off blackheads is an ongoing process. Keep at it and you will noticed a marked improvement in your skins appearance.