These are accumulations of sebum and keratin that collect inside the hair follicles and occlude them, forming closed (or white spots) or open comedones. When the substances that compose them come into contact with the air, they oxidize taking on a dark color.
The comedones can be of various sizes and, unlike what is believed, are not a phenomenon typical only of the young age: they depend more on the type of skin and hormonal activity.
The constitutional predisposition to have impure skin even in adulthood, however, causes blackheads to be frequent even after adolescence, not only among young people.
In addition to hormonal causes and personal predisposition , other factors may also contribute to the formation of blackheads:
Remove make-up very carefully and then continue with cleansing the skin; we recommend aleppo soap with astringent and cleansing properties based on salicylic acid , also excellent for fighting acne and dark spots. Only after these steps, apply a good serum, for example a regularizing sebum product, and finish with an eye contour and hydrating cream.
On the market you can find many and at different prices, we recommend these: Garnier Pure Active patches that we tried in the editorial office and they seemed very effective.
Egg can also help you cleanse your skin. How? Take the egg white, mix it with a little flour until you get a thick paste. Spread it on your face and let it dry. Then rinse with warm water.
An equally effective alternative is the tomato-based mask , with antiseptic, purifying and healing properties. Cut a tomato into very thin slices and leave them on for 15 minutes, in the morning or in the evening. Then wash your face with a mild soap.
In case of sensitive or allergic skin, ask your doctor or beautician for advice before using do-it-yourself remedies.
Avoid using the blackhead extractor, but if you want to try it, soften the skin beforehand with the application of a warm wet cloth on the face. If the black dot does not go away, do not be relentless: a black dot is better than an extra scar on the face!
Did you know that if you follow the "5 types of fruit and vegetables per day" rule, your body has the zinc necessary to reduce the sebum secretion of your skin? This mineral can help balance hormone levels as well as having an anti-inflammatory and keratogulatory action. It is present in various foods: in fish and meat , in cereals (wheat germ and oats), in legumes, in dried fruit and in seeds (pumpkin, sesame and sunflower), in yeast, in milk, mushrooms, cocoa and egg yolk.
Follow an active lifestyle, decrease sugars, fats and sleep at least 8 hours. Keep yourself hydrated, drink at least 1 and a half liters of water. Finally, if you smoke, seriously consider quitting: this will benefit not only your skin, but your health in general.
The comedones can be of various sizes and, unlike what is believed, are not a phenomenon typical only of the young age: they depend more on the type of skin and hormonal activity.
Why do blackheads form?
Blackheads are mainly formed in the forehead, nose and chin areas because they are richer in sebaceous glands. Their appearance at a young age is due in part to hormones. Blackheads are related, in fact, to the hormonal activity of testosterone, responsible for the increase in sebum secretion that leads to the obstruction of the pores and the formation of blackheads, as we have previously explained to you.The constitutional predisposition to have impure skin even in adulthood, however, causes blackheads to be frequent even after adolescence, not only among young people.
In addition to hormonal causes and personal predisposition , other factors may also contribute to the formation of blackheads:
- use of too fatty products for skin care;
- use of comedogenic oils to remove makeup or tanning oils;
- bad habit of removing make-up with little attention or, much worse, of not removing make-up and leaving impurities on the face;
- smog;
- unprotected sun exposure (this can cause even more serious damage).
How to eliminate blackheads
The first rule ever to avoid the formation of blackheads and eliminate existing ones is to respect a correct daily skincare, morning and evening.Remove make-up very carefully and then continue with cleansing the skin; we recommend aleppo soap with astringent and cleansing properties based on salicylic acid , also excellent for fighting acne and dark spots. Only after these steps, apply a good serum, for example a regularizing sebum product, and finish with an eye contour and hydrating cream.
The facial sauna to do at home
Once or twice a month, treat yourself to a deeper cleanse: use the facial sauna . Bring some water to a boil, cover your head with a towel and stand for ten minutes with your face positioned on the saucepan. You can add a few drops of tea tree oil essential oil to enhance the effect. The steam will dilate the pores and you can take advantage of it to squeeze the more mature blackheads (be careful not to torture the skin!) With a clean towel or gauze to leave no marks. Repeat the operation at least two or three times a month.Purifying scrub
After the facial sauna, the pores are open and ready to be purified. It is the right time to use a scrub: apply it on the face and massage for a long time, insisting on the most critical areas, namely the sides of the nose and the chin. Already after the rinse you will notice the skin of the face more luminous and less gray. Seeing is believing.The patches
It is a plaster to be moistened with water and applied to the nose until it dries. After the shutter speed, the blackheads will remain on the patch, while your nose will be clean .On the market you can find many and at different prices, we recommend these: Garnier Pure Active patches that we tried in the editorial office and they seemed very effective.
Natural remedies to eliminate blackheads
DIY masks to eliminate blackheads
The best known is the clay mask , used above all by those with oily and very impure skin. Buy it pure in herbal medicine and prepare your mask at home by adding water and an essential oil, for example tea tree oil with purifying and detoxifying properties.Egg can also help you cleanse your skin. How? Take the egg white, mix it with a little flour until you get a thick paste. Spread it on your face and let it dry. Then rinse with warm water.
An equally effective alternative is the tomato-based mask , with antiseptic, purifying and healing properties. Cut a tomato into very thin slices and leave them on for 15 minutes, in the morning or in the evening. Then wash your face with a mild soap.
Do it yourself patches
Do you want to try to create a homemade patch ? In a microwave oven container, mix a spoonful of milk with one of gelatin, put in the oven for 10 seconds and then let it cool (otherwise you will burn yourself!). Spread the mixture on the nose with the help of a brush and, after 10 minutes, gently tear it off.In case of sensitive or allergic skin, ask your doctor or beautician for advice before using do-it-yourself remedies.
Other ways to fight blackheads
In addition to the remedies we have told you about, there are other ways to eliminate blackheads, but they need the intervention of a doctor and a beautician:- peeling: The peeling has the purpose of removing superficial dead cells freeing the pores and promoting cell regeneration. It is performed in beauty centers or by dermatologists and involves the use of very aggressive products that cannot be used for do-it-yourself treatments. Salicylic acid is successfully used for the treatment of blackheads and seborrheic skin.
- Topical drugs: It is necessary that these drugs are prescribed by a dermatologist after a specific medical examination that establishes their actual need.
Blackheads: What Should You Not Do?
The temptation is strong, true, but never crush blackheads with bare hands and dirty nails . You could ruin your skin with unsightly scars .Avoid using the blackhead extractor, but if you want to try it, soften the skin beforehand with the application of a warm wet cloth on the face. If the black dot does not go away, do not be relentless: a black dot is better than an extra scar on the face!
Blackheads and lifestyle: prevention starts at the table
Having ascertained that impure skin is part of the genetic baggage, if you want to fight blackheads you must remember that nutrition and lifestyle are also extremely important.Did you know that if you follow the "5 types of fruit and vegetables per day" rule, your body has the zinc necessary to reduce the sebum secretion of your skin? This mineral can help balance hormone levels as well as having an anti-inflammatory and keratogulatory action. It is present in various foods: in fish and meat , in cereals (wheat germ and oats), in legumes, in dried fruit and in seeds (pumpkin, sesame and sunflower), in yeast, in milk, mushrooms, cocoa and egg yolk.
Follow an active lifestyle, decrease sugars, fats and sleep at least 8 hours. Keep yourself hydrated, drink at least 1 and a half liters of water. Finally, if you smoke, seriously consider quitting: this will benefit not only your skin, but your health in general.
