The blackheads are a common problem that affects all skin types, especially those with oily skin. The blackheads and whiteheads usually occur around the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. The blackheads are caused by hardened masses of sebum, formed in the ducts or the sebaceous glands. They are direct result of skin pores becoming clogged with sebum and dead skin cells.

Blackheads are technically referred to as open comedones. These bumps are often indented and may look like tiny plugs. The confusion over blackheads and whiteheads has to do with the fact that blackheads accompany oily skin where whiteheads could be present on oily or dry skin.

Blackheads are a combination of oils, sebum and cellular fragments that produce firm to hard plugs within hair follicles. Blackheads are open to the skin's surface and become darkened at the surface by exposure to oxygen (oxidation). They are called open comedones (or comedo, singular). When bacteria are added to these plugs, the condition can lead to acne.

Blackheads are caused when sebum (the skin's natural oil) collects and hardens in the pores. The congesting toxins that are being expelled through your skin from the blood and lymph fluid combines with sebum creating a pasty glue. The exposed tip becomes oxidized and black, hence the name - blackheads . Oily and combination skins are most susceptible to these.

Take 2 tablespoons of oatmeal and 3 tablespoons of yoghurt. Mix and add one tablespoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of olive oil, Blend and whisk well together in a bowl. Wash your hands and then apply over infected area first, then all over the face. Leave on for 5-7 minutes and then rinse with cold water. Very effective for blackheads.

Keep blackheads at bay by using a blackhead cleanser, rinsing your face thoroughly and using a toner meant to tighten the pores. AHA (Alpha Hydroxyl Fruit Acids) creams have been found useful in clearing away dead skin cells and helping to expose blackheads, if any. It has been found that a lotion made of equal parts of lime juice, almond oil and glycerin applied to the face not only cures blackheads, but discolour spots also disappear, as well.

Exfoliate
Make sure the blackheads don?t reappear by exfoliate your skin with a face scrub, to get rid of dead skin so they do not block pores. Use it on your nose, or wherever you have blackheads. Scrub the area gently. Do not be too harsh as you may cause further damage.

Saturate a part of washcloth with almond or olive oil. Place a dab of toothpaste on the washcloth. Rub the toothpaste gently over the nose with the washcloth. Massage it into your whole face and keep it for 5 minutes. Wash it with hot water. Again wash it with cold water to close the pores. Pat it dry with a towel.


Wash the skin gentle, natural exfoliating product and pat the skin dry. Later steam your face with boiling water, and a few drops of tea tree oil to open the pores and soften the skin. Apply a clay mask, such as bentonite clay or seaweed clay mask to absorb the oil in blocked pore. Leave it for more than 10 min and rinse of with warm water.