[toc]Blackheads could make their appearance on skin at any age. Teenagers, adults and even elderly people suffer from this skin problem. Though they are not a serious skin disorder, but make the skin look uneven and dull. They may appear due to many reasons. Age, poor skin care, hormonal imbalance, and hereditary are the factors which give rise to blackheads. So, if you are approaching old age or have a hereditary history of blackheads then prepare to prevent it now rather to repent later.
Blackheads are mainly formed due to accumulation of dirt, oil and dead skin. So, you also need to be careful if you have an oily skin. However, knowledge of your skin type and taking up a skin care routine regularly is a best way to prevent it. And to help you on this, we present here a mix of remedies to prevent and cure blackheads. Apply them along with your skin care routine for a beautiful and flawless skin forever.
10 Ways To Prevent Blackheads
Exfoliate Your Skin
Exfoliating skin is the most important part of skin care if you want to prevent blackheads. You can exfoliate your skin with cleanser, brush and sponge or any exfoliating face wash which are especially manufactured for blackheads removal. But if you don’t want to spend money on expensive commercial products then try this simple yet effective home exfoliator.
Worth Buying
Take baking soda and mix it with water to scrub your skin. You can replace water with apple cider vinegar which is even more beneficial for skin as it has antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
Clay Mask
Applying clay mask is another effective way to keep blackheads at bay. Clay mask helps to clean out the pores ensuring a smooth skin preventing blackheads.
Clay mask also absorbs extra oil from the skin and prevent the formation of clogged pores that results in blackheads. But you need to apply clay mask regularly at least once a week to enjoy a flawless skin.
Pore Strips
Pore strips are easily available in stores. You can buy any one of your choice. Pore strips are easy to use and give you instant result after use. But do not entirely depend on pore strips.
It is important to follow a skin care routine along with this to stay away from blackheads.
Salicylic Acid & Glycolic Acid
Blackheads are formed due to clogged pores embracing dead skin and oil. Salicylic acid and glycolic acid is the remedy to unclog pores extracting dead cells and oils therefore preventing it to occur again. The lipophilic nature of salicylic acids helps to attach to the pores and dissolve the plugs.
Additionally, glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps to remove dead skin and debris from the surface of the skin. So, use skin care products rich in salicylic acid and glycolic acid.
Use Antibacterial Cleanser
Sometimes using a regular face wash and cleanser is not enough to clean the skin properly. Switching to an antibacterial face wash or cleanser would be an intelligent idea in this case.
Antibacterial face wash will prevent the bacterial invasion and ultimately blackheads. You can even use a tea tree oil enriched face wash which works in the same fashion to prevent blackheads.
Change Your Diet
Unhealthy food habits may trigger the formation of blackheads on the skin. So, it is also essential to focus on your eating habit. It has been notices that people who eat more junk, spicy and oily foods are more prone to blackheads. Therefore, it would be a wise decision to control the intake of junk foods.
Surgery foods are also a strong enemy of skin as it slows down the process of cell repair and rejuvenation which result on more clogged pores and finally blackheads. However, certain foods that are rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene are good for controlling blackhead formation. These foods speed up the process of cell turnover and result in fresh skin preventing clogged pores and blackhead. Such foods include carrot, apricot, cantaloupe, oranges and almonds.
Antioxidants
Free radicals are another big enemy of skin that give rise to blackheads, ageing, pore and other skin problems. And the most effective way to fight free radicals or toxin is supplying antioxidant to the skin. Antioxidants protect the skin from damaging effects of free radicals. You can either choose to apply creams rich in antioxidant topically or consume antioxidant rich foods. Lately, many cosmetic brands have introduced skin cream rich in antioxidants.
So, you will easily get one from the market. Green vegetables and fruits are also rich in antioxidants. Therefore, make sure you consume enough fruits and green vegetables in your diet. Another best source of antioxidant is green tea which can be consumed daily basic after meals or during any time of the day.
Astringent
Oily skin is more susceptible to blackheads. So, control the presence of surface oil as much as possible to prevent blackheads. This can be done by regularly cleaning and wiping the skin throughout the day.
Besides this, application of astringent also controls oil on the skin surface. Apply a good quality astringent followed by toning. Astringent reduces the excess oil on the skin while toner tightens the pores.
Maintain Hygiene
It is also important to maintain a hygienic atmosphere at home if you want to prevent blackheads. You may ask where is the connection between hygiene and blackhead. Well, there is a solid connection and an important one. It must be clear to you by now that dirt and oil causes blackheads.
The oil or dirt that may be present in your towel, pillow case or bed cover could stick to your skin when they come in contact and form blackheads. So, make sure that you clean and change your towel, pillow cover and bed cover every week.
Facial Steam
Taking facial steam frequently is also a good way to prevent blackheads. Steam opens clogged pores and also washes away the dirt and oil. You don’t need to visit a spa or parlor to get steam. You can do it easily at the comfort of your own home.
Boil some water in a wide mouth vessel. Place your face in front of the vessel and cover your head along with the vessel with a towel so that the steam doesn’t passes out.