Blackheads can plague virtually all of us. When they appear on the face or nose, many people reach for chemical products or resort to mechanical scrubbing of the skin. But what if there are natural and less aggressive methods to get rid of the complications? Both science and home practice prove that even a simple procedure can help significantly. You just need to know what ingredients to reach for at home.

There are three ingredients that we all have in our kitchens, but besides being used in cooking, they also have a very positive effect on our skin. They can help blackheads disappear or at least significantly reduce them. Which foods are they, why do they help and how do you apply them to your skin?

Why and how blackheads form

In order to talk about what helps against blackheads, we first need to understand why and how they occur. Blackheads occur when a hair follicle or pore opening becomes clogged with a mixture of sebum, dead skin cells and possibly bacteria. This mixture oxidises when exposed to air and turns a dark colour.

Experts recommend daily or two-step cleansing of the skin, as regular removal of makeup, dirt and excess oil is key to preventing blackheads and other skin problems. But there’s no need to use expensive drugstore products, which are often full of chemicals, to cleanse your skin. It’s far better to bet on natural options.

Three ingredients from your kitchen

A few ingredients that everyone probably has at home can help against blackheads far better than special products. Which ones are they?

  • Honey: this natural substance with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties helps reduce bacteria on the skin’s surface and soothe irritation. In addition, it helps bind moisture in the skin, which prevents excessive sebum formation.
  • Yogurt: This food contains lactic acid and live cultures that help gently exfoliate dead skin cells and can improve skin texture. Regular application of yogurt pack can help open the pores and hence prevent excessive sebum formation in them.
  • Turmeric: Turmeric contains the substance curcumin, which has strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. While there are not enough large clinical studies targeting this substance specifically to help against blackheads, review articles have cited its potential against acne.
Various masks help against blackheads. You can also try homemade ones that contain honey, turmeric and yoghurt. ━━ Various masks help against blackheads. You can also try homemade ones that contain honey, turmeric and yoghurt. ( Source: Bermix Studio /  Unsplash+ )

Tips for maximum effect

Honey, yogurt and turmeric can be used separately on the skin. However, it is also excellent to combine the substances to create a kind of mask and then apply it to your skin not only for problems, but also as a prevention against them. Always cleanse your skin properly before applying the mask. Removing make-up, dirt and excess sebum will allow the substances to work more deeply.

After washing off the mask, use a light, non-comedogenic moisturiser to help the skin regenerate. Always avoid squeezing out blackheads. This type of removal can easily lead to inflammation of the skin, and it also leaves small scars on the skin. Last but not least, it is important to be patient. Blackheads are not a problem that you get rid of overnight. But if you take the necessary steps against them, they will disappear in a few days.