24 Worth-Trying Ways How To Get Rid Of Blackheads On Face & Body Fast

Overview

Blackheads are small bumps found in your skin when the sebum and debris are clogged and cause inflammation. They can appear in every part of your body, especially in the nose and chin. Although blackheads are very popular and affect almost all people, treating them is even more difficult than treating acne. In today's article, we, Beauty Talk, will list out some impressive ways on how to get rid of blackheads on the face and body fast that you should know.

• Top 36 effective solutions for blackheads
• Top 16 simple methods to use baking soda for blackheads
• Top 14 essential oils for acne and blackheads

24 Worth-Trying Hacks To Get Rid Of Blackheads On Face & Body 

I. What Are Blackheads?

A blackhead is a mild form of acne, which appears when the pores are clogged. The sebaceous glands are responsible for producing sebum to hydrate and soften your skin. However, when too much oil is produced, it collects dead skin cells and debris together on the pores and causes inflammation. This will result in the formation of blackheads and acne.

II. What Are The Causes Of Blackheads?

• Hormones: The hormonal changes are considered one of the main reasons for blackheads as they can catalyze the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Blackheads can also appear in teenagers during puberty. In this process, the excess oil produced on the skin surface may combine with dead skin cells and bacteria to cause infection. If this problem continues, the pores will be enlarged and then form blackheads.
• Stress: Researchers have found a close relationship between stress and blackheads^[1]. Stress only cannot cause new blackheads, but it can worsen the available ones. When you are stressed, your body produces two substances called cortisol and androgens; these substances will increase the production of oil and make your situation uncontrollable. Women are more sensitive to this cause in comparison with men.
• Unhealthy Diet: An unhealthy diet with too much greasy foods, fast food, and potato chips can also lead to acne and blackheads.
• Smoking: There is nothing to surprise that smoking can cause blackheads. When you are taking a cigarette, the smoke will absorb into your skin layers and cause inflammation, one of the main reasons for acne.

III. Foods To Eat For Blackhead Removal

1. Protein

Protein is proved to be good for both heart and skin health. It balances the blood sugar level, so it helps maintain a healthy body. Lean protein also helps you to fight against the formation of blackheads and acne. Foods rich in protein are grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, organic chicken, free-range eggs, and so on.

2. Vitamin C

As stated by the National Institutes of Health, vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the development of tissues in the body^[2]. The antioxidants available in vitamin C-rich foods will help to fight against skin diseases, including blackheads. These foods are apples, mango, pineapple, cherry, papaya, melon, pear, etc. The juice made from these fruits is also good for your blackhead treatment. You are advised to consume more vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, sweet and white potatoes, etc. to speed up the healing process.

3. Selenium

The Linus Pauling Institute claimed that selenium is especially needed for healthy skin^[3]. This substance is found in both plant and animal sources. The animal-based selenium-rich foods are oyster, clam, beef, pork, lamb, and organ meat. The plant-based ones are oatmeal, oat bran, white bran, brown rice, barley, etc.

4. Fiber 

The high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds can assist your body to kill bacteria, causing blackheads. Also, consuming enough amount of fiber helps to keep your body healthy and robust over inflammation.

5. Vitamin A

Vitamin A has antioxidant properties, so it helps eliminate bacteria and germs, leading to blackheads. Moreover, vitamin A can prevent the skin cells from being overactive and soothe the inflammation effectively^[4]. To increase the blackheads healing process, you should consume more carrots, beef liver, and spinach.

6. Probiotic Foods

The good bacteria from probiotic foods will boost your immune system and help to combat inflammation better. Eating these foods will contribute to increasing the digestion – an effective way to remove pimples and maintain skin health^[5]. The vitamins and protein in these foods are also beneficial to your skin and body. Therefore, consume more yogurt, cultural vegetables, and kefir to achieve the desired result.

7. Zinc

Zinc is also a necessary substance to maintain glowing skin^[6]. It helps to increase immunity and digestion, which will later bring about blackhead free skin. The high-zinc foods are pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and hemp seeds.

IV. Foods To Avoid For Blackhead Removal

1. Chocolate

It seems to be unbelievable, but chocolate is one of the biggest causes of blackheads and acne^[7]. A study was conducted in males with the history of acne, and its result pointed out that the ones who ate chocolate exacerbated the situation, while the ones who avoided did not. Therefore, avoid the consumption of chocolate to remove blackheads fast. If you cannot stop yourself from eating chocolate, choose the dark one; it contains less sugar but more nutrients than other types.

2. Conventional Dairy

Many people believe that dairy is right for their skin and health. However, this is not a fact. Dairy, on the other hand, is the leading cause of infection in both intestines and skin surface, which in turn leads to the formation of acne and blackheads^[8]. Moreover, drinking conventional dairy too often can cause breast and prostate cancer^[9].

3. Hydrogenated Oil

As we recommend above, the excess oil on the skin surface can cause inflammation and blackhead formation. Therefore, avoid hydrogenated oil entirely because it can cause oily skin. This kind of oil can be found in pizza and packaged foods containing vegetable oil, soybean oil, and corn oil.

4. Fast Foods

Scientists claimed that eating fast food regularly can increase the risk of getting acne and blackheads by 17 percent^{[10] [11]}. The harmful substances in fast foods will cause hormonal changes, one of the main reasons for blackheads. Furthermore, these foods contain chemicals, sugar, sodium, hydrogenated oils, and flavorings, which are all harmful to your health. You cannot maintain beautiful skin if your body is not healthy. Therefore, keep away from these foods to ensure both your health and your appearance.

5. Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Omega-6 fatty acids are demonstrated to increase inflammation and blackhead formation. Western people often consume many corn and soy oils (omega-6 sources) but very few fish or walnuts (omega-3 sources). This is not a good habit because it leads to the imbalance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which can worsen your situation. It even exacerbates the blackheads and causes many other skin diseases. Therefore, try to lessen the amount of omega-6 fatty acids but add more omega-3 rich food to your diet to gain blackhead free skin.

6. Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrate foods can increase the risk of developing blackheads by 30 percent. The refined carbohydrate can easily absorb into your bloodstream, which contributes to increasing the blood sugar levels. In this case, insulin levels have to rise to transfer the sugar from your bloodstream to your cells. However, the high insulin levels can make androgen hormones more and more active, which will boost sebum production and cause breakouts. This is how refined carbohydrates contribute to worsening your blackheads. Therefore, it is necessary for you to remove those foods from your diet:

• Bread, cereal, and crackers
• White rice
• Rice noodles
• Pasta from white flour
• Soda and sweet drinks
• Sweeteners

V. How-To Tips

A. How To Get Rid Of Blackheads On The Face

1. Wash Your Face Regularly

This method can help you to wipe out the dirt and excess oil accumulating under your skin. Washing your face in the morning will help to remove the bacteria, which may transfer from the pillow to your skin. Night washing is aimed at removing makeup and dirt, which enter your skin during the day. Both these steps are essential; you should not skip them. Also, you can take a third to cleanse during the day if you want. This step will help to remove the sweat and oil to keep the pores clean.

2. Exfoliate Twice Per Week

Besides bacteria and dirt, dead skin cells are also the cause of acne and blackheads. If you do not exfoliate your skin, the dead skin cells will not be removed; they will accumulate and clog the pores with the help of excess oil. However, your skin will become dry and is easy to get blackheads if you exfoliate too much. Therefore, it is essential to make up a vigilant exfoliation routine. You should exfoliate twice per week only. If you have oily skin, you can implement this step thrice per week. Also, remember to apply a mild moisturizer to your skin after exfoliating to nourish your skin.

3. Remove Makeup Before Going To Bed

The last but the most important thing you have to do before going to bed is to remove the makeup. If you sleep with your makeup, more and more blackheads and acne will arrive. The makeup layer will cause inflammation on your skin if it is left through the night. Especially if you do not remove the eye makeup, it will cause redness and irritation.

B. How To Get Rid Of Blackheads On The Body

1. Wear Loose Clothes

The first and most important tip on how to get rid of blackheads on the body is to wear comfortable and loose clothes. Wearing comfortable clothes will help to prevent sweat, especially when you are going in the sun. If you wear tight clothes while you are sweating, the sweat can easily absorb into your skin and cause infection. If you are not aware of this issue and wear tight clothes continuously, it creates a humid environment for the bacteria and germs to develop and cause blackheads. This tip seems to be very ordinary, but it works.

2. Take A Shower After Exercising

As we all know, the sweat can lead to blackhead formation, so it is essential to take a shower right after exercising or working in the sun. Also, change your wet clothes to keep your skin dry. This will help you to both keep your skin clean and prevent skin diseases.

VI. Effective Remedies For Blackheads

If you have changed your diet and strictly followed the above how-to tips, but your situation is not improved, you can combine them with the following effective remedies to speed up the blackhead healing process.

1. Baking Soda 

Baking soda has antiseptic properties, so it is useful in treating many skin problems, including blackheads. It can work as a natural exfoliant to remove the dead skin cells on the skin surface. This ingredient also contributes to nourishing and softening your skin. Baking soda is proved to be able to balance the pH level of your skin, so it helps control the oil production and lessen the formation of blackheads.

Things you need:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• A small amount of water

How to do

• Prepare a small glass bowl
• In this bowl, mix baking soda with water to get a paste
• Spread this paste over the blackheads
• Wait for about ten minutes (until the paste dry naturally)
• Wash it off with fresh water
• Try this remedy once or twice per week to treat blackheads completely.

2. Turmeric Remedy

Applying turmeric mask is considered one of the best ways on how to get rid of blackheads. Turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, so it helps to kill the bacteria and germs, causing clogged pores and blackheads. Furthermore, turmeric is rich in curcumin, a natural substance with antimicrobial properties, which can help to wipe away the harmful bacteria on your skin^[12]. Besides, using turmeric mask is an excellent way to lighten the skin tone and keep it smooth and glowing.

Remedy 1: Turmeric And Coconut Oil

Things you need

• 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

How to do

• Mix turmeric with the coconut oil well
• Apply this mixture to the blackheads
• Leave it on for 10 – 15 minutes
• Wash it off with fresh water

Remedy 2: Turmeric And Mint Juice

Things you need

• 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder
• 2 tablespoons of fresh mint juice

How to do

• Mix turmeric with mint juice to get a thick paste
• Apply this paste to blackheads on your skin
• Leave it on for 10-15 minutes
• Wash it off with fresh water
• Apply a natural moisturizer to hydrate your skin.

3. Honey Remedy

Honey has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, so it is powerful at eliminating blackheads. It will help to cleanse the dust and impurities in the pores to prevent them from being clogged and inflamed^[13]. Moreover, it works as a natural antibiotic that helps to both keep your skin clean and tighten it. After a time of applying honey masks, your skin will become bright and glowing.

Things you need

• 1 tablespoon of raw honey
• A small jar
• A soft cloth

How to do

• Put honey into the jar
• Heat this jar until it warm enough to touch
• Apply the warm honey to the affected area
• Let it stay for about 10 minutes
• Warm the cloth and remove honey on your face using this cloth.

4. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is packed with alpha-hydroxy acid, which can work very effectively in removing dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores; thereby, it helps lower the risk of getting acne and blackheads^[14]. Besides, lemon juice is a significant source of vitamin C and antioxidants, which play an essential role in stimulating collagen production and preventing scarring.

Things you need

• A fresh lemon
• A glass bowl
• A cotton ball

How to do

• Wash your face with a mild cleanser as usual
• Squeeze the lemon juice into the glass bowl
• Immerse the cotton ball in the juice and apply to blackheads on your skin
• Leave it on for about 10 minutes or through the night
• Wash it off with fresh water.

VII. How To Prevent Blackheads From Reoccurring

Here are some ways you should keep in mind to prevent the appearance of blackheads.

• Always keep your skin clean
• Wash your skin with lukewarm water and avoid using hot one as it can make your skin dry and prone to blackheads
• Avoid using bar soap since it may clog the pores
• Remove makeup with mild cleanser and remover, or else, it will cause allergies and acne
• Daily apply moisturizer to nourish your skin
• Exfoliate your skin frequently to keep it clean and free of dead skin cells and impurities
• Plan a healthy diet with many fruits, vegetables, fatty acids, but few fat, sugar, chocolate, etc.
• Drink enough water, about 8 cups per day

Above is all useful information about the ways on how to get rid of blackheads on the face and body fast and safely. A single remedy cannot make a difference, so you need to combine some of them at the same time to obtain the best result. For instance, when you are trying to add more vitamin A and C to your diet, you should consider changing the lousy care habits such as exfoliating too much or wearing tight clothes. If you have other ways or questions about our directions, you can leave your comment under this article. For other natural home remedies for beauty and health issues, you can visit our Skin Care to get more information.

The content available on this post is provided for educational and informational purposes. Therefore, you are advised to consult your doctor before following any method.

Read more: Top 19 Beneficial Ways To Fade Away Melasma. This article was medically reviewed/fact checked by Dr Bindiya Gandhi, MD.