Share: your best way to get rid of blackheads?
I wonder if everyone gets blackheads on their noses. Called comedones by dermatologists, these facial pests are a result of the waxy oil that accumulates on our skin. The expert explanation is that when a minuscule globule of sebum collects at the top of a pore, a whitehead develops. When the waxy oil hardens, plugs the pore and is exposed to air, it turns black through oxidation and becomes a blackhead.
I used to get a lot of blackheads, particularly on my nose. Now I still get them but they seem lesser by comparison because my T-zone is not as oily as before. I’ve tried various methods to get rid of my blackheads, including:
– rubbing baking soda mixed with water on the area.
– rubbing a mix of baking soda with lemon on the area.
– rubbing mashed tomato on the area and leaving it on for 10 mins.
– exfoliating with Cure Natural Aqua Gel.
– applying Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel (now rebranded as B.liv)
– using pore pack nose strips.
But they only help to an extent. The best way I found is actually to squeeze them out with my bare fingers after a warm bath and then applying toner afterwards to the area.
Care to share with me what’s your best method to get rid of your blackheads?
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I exfoliate 1 or 2 time a week with the Cleansing wash from the brand B&C Laboratories. This is really good especially on the nose.
And sometimes to have fun ? I use some peeling masks (from the brands Shills and Pinkey)but they are a little less effective.
Pore Strips aren’t that effective and they affect the skin’s elasticity when you strip it off. I prefer to exfoliate with CURE and Ginvera Marvel gel
speaking of pore strips… i don’t think they work for everyone. i don’t really suffer from lots of blackheads but my nose area is more congested compared to other parts of my face.
i had a minor pore strip accident 2 nights ago. it peeled off a tiny patch of skin from my nose. now i am stuck with a scar perfectly centered on my face! ?
B&C? Don’t think we have it here. I agree that peeling masks can’t rid of blackheads.
I don’t like to use pore strips…agree with you that it’s not good for the skin. I used it maybe a few times and some of it comes off but not all. My husband swears by it though.
What? You peeled off a bit of the skin. Oh dear! I actually don’t like pore strips too. I wrote my views here:
https://www.vivawoman.net/2008/08/15/pore-pack-nose-strips-effective-or-harmful/
They’re know as band-aid to some pple.
double cleanse->hot shower->thin thin layer of clay->scrub->hydrating mask->extraction using bare hands->toner to close pores->mild acid. about twice a week. doesnt take off everything but helps to improve.
Its manual extraction for me. Ha!
CURE is the best exfoliator I’ve tried so far, removing whiteheads and some tiny surface blackheads but it’s not good enough still. My blackheads are too stubborn so the only thing that worked was going for facials with extraction services. The amount of pain varies with the state of the skin and the beautician’s skills. What’s exasperating is how fast the blackheads come back though. Sigh.
For me, a regular everyday rub with Ginvera Marvel Gel does the job well enough. I tried pore strips, but they didn’t do anything for me, just irritated my dry skin.
after i wash my face with cleansing oil, instead of squeezing the black heads, i ‘scratch’ them out with my nails while my face is still wet.
i know it sounds weird but it actually works!
i use a clarisonic brush; seems to do the job pretty well even though it’s pricey
i know how you feel… my blackheads come back within 2 days after extraction and i get clogged pores really easily.. but thankfully my tolerance for pain is pretty high. if i knew how to extract my own blackheads using that metal stick extractor, i would be able to keep them a lot clearer.
i realise that different kind of exfoliators remove different clogged pores in different areas… x.X
I feel that manual extraction takes off more than the others though…and if you follow on with a scrub or exfoliation, even better.
That’s the best option IMO too.
I agree Cure is pretty effective on the nose area but on other parts of the face when the blackhead is deeply embedded, a bit tough. Blackheads come back really quickly on the nose area for me too.
You’re another fan of Ginvera Marvel Gel. Joyce of AtelierGal feels the same. Pore strips seem to work very well for some people. I feel it depends on the size and shape of the nose, and also the pore size.
Scratching? I know about rubbing them out but I’ve never tried scratching. I like scratching my small pimples though…not always good but I’ve got itchy fingers… ?
I’ve read some good things about clarisonic brush. I’m kind of curious about it. But it’s quite ex right?
You raised an interesting point. I find Cure works particularly well for nose region and chin area for me.
I tried using the metal stick extractor but have no idea how it works. I think I’ll probably create more dent and holes out of it.
I like to steam my face and rub the area gently with a wash cloth. But, one has to be careful to be gentle enough on their skin otherwise one can end up rubbing too much and hurting their skin. This is one of the most effective ways of getting rid of blackheads in my experience.
Another way is applying lemon juice mixed with honey or any other carrier so that it does not burn the face and leave it on for sometime. After washing it off, the blackheads are gone.
Has anyone used Libote Sakura’s exfoliating gel before? I cam across this while on a tour in Japan but didn’t buy it. It sounds similar to the Cure gel. http://www.libote.jp/user_data/english_exfoliatinggel.html
I can’t seem to find where to buy this online or in US.
1.Apply some olives oil already mixed with few drops of lemon on your nose or the affected area.
2.Expose your face to steaming water for a minute.
3.Using a cotton rub the nose or the affected area gently, you may need to sequeez but be gentle while doing so.
Finally, always keep your skin moisturized, especially on the T zone.
I recently came upon one of Michelle Phan’s video clip on youtube showing how to create your own pore strips using unflavored gelatin and milk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bjOB4zS0uE&feature=search
I think B&C is a Japanse brand. But I’m not really sure ?
Have you tried mandelic acid? It works really great at getting rid of them. The only thing that really made a difference.
yep i paid over S$200 for the travel sized one iirc, but i use it almost everyday so i guess it’s ok. the only hassle is charging–need to use universal adapter
I agree with you about being careful with the wash cloth. Already when I use my fingers to rub, my nose turn all red.
I haven’t tried lemon with honey…it sounds very intriguing and I must give this a try soon!
No, haven’t come across the brand. But it looks interesting.
Ah thanks for sharing the tip. Lemon with olive oil sounds pretty refreshing. I don’t like to steam my face though but I think this can be done after a warm shower too.
I haven’t seen that one. Will take a look at it. Thanks for sharing the link.
No, I had to search online to find out that it’s a new type of AHA.
Yeah, the price is justified if you’re using it every day.
After a workout/run, I do a quick lukewarm shower, cleanse my face with my usual facial cleanser, and after that a facial scrub from Jensen’s (a German brand recommended by my beautician). By then, the pores on my nose will be fairely open and manual extraction with that mental stick will be easy and quite painless. I personally find that to be more efficient than regular steaming. After that, I’ll apply toner and a cooling mask to tone down the reddness. Works for me!
It’s manual extraction for me with clean hand and toner afterwards.
Lately I’ve been using Ginvera Marvel Gel too for blackheads under my lower lips.
Once in a while I use pore strip but only manage to take out the white heads.
I like the idea of extracting after a warm shower too…it’s easier like what you mentioned.
pore strips, masks, exfoliators, nothing works for me sadly so i have to do manual extraction also. but it just doesnt last and i cant have patience/time to get it clean enough. so i use avene cleanance k to keep them from coming back. ?
Nothing seems to keep them away permanently…unless we don’t secrete oil at all. ?
okie.. i know the topic is on blackheads only… but sometimes i get lazy so i jus cant be bothered to concentrate on them but use the Kose Mask white (which is super black) to peel of the blackheads and whiteheads once a week loh.. seems effective lah at the point of time u do… but of coz… few hours later… blackheads return super fast…
but i feel gd coz it cleans out the whole face!
I have a clarsonic but always forget to use it because my huaband took it over! Its supposed to be much more effective than standard washing/exfoliation. The last time I had a facial, the girl said I didn’t need any extractions! I was shocked.
I use OCM (oil cleansing method). For my oily skin, I mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of castor oil with a few drops of tea tree oil. I massage the oil deeply into my pores about 5 minutes, then I make a steaming for minute or so to open pores. Then i whip up the oil with a washcloth.
I adore this method, it perfectly removes pimples, blackheads, and other imperfections.
It’s the peel off mask right? Quite painful to use that but I’m not surprised it works to get rid of the blackheads.
That’s interesting. I did read raves on the product so it must be quite effective.
I tried OCM for awhile but I stopped cos of the reservations with using hot water on my face.
Oil cleansing method is the BEST way hands down to remove blackheads.
Thanks for sharing your views. I’ve removed the link to the OCM article though as it looks more like an SEO tactic to me.
cure doesn’t work for me but ginvera marvel gel does.. but still have to do manual extraction. i must be doin it wrongly cuz i sometimes get a pimple on my nose afterwards!
Maybe when you extract, you over stimulate the oil glands.
Hi, I don’t have much back heads. But I use the kose black mask. If apply thick layer on dry skin, its super easy to peel off. I also use a clay wash off mask. Makes my face feel very clean after.
I’m quite puzzled nobody mention Cellnique’s Sebum gel. I used that for the occassional clog pores and works really well. I thought it’s supposed to be good for black heads too.
Yes the old Cellnique Sebum gel was good for getting rid of blackheads. It took me awhile to get it working though. My friend had better success. What I do was apply it on my nose and then after awhile when it dries, rub off the get and the blackheads came off too.
1. I always remove every trace of make up and sunscreen in the end of the day to avoid clogged pores.
2. I like using cleansers with salycilic acid.
3. I use a product containing glycolic acid 1-2 times a week.
I see…glycolic acid is used in many products for removing blackheads.
May I know does Cellnique Sebum gel work on black heads? Is it sold in anywhere else beside their salon?
I forgot to reply, I sometimes do manual extractions, after a hot shower,followed by normal and rose toner.That seems to be the only thing that works.
It works with varied results on different people. It’s been renamed to B.liv and now, it’s available at some of the pharmacies in Singapore.
It is also the thing that works best for me.
I visit my dermatologist for my facial cleaning. But this is a very useful tips. thanks
I feel tat eggwhites work the best! its the same usage as pore packs but it realli clears the area especially the nose area.
just nid to apply the eggwhite on the cotton pad and let it dry on its own eventhough it may take a few hours.
I’ve tried egg white on its own but never tried on a cotton pad. But a few hours sounds really long.
haha it is worth it! after tat u will hav a realli clean nose!! i seldom do it though as i’m busy with my sch and part time work. need alot of patient =DD
Cellnique has the Sebum gel sold on their website. But I read somewhere that the formulation is slightly different compared to B.liv’s.
I think they might have explained it on their facebook webpage.
It’s not the same anymore? Actually I don’t know why they want to rename and change it. It was very popular when it launched.
I apply lime juice and clay powder before bed, it’s good for remove blackheads, acne and oily skin.
I am now trying bentonite clay but haven’t yet noticed any thing about blackheads cos my nose area is pretty clean now. But it does help with removing impurities from the face.
Since starting using the Clarisonic Mia brush, I don’t have blackheads anymore. But before owning the brush, I used St. Clare sebum set and it worked wonderful for me.
The brush really sounds good…I guess it’s worth parting money for.
Hey! I thought I’d share a bit on Cure Aqua Gel. It does work pretty well, along with my Watsons facial massager, to reduce my blackheads. It’s not 100% completion, but there has been some visible improvement so I’m grateful for that already! d=
But that’s pretty much what everyone else has been saying anyway. What I really want to share is that, I previously had some misgivings about over-exfoliation, that such products will slough away my good/non-dead skin and leave my facial skin too thin! I noticed that the gel balls up substantially less if I use it after the facial massaging brush, so I guess that shows it only removes dead cells and doesn’t cause additional damage! *phew*
Ah…that’s good to know. I find it quite effective in reducing blackheads on my nose too. Best to use once or twice a week.
i tried gelatine and milk actually it peeled off few of my blackheads but i must do that like thrice a week it doesnt affect the skin which is a good thing. does this baking soda thing work pls reply i am going for a clean up in 2 weeks time and i hate when they use the blackhead tool thingy so i am trying my best to take much as possible b4 i go
It works to a large extent for me but may not be as good as the peel off mask that you’re using.
Hey, jojoba oil does its job for me in term of keeping blackheads to come.
Yeah, not entirely vanish, but I feel they take longer time to “come” to my nose.
Here is what I do, on my cleaned nose (extracted/squeezed/any method you use to clean the blackhead), every night I rub in a drop of jojoba oil on the nose. Yes, RUB IT IN! Not warming up and patting.
I too use oil to hydrate at night. I use Avocado oil, though. Jojoba is a tad too heavy in my liking for whole face. I did try for whole face for 3 months, the skin glowed. But somehow my skin got drier after prolonged use of jojoba oil. (Or it is just me!)
Wow, that sounds great! Good tip! Thanks for sharing. As for the drier skin after prolonged used, maybe you just need to alternate…but I do wonder why that happens.
there’s a korean product called Blackhead Off, by Ciracle. It’s like a sheetmask that softens the sebum and then you just wipe it off. Works well for me, but I wonder if I can make my own.