Blackheads are the small annoying bumps that usually appear most commonly on your face though, they can also appear on your chest, back, and neck. While there may be body washes and soaps out there for other areas, blackheads plaguing the face remains an area of concern for many people. Before we dive into products that can help, it’s important to know some information for treating blackheads.
Can blackheads go away on their own?
Without any action against them, blackheads do not go away on their own. Using face washes such as the ones recommended below, face masks, and other treatments may lead them to come out on their own.
Should I squeeze out my blackheads?
Absolutely not! The first major reason not to squeeze out your blackheads is that your hands are dirty. In the process of squeezing out your blackheads, you can put toxins, chemicals, dirt and more oil on your face, all of which are more likely to create more blackheads. Bacteria on your hand can infect your pores and cause pores to become inflamed, causing pimples. Nothing good comes out of trying to squeeze out your blackheads.
7 Best Face Washes for Blackheads
After researching the various face washes for blackheads in the market, we’ve put together a list of the best face washes that can help you with your blackhead situation. You’ll find that many of them work across all skin types, including combination skin, sensitive skin, and dry skin. They even go beyond removing blackheads!
TreeActiv Acne Eliminating Face Cleanser
This Acne Eliminating Face Cleanser by TreeActiv gets rid of your blackheads and unclogs your pores by using sulfur, a natural antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial agent. This face cleanser also includes peppermint oil to keep acne from forming, vitamin C antioxidant to promote the formation of collagen that results in anti-aging abilities and other natural ingredients such as activated charcoal, safe water, honey and jojoba beads. TreeActiv does not include products that may cause skin irritation such as benzoyl peroxide. TreeActiv is cruelty-free, uses natural ingredients, has a surprisingly short ingredients list and seems to work for those with dry and sensitive skin.
DETOX Face + Body Wash by Safe House Natural
Continuing with products that are safe and natural, Safe House Natural’s DETOX Face + Body Wash proves to be one of the best face washes for blackheads. It contains Eucalyptus essential oil that is usually used as a treatment for acne and most importantly blackheads. This face wash also includes other essential oils, activated charcoal, bentonite clay and aloe vera to soothe, heal and clear acne. DETOX Face + Body Wash has approval from PEETA for being cruelty-free, vegan, and organic. This face wash is great for oily, sensitive and acne prone skin types. One major plus is that it works for both men and women.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser Acne Wash
La Roche is the number one skincare brand in European pharmacies for a reason! This acne wash contains 2% salicylic acid, a classic acne medication used to keep acne at bay and remove blackheads. There is clinical evidence to show that the Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser reduces excess surface oil on the face up to a whopping 47%. Although this option is not all natural because it includes lipo hydroxy acid for micro-exfoliation, it is oil-free, fragrance-free, paraben free, and it has been allergy and dermatologist tested. This face wash goes beyond acne and blackhead removal to help smooth out and brighten uneven and dull skin. It also includes a short list of ingredients compared to other face washes that are not in the all-natural category and is suitable for acne prone, oily, and sensitive skin types.
NeedCrystals Microdermabrasion Crystals
These crystals have worked wonders for many of its users in the areas concerning acne scars, stretch marks, fine lines, sun spots, age spots, and most importantly, blackheads. Although you would expect the crystals to be rough, they’re gentle exfoliants that wash away dead skin cells and keep your skins smooth and glowing. Many of the users who tried out these microdermabrasion crystals have reported wonderful results that support what NeedCrystals had promised. What makes these crystals special extend beyond the fact that they are sourced from Brazil and France or the fact that they are for the face and body. These crystals are special because they can be used on their own or mixed with any face wash, cream, gel or oil you already own. Since the crystals are natural purity corundum crystals, making them 100% vegan, gluten-free as well as dye-free, GMO-free, fragrance-free, and cruelty-free. Another plus is the fact that these crystals are for all skin types!
CLEANSE Charcoal Face Wash
This all-natural face wash by Chilogy is one of the best face washes out there for those who just cannot make those blackheads disappear. Chilogy is a company that produces anti-aging products so you can rest assured that this face wash has anti-aging properties as well as vitamins B5 and C to help keep the skin naturally firm and hydrated. Some of its users have referred to this product as “black magic” due to the experience they’ve had. This face wash is not only great for those with blackheads, but also those with eczema and rosacea. It has quite a long list of ingredients but the majority feature organic products such as organic aloe, oils, and extracts. It’s emphasized that both men and women can use this face wash. Even teens and children because of its non-irritating formula. The best part, however, is that it works for all skin types and complexions. Whether you have dark skin or light skin, have oily, dry or sensitive skin, it’s safe for you to give this face wash a try! Another plus is that it’s paraben free and cruelty-free.
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
There’s much to be excited for when it comes to this gel cleanser besides the fact that it’s foam and smells great! It has AHA/BHA to remove dead skin cells and sugarcane to brighten it. The best part about this is that users have reported smaller blackheads after just one wash. Ursa Major claims 99.5% of the face wash is completely natural with 51% organic ingredients. Ursa. The “Hero Ingredients” that make this face wash different from the rest are white tea (provides plenty of antioxidants), rice seed (smooths the skin) and sugarcane (naturally provides glycolic acid to brighten the skin). On top of all that, the face wash is fragrance-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free and vegan. Any smells or colors from this product is 100% natural! This face wash works well with normal, combination, oily and acne-prone skin!
ULTIMATE Organic Face Wash
With most of the above products geared toward women, it’s important not to forget that men also deal with blackheads. So, for the men out there who can’t seem to find face washes that eliminate their blackheads, Barbary’s ULTIMATE Organic Face Wash might just do the job. The anti-aging face wash is geared towards men but can be used by women also! With all natural and organic ingredients free of paraben and synthetic fragrances, this face wash cleans and nourishes your skin. There’s immense support from its users that everything the company claims this face wash will do, actually happens. It deep cleans your skin, keeps you looking younger, and most importantly, it prevents the formation of acne and blackheads. Anyone, male or female, can use this face wash because it’s for all skin types and all complexions.
DIY Treatments to get rid of Blackheads
Some of you have a DIY spirit that yearns for a remedy to take out those blackheads. It’s very possible that your guide to a safe, gentle and effective blackhead removal remedy is something you already own!
Molivera Organics 100% Pure Bentonite Clay
Bentonite Clay is volcanic ash that happens to be filled with many minerals essential to the health of your skin and body. When applied on the skin, the clay draws out toxins and bacteria alike from your skin and infuses it with nutrients.
You can mix this product with apple cider vinegar, water, or oils to make anything from hair conditioners to face masks. Molivera Organics 100% Pure Bentonite Clay is food grade which means it can be consumed so it’s great for also making toothpaste. Preparation of this product as a face mask takes about 5 to 20 minutes, depending on your skin type. Feel free to use this bentonite clay powder as a bath too (with different instructions) if you have blackheads on other parts of your body.
The most common way to use bentonite clay is:
- Mix 1 part bentonite clay powder with 2 parts liquids and oils such as water, honey, tea tree oil, and even green tea.
- That’s it!
Amara Organics Aloe Vera Gel
Another DIY ingredient that is creating lots of buzz is Amara Organics Aloe Vera Gel. Users of this aloe vera gel swear by it and encourage others with skincare issues such as acne to use it. This product contains 99.75% aloe vera and 0.25% of natural preservatives. Although this particular product includes Xanthan, there don’t seem to be any complaints of irritation from users. An interesting fact about aloe vera is that it can be combined with bentonite powder to form a mask!
Baking Soda
Having a pack of baking soda safely stored in your kitchen pantry might do you more good than you would initially think. Baking soda dries the excess oil that builds up on your skin to prevent and dry out blackheads. It’s easy to find a box of baking soda in your kitchen, mix it with water, paste it to your face and rinse it off after a few minutes. Make sure to follow-up with a moisturizing agent such as aloe vera gel or moisturizer.
The steps for a DIY baking soda paste varies but is also very simple no matter which you chose to do. The most typical, however, is using baking soda and water.
- Make sure to use a facial cleanser for your face before using the baking soda paste.
- Mix 2 parts baking soda to 1 part water to form a thick paste
- Apply the baking soda paste only to the blackhead affected sections to minimize excessive dryness of your face.
- Leave on for about 2 minutes
You can also mix baking soda with salt, sugar, honey, milk, and very famously, apple cider vinegar.
What's the difference between a blackhead and a pimple?
A blackhead is a type of acne with a partially clogged pore filled with oil secreted by your skin (sebum). Due to the blackhead being only partially filled, the sebum flows on to the surface of the skin. Oxygen from the air then reacts to the exposed pore to create the black color you are familiar with.
A pimple is also a type of acne that forms when a pore is inflamed. Since inflammation only occurs when the body is trying to combat an infection, this means that once a blackhead or another type of acne has been infected, the body’s way of fighting that infection is to inflame the infected pores and create pimples.
The difference between a blackhead and a pimple lies in the understanding that a blackhead is essentially an excess secretion of oil and a pimple is caused by an infection.
Why do blackheads form?
Sebum is produced by your skin to keep it soft, however, there are factors that can lead to overproduction of sebum in your pores and cause blackheads. One cause of blackheads could be that your sebaceous glands produce too much oil. We all have different skin types, but it just so happens that those with oily skin are more likely to have blackheads due to overproduction of sebum.
Another reason blackheads form may be birth control pills, menstruation, or any bodily changes that can mess with your hormones. Hormones are chemicals that control many things in your body, one of them including the secretion of oil. Changes in your hormones could lead to more oil production resulting in blackheads.
A common cause of blackheads can also be found in corticosteroids and androgens. Corticosteroids are a class of drugs that cause hormonal changes. If blackheads are a real problem for you, make sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about drugs you may be taking that include corticosteroids and androgens.
What does charcoal do to your face?
In many blackhead removal face washes and masks, activated charcoal is a common ingredient. While normal charcoal has many uses, activated charcoal has added oxygen which makes it more effective than normal charcoal in the removal of toxins. Since toxins are literally everywhere, having activated charcoal in face washes, masks, and more is beneficial. Activated charcoal actually pulls out dirt, toxins, bacteria, and chemicals from your face. It is also able to draw out excess oil from your face which stops blackheads from forming.
Tips to maintain healthy radiant skin
Blackhead removal kits are time-consuming and may do more damage than good if not done right. While one of the above products are bound to help you out with your blackhead situation, it’s always good to form a skin care routine that prevents blackheads from forming.
- Drink lots, and lots of water: this is a good thing whether it’s for your skin, hair or overall health
- Stop touching your face: you may forget that you just ate fries from McDonald's a few hours ago. Although you wiped your hand on a napkin, you’re still putting all that oil from the fries to your face when you touch it. Don’t forget you also touch a million other things during the course of a single day so unless you’re willing to wash your hands after touching something, keeping your hands from your face is one of the best ways to prevent clogged pores that eventually cause blackheads.
- Clean your make-brush: to clean your brush, mix together a bit of face wash with warm water in a cup. Place your brushes in it, move them around and rest assured that what you see in the water will not end up on your face the next time you put on makeup.
- Try a face mask: face masks are a great way to remove impurities and more importantly, remove excess oil that could clog your pores and potentially cause blackheads.
- Try using an electronic cleansing brush: They give a deeper, more consistent cleanse. It also provides a gentle exfoliation so dirt and buildup doesn't clog your pores.
- Manage stress: last but not least, stress can cause more breakouts on your face. While it might impossible to completely eliminate stress, managing stress is good for maintaining healthy skin and a healthy body. Exercising is beneficial because it decreases stress but also because it induces sweat which has also been shown to get rid of impurities.
Conclusion
There are many remedies in the market from removal kits to at home remedies that are not only time consuming and but have little chance of working. This article is a comprised list of highly rated face washes and natural DIY options that has proven to be effective on blackheads and acne for many people. Now that you are armed with information and many treatment options, it’s to choose what works for you and eliminate those blackheads. Feel free to start celebrating because there's a good chance you're going to find a product that leads you down a path of clear and healthy skin!