Home Remedies and Herbs for Blackheads

Blackheads are a skin disorder associated with acne. Medically, blackheads are called an open comedo. Blackheads, or open comedones, differ from whiteheads which are called closed comedones. Whiteheads are skin defects composed of the same debris, oil and bacteria, however, the follicle plug does not reach the skin surface and oxidize from air exposure, rather it remains closed, becomes infected and produces white pus.^1,2
 
Blackheads are neither infected nor inflamed and can remain on the skin surface for a long time without developing into a red mass that’s called a pimple. Pimples develop from whiteheads, not blackheads, and a mass of pimples is what’s generally referred to as the skin disease acne. ^1,2,3
 
Blackheads on the nose are the most common form of open comedones but they can appear anywhere on the face, neck, arms and back. While some consider blackheads unsightly, they are harmless and don’t lead to severe acne that results in skin scarring. ^1,2,3

What Causes Blackheads
 
Blackhead causes are due to widened hair follicles in the skin that become clogged with dead skin cells and debris, skin oil known as sebum as well as forms of skin-borne bacteria. When this combination of debris, oil and bacteria reach the skin surface it is exposed to air and oxidizes. The oily plug darkens and becomes a blackhead. ^1,2
 
Blackhead causes are often related to early age where the vast majority of people reaching puberty experience blackheads and acne skin disease. Heredity also plays a role in blackheads as a person who has one or both parents that developed blackheads are more likely to do the same. Hormone changes from aging, pregnancy and birth control also contribute to blackhead causes. ^1,2,4,5
 
Blackhead causes can also be attributed to certain oily cosmetics as well as medications such as steroids, anticonvulsants, bromides and iodides. ^2,3,4
 
It’s important to know what does not cause blackheads. Myths exist about blackhead causes that include eating greasy food and chocolate or having long, oily hair. There is no medical proof these cause blackheads but there is evidence that smoking is a contributing factor as well as stress. ^2,3
 
Blackheads Symptoms
 
Blackhead symptoms are very clear. They form as small black spots that appear as blackheads on the nose and face but can develop on the neck, arms and back. Blackheads rarely increase in size, unlike infected whiteheads and pimples. ^1,2,4
 
Natural Remedies and Herbs for Blackheads
 
Blackheads natural remedies are aimed at cleaning the skin, decreasing oil production, opening the pores and follicles as well as changing the skin’s pH level. Some of the best blackheads natural remedies include:

• Baking Soda, Sea Salt and Water - Baking soda, sea salt and water combine to clean skin, lower the pH level that contributes to high oil production and remove blackheads.
• Lemon, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Egg and Baking Soda - This combination works to clean the skin, reduce the pH level and remove blackheads.
• Raw Tomato - Raw tomato can be eaten or topically applied to treat blackheads symptoms. Tomato contains natural acids that restore skin oil balance and cleans clogged pores. Tomato also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C and K that shrink pores and promote skin health.
• Baking Soda and Lemon - Lemon juice is one of the best blackheads natural remedies. It contains Alpha-Hydroxyl Acid (AHA), a citric acid that naturally removes dead cells, oil and bacteria that cause blackheads symptoms.
• Lemon and Sugar - Lemon juice mixed with sugar helps to clean pores and remove blackheads. They’re mixed to make a scrub which should be massaged into the affected blackhead area.
• Honey and Lemon - Honey is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic that works to pull blackheads from clogged pores.

References

1. https://medlineplus.gov/acne.html
2. http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/blackheads
3. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=10439
4. https://draxe.com/how-to-get-rid-of-blackheads/
5. http://thefacialfitness.com/blackhead-remedies/