Home Remedies for Blackheads
Getting Rid of Blackheads with Home Remedies
Many home remedies for blackheads will do a so-so job but getting rid of blackheads for good takes some special treatment one or more times a week.
Blackheads are actually open comedones as opposed to closed comedones like you have with pimples. The pore is filled with accumulated oils which turns a yellow/brown color as it is oxidized by the air. To the eye they appear to be black.
It is not true that blackheads are caused by lack of cleansing. You could scrub your skin three times a day and still have them.
The best home remedies for blackheads are facial masks that absorb excess oil, dead skin cells, and dirt out of the pores while stimulating blood circulation in the skin and tightening pores. If you mix your own mask at home, it is a very inexpensive solution.
Facial masks of this type use clay powder mixed with a liquid. The resulting paste is then applied to the skin and left on for 20 to 30 minutes. It is then rinsed off with water and followed up with a moisturizer. For people who are susceptable to acne, aloe vera gel is great to use after a facial mask.
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Fullers Earth Powder
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Fuller's Earth is probably the most commonly used clay for a facial mask. It is called Fuller's Earth because it was first used by Fullers to remove the lanolin from sheep's wool. It is gentle enough that it can be used every day by most people.
To make a mask, mix together one table spoon of Fuller's Earth and one tablespoon water or rose water. You can make it thinner or thicker as you wish. Apply the paste to the skin avoiding the area around the eyes. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water. Then use a wash cloth to remove any impurities brought to the surface.
French Green Clay is mined in quarries in France. It has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it a good choice if active acne breakouts are present. Make a mask the same way as you would with Fuller's earth.
Rhassoul Clay is a popular clay used worldwide by spas for facial masks and body wraps. It is mined in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and has been used as a skin conditioner since ancient times. It can be used in the same way as Fuller's Earth, and French Green Clay. Rhassoul Clay is particularly good for unblocking pores. Ghassoul (Rhassoul) Moroccan Lava Clay 
When mixing up a clay facial mask you can add other ingredients such as lavender essential oil, cypress oil, sage oil, or lemon oil. Or you could add mashed up avocado, egg yolk, honey, or yogurt. If your skin is extremely oily and you are prone to acne, you could add witch hazel extract, lemon juice, tea tree oil, or vinegar.
French Green Clay Clarifying Face Mask
If you want an instant solution for blackheads, you can purchase paper strips that you moisten and place over the affected area. You let the strip dry and when you remove it, the blackheads come out with it. The strips are shaped so that they will fit over all the areas of your nose. You can, however, cut them up to fit any area of your face. They do work well but the result is temporary and the process has to be repeated regularly. These strips do not give you all the benefits of using a facial clay mask one to three times a week.
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