How To Get Rid Of Blackheads Naturally At Home

Want to find out how to get rid of blackheads naturally at home? Me too! I’ve had blackheads since I hit puberty and my skin hit its oily peak.

I’ve tried scrubbing them and squeezing them, but the stubborn bastards just keep coming back!

Think you can rely on pore strips to remove and prevent blackheads?

Think again – these just rip off your skin and allow more bacteria to enter into your skin, which means more blackheads!

I’m not sure I’ll ever totally be rid of blackheads, but I have found ways to reduce them in 6 easy steps.

I also share how to get rid of blackheads naturally at home with a few natural remedies and lifestyle changes (because not everyone can afford a skin care overhaul at once!).

*this post contains affiliate links*

But First, What Are Blackheads?

Blackheads are annoying tiny black spots/bumps that are commonly found on the nose, but can show up on other parts of the body too. Blackheads form when the opening of a hair follicle (a.k.a. a pore) becomes clogged or plugged with dead skin cells and oil – gross!

The exposure of the oil and dead skin cells to air causes this nasty mixture to oxidize and become black in appearance. Pores that are simply plugged with oil, but are not black in color, are called sebaceous filaments.

The build up of dirt, oil and even makeup can contribute to sebaceous filaments and blackheads, so keeping your skin clean is essential to avoiding blackheads.

1. Exfoliation with AHAs and BHAs (especially the BHAs!)

Daily exfoliation with alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids is key to preventing and reducing blackheads and sebaceous filaments. If your skin cannot handle daily exfoliation, try exfoliating with a chemical exfoliant 2-3 times a week instead.

Alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic or lactic acid) help exfoliate the top layer of skin and remove dead skin cells that can get trapped in the pore to create a sebaceous filament – which can then turn into a blackhead.

Beta hydroxy acids, like salicylic acid, are oil-soluble and therefore great for deep cleaning pores and removing oil.

BHAs reduce the probability that a sebaceous filament will turn into a blackhead.

Some of the liquid exfoliants I’ve used to treat blackheads in the past are:

• Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Extreme Night Pads: Includes glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid all in one. I love these pads and use them daily. My detailed review is here.
• COSRX Blackhead Power Liquid: A Korean BHA toner that includes 4% betaine salicylate (similar in strength to 2% salicylic acid, but gentler).
• Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – a cult classic! Read my full review here.

The Ordinary also has a great salicylic acid serum that you can apply directly to your problem areas to target blackheads and clogged pores.

2. Retinoids/Retinol Or Bakuchiol To Prevent Blackheads

Retinoids, or retinoic acid, is very effective in treating a host of skin conditions, including acne and blackheads. Retinoids work in the deeper layers of the skin to increase the rate at which new skin cells are pushed to the surface. It also minimizes pore size and helps unclog pores to help reduce or prevent blackheads.

My favourite retinol at the moment is Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment and it has definitely helped to reduce my pore size and blackheads, as well as my overall skin tone and texture.

If you are new to retinols, I highly recommend that you read my post 11 Things You Should Know About Retinol, as retinol can cause dryness and irritation if you don’t know how to use it properly or have never used retinol before.

A gentle retinol product that I’m in love with is the Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic (review). If you have sensitive skin, have never used retinol or are pregnant/breastfeeding, you can consider using Bakuchiol to treat your blackheads instead.

Bakuchiol is a gentler alternative to retinol that is great for treating acne and blackheads while improving overall skin texture.

Shop retinols and bakuchiol!

 

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3. Mechanical Exfoliation

Mechanical exfoliation comes in the form of scrubs, creams or gel cleansers with micro-beads or aluminum oxide crystals mixed in.

These exfoliants remove dead skin cells when physically rubbed across the skin and are a great way to prevent blackheads. I love using a mechanical exfoliant once or twice a week (more than that is too much!) to brighten my skin and tighten my pores.

My current favourite mechanical exfoliant is The Body Shop’s Drops of Youth Liquid Peel (I know it’s referred to as a peel, but it’s really a scrub!) – this peel is amazing and removing dead skin and seriously destroys clogged pores to allow your skin care products to penetrate even better.

Be sure you do not purchase any scrubs that include pumice or nut shells in them, as they can be too harsh for skin and create small micro-tears in the skin or cause redness and irritation.

Over-exfoliation with scrubs can cause skin to peel, especially on the nose (trust me, I know) so don’t overdo it; your skin will hate you.

Another form of mechanical exfoliation comes from cleansing brushes. I highly recommend using a silicone-bristled pulsing cleansing brush to keep pores clean (I personally find silicone brushes much more gentle than the cleansing brushes with bristles).

I use the FOREO LUNA mini 3 cleansing brush at night and found that it helped remove blackheads and made my skin smoother within a couple weeks of use! 

If you plan to use a cleansing brush, DO NOT use it with an exfoliating scrub. Simply apply a blob of a gentle foaming cleanser, add water and go!

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Shop mechanical exfoliants/scrubs!

 

4. Weekly Clay or Charcoal Mask To Remove Blackheads Naturally

I use a clay mask once a week to de-gunkify my skin and prevent blackheads. Clay masks are great for soaking up dirt and oil that collect in pores; the clay acts like an oil magnet to suck every last drop of oil out.

Tip: I like to leave a warm, damp face cloth on top of my face for 30 seconds before applying any clay or pore-clearing mask to prep my skin and allow the mask to penetrate a bit deeper.

Most clay masks start out wet and gradually dry within a few minutes. While clay masks are effective at removing oil from pores, this also makes them a bit drying on the skin. I usually remove these masks once they start to dry out to reduce the tight feeling they can leave behind and avoid too much oil being removed.

I also only apply the mask to the oily parts of my face (t-zone). I’m currently loving the effective (and affordable) Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay mask. This bentonite clay mask is super-hyped from beauty bloggers and vloggers alike due to its deep-cleaning ability. The clay can be mixed with water or apple cider vinegar for intense, pulsing, pore-cleaning action.

The Formula 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure mask and the Formula 10.0.6 Draw It All Out peeling mask are two pore cleaning favorites of mine that are less drying on the skin and the Rebirth Activated Charcoal Mask is full of amazing ingredients to deep clean and nourish skin too.

The Ordinary also has a salicylic acid 2% mask that I’m dying to try out!

Shop clay masks!

 

 5. Gentle Manual Extraction To Remove Blackheads

You may want to consider getting your blackheads professionally extracted by a well-trained esthetician. Extraction is a great temporary relief from blackheads/filaments since it allows the sebum to be manually removed from the pore.

Once removed, you can more easily deep-clean the pores with the AHAs/BHAs recommended above.

Make sure you find an esthetician that is experienced in extraction; you don’t want untrained hands on your skin to make matters worse!

Extraction is not a cure for blackheads/filaments, as the pores will usually refill themselves after extraction. However, it is a nice treat when you can look at your blackhead-free nose right after. If you plan to self-extract to get rid of blackheads naturally (which is not recommended, but most people can’t resist, me included) make sure you do it properly to avoid peeling, scarring or infection.

Skin and hands should be well cleansed. Apply a warm face cloth to the area to soften the skin first. Apply gentle pressure to the area you want to extract and don’t use your nails – they can tear your skin, increase the risk of infection and/or leave a scar!

If you can, find a blackhead extracting tool (pictured above). These are great for getting at blackheads in those hard to reach areas (like the spot on the outside of your nostril).

Again, if you’re going to use a blackhead extractor, apply gentle pressure to avoid tearing the skin. If the gunk you are targeting doesn’t come out with gentle pressure – DROP THE EXTRACTOR AND STEP AWAY. You can find a variety of videos on extraction using this tool on YouTube. Warning, they are super gross!

 

6. Oil Cleansing To Remove Blackheads

Oil cleansers can actually be quite effective in helping to remove blackheads. Here’s how:   

• “Like Dissolves Like” Principle: Blackheads are essentially clogged pores filled with a mixture of oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and debris. Oil cleansers work on the principle of “like dissolves like.” Meaning, the oil in the cleanser can help dissolve the excess oil that’s contributing to the clog.

• Gentle Exfoliation Power: Many oil cleansers contain emollients that can gently help to loosen and lift away dead skin cells that are contributing to the blockage of pores.

• Deep Cleansing Action: When used properly, oil cleansers remove makeup, sunscreen, and other impurities that can contribute to clogged pores and the formation of blackheads. I often follow the double cleaning method in the evening (oil cleanse first, foaming cleanser second) to ensure all my makeup and SPF are fully removed to ensure nothing is left behind to clog my pores and interfere with my skin care products.

To properly remove blackheads with cleansing oil:

• Apply to Dry Skin: Apply the oil cleanser to dry skin.
• Massage Gently: Gently massage the oil into your skin for a minute or two.
• Emulsify: Add a little water to your hands and continue massaging. This will help to emulsify the oil and create a milky texture.
• Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your face with warm water.
• Follow Up: After using an oil cleanser, it’s important to follow up with a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining residue.

  You can read more on the oil cleansing method and browse some amazing oil cleansers on the blog! Choose oil cleansers that are non-comedogenic and formulated for cleansing skin.

 

7. Use Lightweight Moisturizers Suited To Oily Skin

When it comes to preventing blackheads, choosing the right moisturizer is important. 

Some things to remember when choosing a blackhead-friendly moisturizer are:

• Non-Comedogenic: Look for products labeled “non-comedogenic” which means they are less likely to clog pores.
• Lightweight: Heavy, greasy moisturizers can trap oil and debris, leading to clogged pores and more blackheads.
• Hydrating but Not Oily: You need a moisturizer that provides adequate hydration without leaving an oily residue. Gel moisturizers are my favorite for moisturizing without being greasy.
• Consider Your Skin Type:
  • Oily Skin: Look for oil-free, water-based, or gel moisturizers.
  • Dry Skin: You might need a slightly richer formula, but still prioritize non-comedogenic options.

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8. Try A Hypochlorous Acid Spray For Preventing Blackheads 

I have a full post on the benefits of hypochlorous acid spray for keeping skin clean and clear. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) sprays have become all the rage in skin care circles due to their list of skin care benefits, including blackheads. Here’s how they might help: 

• Antimicrobial Action: It effectively kills bacteria that contribute to acne breakouts, including those that thrive within clogged pores. By reducing the bacterial load, it can help prevent the formation of blackheads. 
• Gentle Exfoliation: Some HOCl sprays may contain mild exfoliating agents that can help remove dead skin cells that contribute to clogged pores.

Natural Home Remedies To Remove Blackheads You Should AVOID!

Many blogs boast natural at home remedies to fight blackheads, but many of these do more harm than good and can damage your natural skin barrier or affect your skin’s pH levels. Home blackhead remedies like using baking soda, lemon juice, toothpaste, sugar or oatmeal scrubs or egg white masks.

Yes, the treatments include natural products, but that doesn’t mean they are meant to be applied and used as skin care. Washing your face properly, using exfoliating BHA products, retinol and lightweight moisturizers will better contribute to clear, healthy skin.

 

Lifestyle tips to get rid of blackheads naturally at home:

• Wash your face twice a day, especially on days when you step out and be sure to double cleanse to remove makeup/SPF at the end of the day.
• Use clean laundry. Change your pillowcase  and towels at least weekly to get rid of blackheads on your cheeks.
• DO NOT touch your face often. Bacteria on your hands can add oil and bacteria to your face and contribute to blemishes and blackheads.
• Disinfect your phone. Your phone picks up oils and bacteria every time you touch it. Use a gentle cleaner every few days to clean it and avoid blackheads forming on your cheeks.
• Gentle facial steam. Facial steaming can help loosen blackheads before extraction, but don’t over steam your face or do it too often as this can lead to redness and irritation! Placing a warm wash cloth on the areas with blackheads also works.

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Hopefully this article helped you understand how to get rid of blackheads naturally at home!

What are your favorite products for removing and preventing blackheads? 

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