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This week let\u2019s talk how to get rid of blackheads, since it appears that many of you battle them:<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the best natural way to unclog pores? The older I get the larger my pores get, and I need a good, gentle way to unclog them.<\/em><\/p>\n
Is there any product that can help ward off these blackheads or get rid of em all together? What can I do to eliminate these nasty critters for good???<\/em><\/p>\n
Whats the best way to remove blackheads? They\u2019re giving me a real hard time!<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Blackheads, or comedones, turn up when the oil and debris in our pores oxidizes, turning dark.\u00a0 While cleansing with a gentle cleanser that doesn\u2019t clog the pores is key in keeping them at bay, there are a few other tricks that will help rid you of these unsightly dots.<\/p>\n
1.<\/strong>\u00a0 Are you using the right cleanser?\u00a0<\/strong> Most of us take a bit more care in choosing our moisturizer than our cleanser.\u00a0 After all it just has to clean the skin, right?\u00a0 There is actually a little more to it than that.\u00a0 If you are using a cleanser that is too harsh or drying for your skin type it will strip away essential moisture, causing the skin to produce extra sebum.\u00a0 If your cleanser is to rich or heavy for your skin type it will clog the pores.\u00a0 And it is perfectly appropriate to use both types.\u00a0 I have normal to dry skin and use a gentle gel cleanser after my workout, and a creamy cleanser at night.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be afraid to switch things up and experiment here to see what works for you.<\/p>\n
2.<\/strong>\u00a0 Pay attention to your ingredients.\u00a0<\/strong> Certain ingredients can cause clogged pores in one person and actually help to clear someone else\u2019s skin.\u00a0 For example, Argan oil is a highly effective moisturizing ingredient for many who have acne\/oily skin, but on sensitive or dry skin it can be too heavy.\u00a0 Look at the labels of products you use and identify the ones that seem to increase blackheads, or give you a dull, waxy complexion.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 Exfoliation should be a regular part of your routine.\u00a0<\/strong> Many leave this step out, or only do it occasionally.\u00a0 But exfoliating should be done once or twice weekly.\u00a0 Exfoliating leaves skin fresh, clear, and glowing.\u00a0 But over-doing-it will leave you red and irritated, and sap the skin of essential moisture.\u00a0 And there are several ways to do this.\u00a0 I, personally, love my skin right after it has been exfoliated.\u00a0 I like to use a simple sugar and milk combo, but recently discovered Hollybeth\u2019s Grits & Honey scrub,<\/a> which is divine.\u00a0 I also like Skin Apotheke Advanced Treatment Regenerating Plant Sap Elixir<\/a>.\u00a0 In a pinch and need a good exfoliating?\u00a0 Simply massage skin gently with a soft, wet washcloth.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0 Certain masks are good at pulling debris from the pores.\u00a0<\/strong> Skin Apotheke Organic Fabulous Face Vitalizing Mask <\/a>works with an exfoliator and a mud-type mask.\u00a0 A real bang for your buck.\u00a0 Pangea also makes a really terrific face mask in Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry<\/a> .<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0 Be sure skin is not lacking in moisture.<\/strong>\u00a0 Since it is oil that causes blackheads, drying out the skin is often the first sought tactic in eliminating them.\u00a0 This is actually counterproductive, as the skin will just go into over-drive on oil production to make up for what it\u2019s lost.\u00a0 If you have oily skin, opt for a lighter moisturizer.\u00a0 Again, keep a lookout for key ingredients on product labels that always seem to leave your skin looking extra spotty or lifeless.\u00a0 These are usually one of the first few ingredients in the product and most often a type of oil.<\/p>\n
6.\u00a0Buff it out with a Clarisonic.\u00a0<\/strong> Because my skin is on the sensitive side and does not usually breakout, I had never even considered using a Clarisonic.\u00a0 I thought it would be way to harsh and leave me all red and burned looking.\u00a0 Well, my friend Terri Bly reviewed it here on FGS <\/a>a month or so ago and she made it sound sooooo great that I went out and bought one.\u00a0 I actually bought the Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System <\/a>because it was much cheaper and thought I probably wouldn\u2019t use it much anyway.\u00a0 Nonetheless, I felt it my duty as a beauty writer to check it out.\u00a0 And I love it!\u00a0 It is gentle (I use it maybe twice a week) and really seems to reduce the number of clogged pores on my nose and chin.\u00a0 Really!\u00a0 I now highly recommend one of these.<\/p>\n
7.\u00a0Don\u2019t be afraid to cover them up.\u00a0<\/strong> While the above tips go along way toward reducing the appearance of blackheads, they are stubborn.\u00a0 A light layer of facial powder goes along way toward covering them up.<\/p>\n
So, there you have it.\u00a0 If you give any of these a try, please leave a comment and let us know how they worked for you.<\/p>\n
Image Credit: luisillusion at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"