Left: Sheetal Rawal, scientist (human genetics) & founder of Apsara Skin Care
By: Marty S.
Home remedies by Sheetal Rawal
If you have acne-prone skin, you might be tempted to fuss over and closely examine your skin. While whiteheads are easily distinguished by their appearance, if you look too close, you may see a slew of blackheads forming on your skin. However, as enticing as it might be, don’t pluck those blackheads and whiteheads! It will only be a temporary solution, and it could cause even more problems for your skin.
Although they look different, blackheads and whiteheads are both caused by clogged pores, and your pores can become clogged because of an influx of dead skin cells, excess oil, and bacteria. If a clogged pore is open and exposed to air, it will become oxidized, which results in a blackhead. Conversely, if a clogged pore is closed and it is covered by your skin, a whitehead will form. Neither one is a good look for your skin, but luckily, both can be easily eliminated with the same kind of remedies. Whether you have blackheads, whiteheads, or both, these home remedies are a must for you. They can help you get clearer skin without ruining its look and texture.
1. Jojoba Oil to Nourish Acne-Prone Skin
For many people who have experienced acne, jojoba oil has become a go-to tool to diminish acne spots, eliminate blackheads and whiteheads, and get clearer skin. This is
because jojoba oil is very similar to sebum, one of our body’s natural oils. Your skin uses sebum to nourish itself, but factors such as dryness and harsh chemicals may cause your skin to produce too much oil, which can clog your pores and leave you with greasy skin, blackheads, and whiteheads. However, if you use jojoba oil to nourish your skin instead, your skin will think it has produced enough oil and stop. This, in turn, helps to reduce oiliness of skin and the occurrence of blackheads and whiteheads. Plus, jojoba oil is antibacterial and noncomedogenic, so it can clean your pores of acne-causing bacteria without clogging them. These reasons are why our very own Jojoba Facial Serum is suitable for acne-prone skin.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. of jojoba oil
8 drops of Vitamin E oil
Instructions
Mix the ingredients together.
Apply and massage this remedy onto your skin for 3 to 5 minutes.
Wash it off with warm water. Follow with toner, serum, and lotion.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
"I found Apsara through a friend, and my results have been absolutely amazing...My skin is really smooth and the scarring has kept fading and fading."
2. Baking Soda to Exfoliate Your Skin and Remove Blackheads & Whiteheads
Baking soda is another great natural ingredient to banish blackheads and whiteheads from your skin because it is an exfoliant. In addition to removing dead cells from the surface of your skin, baking soda can help you unclog your pores and tame oily skin. This will result in skin that is not only youthful but also free of acne. Plus, baking soda has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties; since acne is a product of inflammation, using baking soda can calm your skin down and reduce acne spots. However, baking soda is not suitable for everyone, as it may cause excessive dryness or irritation. Therefore, regardless of whether you want to use it by itself or in a home remedy, you should perform a patch test on your skin before using baking soda on your face.
Ingredients
⅛ tsp. of baking soda
⅛ tsp. of turmeric powder
1 tbsp. of wheat flour
Water, as needed
Instructions
Mix the baking soda, turmeric, and wheat flour together. Add enough water to the mixture until you get a paste.
Apply the paste and leave it on for 12 to 15 minutes.
Wash the paste off with warm water. Follow with a daily skin care routine based on your skin type. Click here to find out what your skin type is.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
3. Witch Hazel for Clear, Firm Skin
By itself, witch hazel is mainly used as a natural, alcohol-free toner to freshen up the skin and keep it firm. However, it can also be used to eliminate any blackheads or whiteheads you may have. Witch hazel has astringent properties; it contains compounds called tannins that help reduce excess oiliness and close open pores. When your skin is less oily, the chance of developing blackheads and whiteheads is decreased. (On a side note, smaller pores is a benefit to anyone who wants firm, youthful skin.) Besides that, witch hazel has antibacterial properties, which means that your blackheads and whiteheads no longer stand a chance!
Ingredients
10 drops of castor oil
1 tbsp. of bentonite clay
Witch hazel, as needed
Instructions
Mix the castor oil and bentonite clay together. Add enough witch hazel to the mixture until you get a thick paste.
Apply and leave the paste on for 12 to 15 minutes.
Wash the paste off with warm water. Then use your daily skin care routine.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
If you have blackheads and combination/oily skin, this home remedy is for you! Learn how to make a face mask using tamarind and gram flour. Enjoy and please subscribe to my YouTube channel!
4. Tomato to Promote Youthful, Acne-Free Skin
When it comes to blackheads and whiteheads, many people swear by tomatoes as their method to get clearer skin. While rubbing a tomato on your skin seems a little silly, it
may be able to eliminate blackheads and whiteheads from your skin because of its antibacterial activity and acidic nature. Besides acne, you can also use tomatoes to reduce inflammation and get glowing, youthful skin. Tomatoes are nutrient-rich and contain vitamins and nutrients like lycopene, which is an antioxidant. Lycopene is a very special compound because it is a carotenoid that helps boost the production of collagen and reduce free radical damage.
Ingredients
1 tsp. of fresh tomato juice
⅛ tsp. of baking soda
12 drops of castor oil
1 tbsp. of ripe banana paste
Instructions
Mix the ingredients together. Make sure that the remedy is the consistency of ketchup.
Apply this remedy and massage your skin for 3 to 5 minutes. Leave it on for 8 to 10 minutes.
Wash it off with water. After, use your toner, serum, and lotion.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
5. Fuller’s Earth for a Blackhead & Whitehead-Busting Mask
If you are interested in a blackhead or whitehead-busting face mask, we would like to suggest to you fuller’s earth. Fuller’s earth [Multani mitti] is a clay that is great at removing impurities from your skin, for example, toxins, excess oil, and bacteria. It can unclog your pores so that blackheads, whiteheads, and acne does not have a chance to develop. Using fuller’s earth regularly can also help you reduce the look of blemishes as well as keep your skin healthy, which is why this natural ingredient should not be missed. In fact, we use fuller’s earth to make our Sulfur Facial Mask, which is perfect for you if you have acne, blackheads, or whiteheads.
Ingredients
1 tsp. of fuller’s earth
⅛ tsp. of nutmeg powder
⅛ tsp. of turmeric powder
Rosewater, as needed
Instructions
Mix the fuller’s earth, nutmeg, and turmeric together. Add enough rosewater to the mixture until you get a paste.
Apply the mask and leave it on for 12 to 15 minutes.
Wash the mask off with warm water. Use your daily skin care routine afterward.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
If you need more advice for acne-prone skin or other skin types, fill out the form
Go natural. It is good karma!
