Bye Bye Blackheads! A Blackhead Prevention Routine

Whether you’re an avid makeup enthusiast (like myself) or not, due to all of the microscopic particles of dust, dirt and pollen (among other things) that are flying through the air, everyone is prone to getting blackheads.  Some may have more of a severe problem than others, but rest assured, all cases can be fixed.  What it all really comes down to is having a diligence towards keeping a strict and regular skin care routine.  I did some research and put what I learned into a few simple steps that will keep your face fresh, clean and will keep the blackheads at bay!

Bid blackheads farewell with this blackhead prevention regimen, but be sure to do this regularly for the best possible results!

• Wash, tone, and moisturize your face twice a day.  This may seem a little obvious, but believe me I can’t stress it enough, because the less you wash your face, the more dirt and grime will build up in your pores, in turn, causing more blackheads.  So it’s recommended to wash your face twice a day, once at the beginning of the day to wash away any oils or dirt that may have collected in your pores throughout the night, and again at the end of the day to clear out all of the day’s buildup from your pores.  Toning and moisturizing are important steps to keep up with after washing your face because the toner/astringent is helpful at removing any remaining dirt or oil residue that may be hiding in your pores after washing, and moisturizer is essential because after washing and toning your face your skin will need to be replenished in the moisture department.  If you skip out on the moisturizer you’ll cause your oil glands to kick into overdrive in order to restore balance once more, and in turn will result in slick oily skin before you even get a chance to get your  makeup on.
• Exfoliate nightly.  Many blackhead remedies include scrubs to invigorate the pores into releasing blackheads from the skin and I found that incorporating that into a daily face cleansing routine really helped at reducing the blackheads I was used to seeing in my T-Zone.  It’s also beneficial to exfoliate at the end of the day because it aids in the removal of dirt and oil that’s nestled its way into your pores throughout the day.  So when washing your face at night, don’t forget to exfoliate!  You can choose to use a blackhead clearing facial scrub or an apricot scrub, or you can use your normal face wash, but apply it to your face in small circular motions with a face buffering sponge (bought mine at Target in a pack of 12 for around $3).  You can also make your own face scrub at home by mixing 1/4 cup of lemon juice with 3/4 cup of granulated sugar into a thick, crumbly paste like consistency.  Use your homemade scrub to gently massage into wet skin in small circular motions, rinse with warm water and then wash face normally.
• Weekly “deep cleaning” clay mask treatments.  Once a week you should treat your face to a deep cleansing clay mask.  The clay naturally absorbs oils and impurities from the skin’s pores and surface as it dries.  This step isn’t absolutely necessary every week, but may be helpful for those who suffer from recurring blackheads more so than others.

If you’re new to having a skincare and face cleansing routine, this may seem like a lot to do, but remember that it’s worth the effort, and if all else fails at least wash your face daily, and avoid sleeping in makeup!  Always remember that keeping your pores cleaned and cleared will help out a lot in your fight against blackheads!