Want to know how to remove blackheads from your nose? You’ve come to the right place. Blackheads are a pesky part of life and for most people, they’re unsightly, difficult to get rid of, and downright painful.
Luckily, in this blog post, we’re going to walk through a range of easy at-home techniques for removing blackheads from your nose, and prevent breakouts from happening. Read on to get the know-how.
What Are Blackheads
Blackheads medically known as open comedones are clogged pores usually found on the nose, chin, face, and neck.
“They are formed when sebum (skin oils) and dead skin cells mix and become trapped in the skin’s pores,” explains Shari Lipner, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist. The oily mixture on top of the open pore gets oxidized by air and darkens in color.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), blackheads can result from several factors such as excess sebum production, dead skin cells, and bacteria on the surface of the skin that break down oils and cause inflammation.
How to Remove Blackheads From Nose
No one likes blackheads. They’re unattractive and if you have a lot, they can clog your pores and cause breakouts.
There are many ways to remove blackheads from your nose. And, below is a list of some of those ways, including using a pore vacuum, salicylic acid, or just pulling them out with a pore strip.
1. Wash With a Salicylic Acid Cleanser
To get rid of blackheads, start by washing your face with a salicylic acid-based cleanser to remove excess dirt, oils, and bacteria that build upon your skin.
This acid will exfoliate your pores and dissolve blackheads before they fully develop, hence leaving you with clearer, more radiant skin.
Here are some steps on how to use it:
- Wet your face with warm water.
- Apply the salicylic acid cleanser evenly over your entire face.
- Massage the cleanser into your skin for 30 seconds before rinsing off.
- Pat dry your skin with a towel.
- Finish by applying moisturizing lotion.
2. Exfoliate With a Face Scrub
Routine exfoliation with a face scrub is a great way to remove dead skin cells and debris, which can cause blackheads or breakouts. In addition, exfoliating allows your skin to produce new cells for a fresh start. This gives your skin a lighter texture with fewer dark spots and an even complexion.
Here are some steps to follow when exfoliating your skin:
- First, wash your face with a cleanser
- Next, Squeeze a little amount of face scrub on your palm.
- Massage the scrub on your face in gentle circular motions.
- Rinse off your face with warm water.
SEE: These Are the Best Blackheads Removal Methods for You
3. Use a Face Toner
You’re probably wondering what a face toner is. Well, for starters, a face toner is a topical product that contains active ingredients such as witch hazel or aloe vera that help to close down pores and remove blackheads.
“Toners are water-based, and usually have a pH of 5.5 to 6.5, which helps balance the pH levels on your skin by restoring its natural acidity” explains Dr. Joshua Zeichner, an Associate Professor of Dermatology in New York City.
This can help minimize blackheads, acne breakouts, and excessive oil production. For blackhead-free skin, it is important to use a toner at least twice daily: once in the morning and once at night after cleansing to remove impurities, and restore your skin’s natural pH.
4. Go for Water-based Moisturizers
Different moisturizers have different formulations, and therefore, will have a different effect on blackheads. Oil-based moisturizers seal the skin to prevent water from escaping, while water-based moisturizers work by providing hydration for the skin without clogging pores.
The type of moisturizer you choose will play a role in how it affects blackheads because if an oil-based is blocking your pores, then it can’t release oil that clogs pores. However, water-based moisturizers don’t block pores and can help push out oil and other substances that cause blackheads on your nose.
5. Try a Charcoal Mask
A charcoal mask is a type of facial mask that uses activated charcoal to draw out impurities, dirt, and bacteria from pores on the skin. Consequently, this helps to deep clean your pores, remove blackheads, and prevent acne.
Charcoal masks are common, affordable, and easy to use. They are also one of the most effective masks for people with oily and acne-prone skin.
Follow these steps to make your own charcoal mask at home:
- Use a measuring spoon provided to measure out 1 teaspoon of charcoal powder into a bowl.
- Add your favorite liquid, such as apple cider vinegar or water, to the bowl and stir together.
- Pour the mixture onto a mask’s backing sheet and evenly spread it on with your fingers or a brush.
- Place the mask onto your face, avoiding your eye area.
- Allow it to sit for 15 minutes before removing.
- Rinse off any excess with cool water and pat dry with a towel.
- Follow up with a moisturizer.
6. Remove Blackheads with Pore Strips
Pore strips are a quick and easy way to remove blackheads from your nose. They are made of two sheets of adhesive material with a backing that peels off to expose the sticky side.
Pore strips are easy to use, but before using them, you should read the instructions on the back for what type of pore strip you’re using. You can also follow these steps when using pore strips:
- First, clean your face with a gentle cleanser and then dry off your skin.
- Next, peel the plastic backing off the pore strip and stick it onto your nose so the strip covers all the blackheads.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes before removing it and throwing away.
- Rinse off any residue with warm water and dry off your face with a clean towel.
SEE: How to Get Rid Of The White Stuff In Your Pores
7. Try Steaming
Steaming your face helps to open up pores, break down any blackheads on your nose, and remove dead skin cells, oil. It can also help to reduce wrinkles by hydrating the skin. To steam your face, you can use a facial steamer or go the traditional way of steaming with boiling water.
Here’s how to steam your face traditionally:
- Start by adding water to a pot or kettle and bring it to a boiling point.
- Place a towel over your head and lean over the pot or kettle so the steam hits your face.
- Next, hold this position for 3-5 minutes.
- Rinse off your face and apply a face moisturizer.
8. Use Retinoids
Retinoids, substances derived from vitamin A, are a class of medications that have been used for decades to improve the appearance of many skin conditions, including blackheads, acne, and psoriasis.
Skincare products with retinoids remove blackheads by helping to unclog pores with the natural oil and debris in the skin. They also provide anti-aging benefits by stimulating collagen production and exfoliating skin.
You can get a retinoid cream, serum, and even moisturizer over the counter in many beauty supply stores. For best results, use these before bed every night.
SEE: How to Stop Oily Skin: 13 Simple Steps to Make Your Skin Less Slippery
9. Homemade Lemon and Honey Mask
Is there anything lemon and honey can’t do? Well, I don’t think so. Lemon has astringent and antibacterial properties that can help fight acne and infections on the skin. In addition, honey is alkaline with a pH of 6-6.5, which helps to balance out the acidity in the skin.
These two ingredients come together to brighten dull skin, remove blackheads, and help fight acne-causing bacteria for clearer skin without any side effects.
Here’s how to make your lemon and honey mask:
- Take about half a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and mix it with 1 tablespoon of honey.
- Apply the mixture to your face, paying more attention to your nose.
- Avoid any sensitive areas like eyes, mouth, nostrils, and other mucous membranes.
- Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off finally with warm water.
10. Use a Pore Vacuum
One of the best ways to clear pores and remove blackheads from your nose is with a pore vacuum. This device uses suction to suck up all the oils and bacteria in your pores, hence keeping them from clogging up and becoming blackheads.
And if you have a lot of acne scarring, this really helps heal those scars by sucking out the chemicals that created them in the first place.
- Wash your face thoroughly with soap and water or a gentle cleanser.
- Disinfect the tip of the vacuum to clean out any germ that may be on the surface.
- Gently glide the vacuum all over your face for about 3-5 minutes.
- Glide once again, this time focusing on your nose area to remove any leftover blackheads or impurities.
- Rinse your face and pat dry with a clean towel.
- Follow up with your skincare products, such as moisturizer, oil, or serum.
11. Let a Pro Handle It
If you have deep-rooted blackheads that cannot be treated with topical medications, it is best to get a professional facial extraction.
The procedure involves using a small instrument called a comedone extractor to break open your pores and remove any impurities that are blocking your pores and causing the blackhead.
The doctor will put numbing cream on your skin and then use the extractor to break up and extract the unwanted tissue from your face. You may feel some mild discomfort during this process, but most people won’t experience pain.
How to Prevent Blackheads
Avoid Oily Foods
As with any other food, you should consume oily foods thoughtfully. The occasional deep-fried dish will not do any harm, but if oily foods make up most of what you eat, it could be the reason for the blackheads on your nose.
That is because oily foods increase oil production in the skin. As a result, these excess oils can clog your pores, causing the eruption of blackheads and breakouts in the skin.
Exercise Regularly
When you exercise, your body releases a hormone called adrenaline. This hormone causes blood vessels to dilate and increases blood flow.
The heat from this process can help to open up pores, hence making it easier for your body to release sweat, dead skin cells, and dirt that may build up to form blackheads.
Drink More Water
Drinking more water will help you get rid of the toxins and waste in your body. Water will also keep your body hydrated and reduce oil production in your skin.
It is recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy, but you should drink more if you have oily skin to stay hydrated and prevent blackheads, acne, and other skin conditions.
Tone Down on the Makeup
Makeup products contain oils that can clog your pores, hence increasing the risk of blackheads on your nose.
It might not be an easy solution for you, but reducing makeup will help control oil production in your skin and reduce the amount of makeup debris you have in your pores.
SEE: How to Remove That Pesky Acne Scar Starting With These Helpful Hacks
FAQs
Do blackheads go away naturally?
Your skin usually clears out blackheads within 2 weeks, but some blackheads can remain on your skin for weeks, months, and even more if not removed.
What happens if I don’t remove blackheads?
If you do not remove blackheads, they can become irritated and cause itching. And, if you try to scratch them, they spread to other pores, leading to lesions, inflamed tissues, and scars on your skin.
What is that stuff that comes out of blackheads?
The stuff is called pus. Pus is a combination of white blood cells, dead skin tissues, germs, and excess oil that form to clog your pores. They are often smelly and can be yellow, white, or green in color.
Conclusion
Blackheads are so pesky, especially when they’re affecting your nose. They can make your skin look dull, unattractive, and uneven.
However, blackheads can be a lot more than just a cosmetic problem. If you have chronic acne or rosacea, blackheads can make your condition worse.
Thankfully, they’re neither permanent nor painful to remove. With these treatments, you can remove blackheads from your nose and reduce your oil production without drying out your skin or resorting to harsh products.
Thanks for reading.
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