DIY Charcoal Face Mask| How To Remove Blackheads!

WHAT ARE BLACKHEADS ?

Blackheads, medically-known as open comedones, are hair follicles or pores clogged with mixture of dead skin cells and sebum.  Sebum is an oily substance naturally secreted by your skin. Blackheads occur when sebum produced by your pores is exposed to oxygen and sebum darkens during the oxidation process and creates a dark spot on the skin, hence the name ‘blackhead’. They are just as annoying because they  often show up on your face and are typically most noticeable on your nose but they can also appear on the back, chest, neck, arms, and shoulders. While blackheads might not be as inflamed as other types of acne, they can also turn into pimples if not removed.  Worst of all, it is tempting to squeeze and pop your blackheads, but do remember doing so tends to make matter worse.

Not to be mistaken to blocked pores,  blackheads are different due to the fact they do not appear due to dirt clogging the pores and there will be no bumps visible, just the blackheads. On the other hand, clogged pores, which are considered closed, generally result in an inflamed bump, also known as whiteheads. These are caused by bacteria and are found deep in the pores which can also result in infections, compared to blackheads which are found on the top layers of the skin. To get an infection with a blackhead is unusual unless pricked and squeezed. Both of these blemishes can occur with or without acne.

Even though blackheads are one of the most common skin concerns, the downside of having blackheads, apart from the appearance, is that you can never completely get rid of them and will find that if you do not care for your skin with the correct skincare products, you will have a hard time keeping those pesky blackheads away! Any skin type can have blackheads, with oily skin being the more common to find blackheads a regular problem.

WHAT CAUSES BLACKHEADS?

If you have blackheads on your face, it is not a surprise that you will be desperately trying to figure out what causes them and how you can get rid of them once and for all. Actually, blackheads, like all forms of acne, can be caused and worsened by several factors, including hormones, genetics and stress. And nobody knows exactly why skin pores become clogged. There are several factors that could play a role. Hormonal fluctuations are likely to be a key one.  When hormones fluctuate, it leads to excess sebum production which clogs pores and creates breakouts. Some life events that cause hormone fluctuations include puberty, adolescent, menstruation, pregnancy and the types of birth control pill.

Oily skin types tend to be more prone to blackheads. If you know you have an oily skin type, avoid touching your face with your hands. Avoid overly emollient or greasy moisturizers in blackhead-prone areas. Using greasy or oily skin products, such as cleansers, cosmetics or creams which may clog your pores may end up with blackheads. Try to use only gel or light fluid lotion because most of the ingredients in moisturizers and creams with their thick consistency can clog pores. Hair care products can also interact with facial skin and lead to clogged pores. You should prevent hair products from your hairline and keeping hair off your face during the day.

Excessive sweating from exercise or heat can cause pores to go hey wire. Especially for those who sweat and workout and if they tend to under-cleanse their skin after that, then residue and skin grime can back up in pores.  Contrary to popular belief, blackheads are not a result of bad hygiene, as it is the hormonal imbalance and excess oils clogging the pores that can indeed start a blackhead breakout over the face, with the majority being mainly in the T-zone area such as the forehead, nose and chin.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR BLACKHEADS: DO’S AND DON’TS

Washing your face correctly is the best first-line treatment for acne and blackheads as good skin hygiene can help to keep the pores unclogged. Make sure you remove your makeup thoroughly before cleansing your face. Use a mild soap-fee cleanser containing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) for oily skin. Cleanser with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide is good for acne-prone skin. Gently massage the cleanser in a circular motion and focus on the nose and forehead, as these areas of the face are particularly prone to sebum or oil. Rinse the cleanser with warm water and dab the face with a clean hand towel, patting the skin dry and being sure not to rub too hard.

Exfoliate regularly by using an exfoliator or face scrub will not only make your skin super soft, but you will also find that it will rid you of any dead skin cells that cleansing may have missed! Exfoliating products come in various forms in the market but DIY with Lemon essential oil will benefit your skin with its conditioning, astringent and antibacterial properties which are so suitable to remove blackheads and help maintain your skin at its most healthy level. Just mix 1 drop of lemon oil with a small amount of Jojoba oil. Then, apply to a cotton ball and gently dab on the affected area of skin, leaving it on for about 5 minutes. Wash your face with your usual cleanser and follow any other steps of your skin care routine. Exfoliators with Lemon oil are great products to help with blackheads, they not only rid your skin of the dead skin cell build-up and oils but also work at dislodging and removing the existing blackheads. Additionally, detoxify with a weekly mask such as charcoal face mask or clay mask is definitely helpful in disinfecting your skin with blackheads by drawing out dirt and grime at the same time.  Please read below on ➡️ WHICH TYPES OF CLAY CAN BE USED TO REMOVE BLACKHEADS?

Use the right products for treatment of blackheads.  Products with Salicylic Acid or Glycolic Acid are helpful for getting rid of blackheads by breaking up and clean clogged pores and helping to promote skin cell turnover. Stop using heavy, thick moisturizers in blackhead-prone areas, as they are more likely to clog pores. Instead, opt for gel type or liquid skin care products as your hydrator of choice. Avoid bar soap which can leave residue that builds up on skin and contributes to clogged pores and blackheads.

Don’t squeeze and prick as you risk damaging your skin or causing the bacteria to spread into surrounding tissue. Blackheads do not usually develop into any form of infection unless you start to prick and squeeze them! It is also not safe to perform any DIY extractions due to the fact the visible blackheads on the surface of the skin could be the sign of cysts beneath the skin, this actually needs the proper extraction tools and skills to remove it all correctly.

HOW CAN ACTIVATED CHARCOAL MASK HELP TO REMOVE BLACKHEADS AND WHITEHEADS?

Activated charcoal is an odourless black powder made from common charcoal that has been exposed to heat. Heating the charcoal to a high temperature causes little pockets or holes to form, making it highly absorbent. Thanks to the active ingredients in activated charcoal powder, charcoal face masks absorbs oil, exfoliates and cleanses pores, eliminates dirt and blackheads and ultimately leaving skin cleaner and healthier. Today activated charcoal has also become a popular ingredient in beauty and skin care products. There isn’t much research to support the use of activated charcoal for skin health, but anecdotal evidence does seem to point to its effectiveness. Over here, we have a video on DIY Blackhead Remover together with a simple recipe where you will find it superb easy to make and all the ingredients are available at Green Herbology.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THIS FACE MASK ?
💞💕💐🌼🍀💕💞



This DIY mask is gentle and will leave your skin incredibly soft
Balances your skin tone and reduces inflamed skin
Draws out bacteria, chemicals, dirt and micro-particles to the surface of skin
Helping you to achieve a clean complexion
Perform deep cleansing to skin, removing dirt and blackheads effectively.

WHAT DO YOU NEED ?

💞💕💐🌼🍀💕💞

Activated Charcoal Powder: Click to buy ⏩ https://greenherbology.com/product/activated-charcoal-powder-made-from-coconut-shell/

French Green Clay Powder: Click to buy⏩  https://greenherbology.com/product/green-clay/

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Click to buy ⏩ https://greenherbology.com/product/tea-tree-essential-oil/

Jojoba Oil: Click to buy⏩ http://greenherbology.com/product/jojoba-oil/

HOW TO MAKE ?
💞💕💐🌼🍀💕💞
Mix the 25g of Activated Charcoal and Green Clay together in a glass jar
Slowly add the Jojoba oil into the powder, just enough to make a wet paste
Mix in 3-4 drops of Tea tree essential oil
Stir until fully combined
Spray plastic jar with alcohol
Pour in all the mask into the jar. Ready to use!
💞💕💐🌼🍀💕💞

HOW TO USE ?
Apply the mask to your face, be careful to avoid the eyes as they can be irritated by the face mask
Leave the mask on your skin for 3-8 minutes or until it begins to dry
Wash your face with warm water and face cleanser

WHICH TYPES OF CLAY CAN BE USED TO REMOVE BLACKHEADS?

At Green Herbology, we are sure that with the use of natural scrubs and masks, you can get rid of blackheads naturally, without spending too much!  Detoxifying and purifying, clay can remove excess sebum and loosen blackheads making it a lot easier for them to be removed.  Activated charcoal powder is commonly used for this purpose with its ability to detoxify the skin from any elements without irritating. This powder when used as mask penetrates deeps into the pores removing any impurities and leaving the skin with an all-over healthy glow.

Koalin or White Clay is gentler on the skin than other types of clay, and can be used as an exfoliant. Because of its anti-inflammatory and anti bacterial benefits, Kaolin absorbs sebum and prevents clogging of pores by drawing out impurities and toxins from the pores. The mineral contents in this clay also removes excess oil, dirt, contaminants and bacterial from the skin without causing any redness or irritation. This clay works as cleansing agent by absorbing excess moisture and impurities and at the same time reducing blackheads and blemishes.

Because of its natural detoxifying properties, French Green Clay is perfect for naturally treating acne by going deep into the pores and removing impurities.  Using Green Clay can help purify pores and even helps to tighten the skin. You can mix it with aloe vera juice and apply it on the skin for an instant lift. French Green Clay can help soak up all the excessive oil within the skin’s surface and within the pores, leaving you with a soft, clean and fresh skin.  This clay exfoliates the skin gently, helping to get rid of dead cells, without making the skin feel excessively irritated and overly dry. Green clay is very detoxifying, hydrating and soothing and is also gentle on the skin. It can calm and soothe irritated  and inflamed skin, therefore if you are suffering from psoriasis, rashes, and eczema, making a paste out of the clay can provide relief.

Bentonite clay is known for its skin healing properties and also a safe and effective detoxifier. It is naturally anti-inflammatory and can help calm inflammatory acne and dermatitis by effectively drawing toxins from the deep skin layers and heal conditions like acne, rash and wounds. The absorptive properties helps absorb excessive sebum and dirt clogging the pores and minimize the appearance of pores.   Bentonite clay, when applied regularly via a facial mask, helps remove these toxins from deep within the skin and improve skin health. Because it is entirely natural and hypoallergenic, it is a great option for all skin types, even the sensitive skin. All you have to do is mix a few tablespoons of Bentonite with water or apple cider vinegar, let it work its magic for ten minutes, and rinse it off to reveal a smoother and cleaner face without blackheads.

WHAT ARE THE NATURAL REMEDIES TO FIGHT OILY SKIN AND BLACKHEADS?

To fight oil skin and prevent blackheads naturally there are some natural alternatives to treatments and products that are worth trying. Baking soda is a natural exfoliant and will work deep into any clogged pores and clearing them of dirt and bacteria and also helps to neutralize any pH imbalance. To use this on your blackheads, mix two tablespoons of baking soda and two tablespoons of water together to form a paste. Massage the paste onto your face, rinse off with warm water, and then be sure to moisturize afterward. This mixture could dry your skin, so do not use it more than twice a week. Clay mask as we have already mentioned how beneficial they are for skin and due to clay being a natural ingredient, full of minerals and other skin nourishing properties, it is a perfect product to use for preventing blackheads essentially.

Jojoba oil is the only oil that closely resembles our skin’s natural oils. Its antibacterial and non-comedogenic properties helps to heal the skin that are most prone to blackheads and gives relief from irritated skin. It also reduces the production of excess oil underneath the skin which causes blackheads and the best part is that it doesn’t clog pores! It is absolutely brilliant to use as a one ingredient moisturizer, cleanser and blackhead treatment. After removing any makeup, rinse your face with warm water and then massage a few drops of jojoba oil into your skin. This will stimulate circulation and will deep cleanse into the pores.  Jojoba Oil helps dissolve blackheads, whiteheads and excess sebum as it mimics the skin’s natural sebum composition and it deeply cleanses without stripping or irritating the skin.

To get rid of nasty blackheads, you can DIY an effective sugar scrub consisting of just two ingredients – sugar and Jojoba oil. This scrub helps to cut down the dead skin cell production and prevents blackheads. Just mix three tablespoons of jojoba oil with one small cup of white sugar. Stir it well until you get an evenly thick mixture.  Apply the scrub on to your skin and massage well. Rinse off the scrub with lukewarm water. For best results, you can scrub at least twice a week.

Tea tree oil is the most common essential oil for acne and blackheads given its antioxidants, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.  Since blackheads and acne are often associated with certain bacteria, the antimicrobial properties could be beneficial in this way. Tea Tree Oil kills the bacteria, which causes blackheads and it also cleanses the pores and prevents the skin from discharging excess oils. You can even use this oil as a natural facial cleanser.  Tea Tree oil is actually an incredibly effective method for cleansing pores, especially blackheads. Simply adding one drop of Tea Tree essential oil  to one tablespoon of Coconut oil, massage into the skin (avoiding the eyes), and wipe clean with a warm face cloth. Another simple method is by massaging the blackheads-prone area with Tea Tree Essential Oil and leave it for a couple of hours and then wipe your face clean with hot water towel. This will loosen and remove the blackheads easily.

Lavender Essential oil has natural antibacterial properties and is great for clearing off bacteria and preventing blackheads from turning into blemishes. It is commonly used to treat allergies, eczema, fungal infections, discoloration and clogged pores with its anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Lavender kills the bacteria that cause skin disorders and is a natural skin purifier and cleanser helping to clean the blocked pores by removing dirt and excess oil which causes blackheads. A simple yet effective method to remove blackheads with this oil is by steaming.  Take a steamer with water and add about 8 drops of Lavender Essential Oil in it and continue taking steam on your face for 10 minutes. It will loosen the blackheads and also remove the dirt and excess oil on the face.

Lemon Essential oil is enriched with nutrients like Vitamin C, anti-fungal antioxidants and antimicrobial properties. This oil also works against inflammation and microbes, which causes blackheads and it also helps in deeply cleansing the clogged pores and getting rid of dead skin cells and excess oil on the skin’s surface. Lemon also controls the over-production of sebum in the sebaceous glands of the skin which causes blackheads. The high level of antioxidants in this oil can fight against free radical damage in the skin which results in clearer skin with no blackheads.

HOW CAN BLACKHEADS AND WHITEHEADS BE PREVENTED ?

Blackheads and whiteheads are basically the same thing. They are both classified as “non-inflammatory” acne. The main difference between them is blackheads form in an open pore which gives them their black coloring and whitehead contains the same dead skin and natural oil, but because it’s been inside the closed pore and hasn’t been exposed to air, it stays as white color.

Taking care of your skin and washing it on a regular basis can help decrease the chances of developing or preventing either blackheads or whiteheads from forming. Keeping your face clean by washing it twice a day with a mild soap is the simplest method. This will prevent oil-buildup as well as pore-clogging. And always remove your makeups before going to bed. Use gentle exfoliator that will eliminate dead cells from the outermost layer of your skin without causing irritation to it. Natural ingredients are always best to use without causing any harshness. By exfoliating your skin weekly will keep pores clean, thus resulting in a clean skin and help prevent blackheads.

Avoid wearing a lot of makeup. Your makeup items should be non-comedogenic so that they do not clog your skin pores. Also, use oil-free lotions and sunscreen. Any products that contain oil can cause blackheads, so opt for non-comedogenic makeup, lotions and sunscreen.  Resist the urge to self-extracting your blackheads. Bacteria and oil on your fingers can leave your skin inflamed and open to irritation and infection, which can lead to more blackheads and clogged pores. Also excessively scrubbing your face will not get rid of blackheads since these irritants are normally deep-rooted.

Applying a mineral-rich mask consisting of clay can help draw out impurities from the skin and reduce oiliness. Clay also looses impacted clogged pores and remove the buildup of dead skin cells. Using this mask once a week may be beneficial, as long as it does not cause the skin to become irritated or sensitive. Just remember to rinse the mask off thoroughly before applying moisturizer. If you have oily skin, add Witch Hazel hydrosol to your skincare routine to minimize pores and dry up excess oil. This hydrosol should be applied after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Keep your daily skincare items clean could be a contributing factor to your blackhead breakouts which we might overlook.  Pillowcases and makeup brushes love absorbing up all that excess sebum from your skin. Regularly cleaning your makeup brushes with anti-bacterial soap and essential oil will keep the oil overdose down and brushes smelling super fresh before the next use. Keep your pillowcases and bed linen clean by changing once a fortnight.

Green Herbology offers some DIY sets specifically help you to fight impurities, blackheads and acne-prone skin professionally and effectively. These sets consist of natural ingredients with disinfecting properties that fight off bacteria and germs that causes blackheads, pimples and acne, allowing pores to be unclogged and purified, therefore keeping skin fresh and clean.