I chose to write an extra post this week because a friend of mine suggested I talk about blackhead removal, and I agree! Many of us have problems with noticeable blackheads and are quite unsure what to do about it. I chose a few products that have helped me tremendously and that I feel will be the most effective way to treat this common issue.
Firstly, you need to invest in a cleansing brush. The most common tool that is known for its magical powers is the Clarisonic.
Personally, I own a Mia 2. This is a very common choice when purchasing a Clarisonic because it's simple and effective. Now, before I get into what it does and how it benefits you, let's talk cost. I know some of you are probably reading this and thinking to yourself, I just won't spend $180 for this. Believe me, I get it. You should know there are other options. Olay makes a similar cleansing system for somewhere around $40. It will still do the trick without breaking the bank. Now let's continue. Firstly, a cleansing brush will clean your face 6 times better than manual cleansing. It will give you a deeper, more effective cleanse and certainly help to eliminate blackheads. With the Clarisonic, there are also a number of different brush heads you can purchase. Note* you must change a brush head roughly once every 3 months. That being said, there is a brush head you can purchase specifically for a 'deep pore cleanse.' Moving right along - You should know that when using a cleansing brush you are to NEVER use it with an exfoliator. This will be much too harsh and could actually do more damage than good. You will want to use the Clarisonic with a foaming cleanser. Check out my top pick below.
Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Tamarind
Someone who suffers from large pores or blackheads is usually a person who has more of a combination to oily skin type. The reason I like this cleanser so much is because it's purifying yet gentle. This time of year the last thing we want to do is further dry out our skin. All you need is about the size of a nickel in the palm of your hand; when mixed with water it foams up into a wonderful, velvety cream! This makes a perfect pair with any cleansing brush because it will purify your pores without stripping your skin. Now that I've talked about cleansing, I want to mention that even though you are not to use a scrub with a cleansing brush, using one in general is still important. My top choice would be... (See below)
Korres Pomegranate Deep Cleansing Scrub
As I have mentioned before, I love Korres products. They are natural and even suitable for vegans! Listen up - When choosing an exfoliator, this is one thing that you do not want to cheap out on. I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Many lower priced scrubs (cough cough... St. Ives) contain sand and/or crushed up pieces of rock. You may not see them, but they can actually scratch and damage the surface of your skin. This Korres product actually uses olive seeds as the granule in the formula. Therefore these spherical seeds will glide perfectly over the surface of your skin. Also, rich in tannins, pomegranate extract helps to tone the skin. Using this scrub one to two times a week will help improve the texture of the skin, while ridding pores of dirt and blackheads. Next, you will want to use a mask. My first choice would be the following... (See below)
Origins Active Charcoal Mask
This baby will be sure to draw out deep-dwelling pore-cloggers! Activated charcoal acts like a magnet when drawing out dirt, bacteria and blackheads. This product is only to be used once a week and ONLY on areas that have visible pores such as the nose, chin and forehead. Like Korres, Origins is a company that promotes natural products; therefore this product is suitable for sensitive skin. Simply apply until dry, then rinse off. If you're thinking that you want a treatment that is perhaps more powerful, try... (See below)
Boscia Peel-off Black Mask
I got to try this product recently and was very impressed. This is a mask that you apply and leave on for a whopping 30 minutes, then PEEL off. Since I only have blackheads on my nose and chin, I only applied it in said areas. I truly didn't believe the mask would peel off in one piece, but it did! You must apply a rather thick layer, however it really does pull out blackheads and dirt from beneath the surface of your skin. You can almost see the filth that comes out of your face when you peel off this product (nasty, but somehow satisfying...) Your skin will be left feeling silky-smooth just like a baby's ass. Promise.
Don't forget to moisturize! As I said before, the last thing we want to do is dry out our skin. Whenever you cleanse, scrub or use a mask you ALWAYS want to follow with a moisturizer. One that I always choose is: (See below)
Korres Pomegranate Cream-Gel
This moisturizer is hydrating yet lightweight. It will help balance any combination to oily skin and also help prevent breakouts. This cream-gel also contains pore-minimizing properties and will leave your skin feeling fresh and matte. Hyaluronic and salicylic acids combine to offer an immediate moisture boost while conditioning skin for an overall smooth appearance.
Ladies and Gents, say goodbye to blackheads... for good.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned.
dear lady