Common and annoying, blackheads occur when your pores become clogged with excess sebum (an oil created by the sebaceous glands that keeps skin supple) and dead skin cells. Scrubbing your face obsessively is not a good way to get rid of your blackheads, and is only going to make it worse as you’ll just end up drying out your skin, which will cause more oil to be created to make up for everything you stripped away, and then it’s a vicious cycle!
Essential oils not only have astringent properties but they also help balance sebum production over time and reduces blackheads to a considerable extent! Here is a list of the top essential oils for blackheads:
CITRUS ESSENTIAL OILS
Citrus essential oils, such as Bergamot and Lemon can be used for their astringent properties, but caution is in order, because most citrus oils are photo-sensitizing. If you must use a citrus oil, and you don’t want to trade in your blackheads for strange marks, perhaps the bergaptene-free Bergamot essential oil is a good choice. The substance causing the sensitizing has been synthetically removed from this oil.
LEMONGRASS ESSENTIAL OIL
Lemongrass is an overall tonic and very good for many kinds of infections. Lemongrass essential oil is a powerful antiseptic and anti-fungal. Especially the antiseptic properties may do good to oily skin with acne and works great for blackheads.
Here is an easy way to use this oil for blackheads: Try adding 20 to 25 drops lemongrass or lemongrass plus additional blackhead-fighting essential herbs, for every ounce of your favourite skin cream or to a homemade carrier oil blend.
TEA TREE OIL
Tea tree oil is an antiseptic that stops infections and does a great job in preventing blackheads.
Here is an easy way to use tea tree oil for blackheads: You could add 2-3 drops of this oil in 1 teaspoon baking soda and use it as a scrub for your blackhead prone area. Not more than that. However, be careful and try not to let it get into your eyes.
LAVENDER OIL
Lavender oil has skin cleansing properties that keep it free from dirt and hence prevents clogging pores.
Here’s how to use this oil for blackheads: Either dab directly onto the affected area, or apply 1 to 4 drops to a tsp. of sweet almond or olive oil and gently rub the oil on the parts of your face or torso afflicted with blackheads.
EUCALYPTUS OIL
Like tea tree oil, eucalyptus essential oil makes a strong enemy against bacteria, including the kind that lead to blackheads. This oil keeps skin from excess sebum and prevents blackheads.
Here’s how to use this oil for blackheads: Add eucalyptus essential oil to your preferred cleansing or moisturizing cream. You could also make a blend of facial scrub containing oatmeal, white clay, raw almonds and equal parts lavender and eucalyptus essential oils.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
- You could have a facial steam with any of the oils mentioned above for additional effects. Just add few drops to steaming hot water and use it to steam your face.
- Another old natural remedy to tighten pores and get rid of blackheads is egg white. I’ve tried using egg white as a facial mask.
- You could apply lemon juice to tighten pores. Saturate a cotton ball with lemon juice and apply it on blackhead prone area. Let it sit for 15 minutes and wash off with cold water. Repeat this 2-3 times in a week.
** Warning **:
- Use pure essential oil and always dilute it before using.
- Do a patch test before trying any essential oil to check for allergic reaction.