Banish Blackheads For Good

Blackheads do not just affect teenagers... We have all had moments when we have wanted to squeeze the hell out of these pesky dots! So how to rid of blackheads at home and prevent and zap these unwelcome visitors? Are salicylic acid products the answer you have been looking for? Just follow our blackhead guide.

What causes blackheads?

Blackheads (or open comedones) crop up when sebaceous glands in our pores produce too much sebum. As the sebum comes into contact with the air, it oxidizes and turns black (bit like rotting food!). And produces what we call a 'blackhead'. Blackheads often appear on the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and can leave our complexion looking dull and dirty. So how do you get rid of blackheads and enjoy smooth and glowing skin?

Blackheads are often associated with oily or combination skin, which tend to produce too much sebum and suffer from open pores - teenagers often get the worst deal. That said all skin types can be affected, for example when our hormones go haywire (pregnancy, menopause) meaning comedones are formed. Dry skin also gets its share: dehydrated skin makes up for its lack of water by producing lots of sebum that in turn causes blackheads.

How to get rid of blackheads?

Even if our skin type makes us prone to blackheads, there are plenty of other reasons why these bothersome blemishes appear. Our skin defends and protects itself from the elements by producing sebum, so it is also a question of changing our habits and beauty routines.

1. Cleanse thoroughly

The first preemptive strike to get rid of blackheads involves daily cleansing with a gentle cleanser or micellar water. Avoid abrasive cleansers like the plague – they will only kick start sebum production. If you do not religiously cleanse, bacteria will multiply and increase the likelihood of blackheads forming. Try the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Crystal Purifying Micellar Water, which is designed for deeply cleansing pores, gently for crystal clear skin! It removes the smallest impurities, effects of pollution, excess sebum, oil and make-up – and suits all skin types!

2. Use a mild yet effective face scrub

Once a week, get rid of dead skin cells with a facial steam followed by a gentle scrub and carbon-based face mask. Alternatively, you can also use chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid for blackheads to refine your skin’s texture from within. You probably already know the power of salicylic acid for skin concerns and you can use salicylic acid for clogged pores as well.

But what is salicylic acid exactly? Salicylic acid is beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that mildly exfoliates your pores and gets rid of all the dirt and gunk from deep within your skin. The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro Essence penetrates up to 10 skin layers deep* to refine your pores and skin texture and give you bright and clear skin that looks youthful, and Centella Asiatica helps keep your skin hydrated. The salicylic acid essence also accelerates skin renewal and is safe for everyday use.

How to use salicylic acid on your face?

a. Pour 3-4 drops of Crystal Micro Essence in your palms
b. Rub your palms together gently to evenly spread the product
c. Pat the salicylic acid essence on to your face till completely absorbed
d. Use the essence with salicylic acid twice a day to get bright and crystal-clear skin

3. Banish blackheads with a treatment suited to your skin type

Depending on your skin type, go for moisturising, purfiying, mattifying, non-comedogenic products that will close your pores. Look for salicylic acid for oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin and more to address your skin’s unique needs.

4. Watch what you eat

Avoid booze and greasy food, two blackhead-causing culprits, and eat a diet rich in zinc - cocoa, eggs, dry pulses, dairy products.

5. Shield your skin from the sun

Avoid staying out in the sun, as this causes the upper layer of our skin to thicken, leading to pockets of sebum that cause blackheads to appear as our skin subsequently returns its normal state. When outdoors, always use a sunscreen or a day cream with SPF to protect your skin from the damaging UVA and UVB rays.

6. Keep your skin hydrated

A great way to enhance the benefits of salicylic acid is using a hydrating sheet mask that nourishes your skin and improves your skin’s texture right after using Crystal Micro Essence. The brightening actives in the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro Essence Sheet Mask help get rid of dead skin cells and minimize pores, revealing smoother and clearer skin in just 15 minutes. With one bottle worth of facial essence, it holds upto 30X more essence as compared to other masks**. Use the sheet mask three times a week to maximize the benefits and get smooth, radiant, and glowing skin.

Another great way to keep your skin hydrated is by incorporating hyaluronic acid in your daily skincare routine! Try the L’Oréal Paris 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum that boosts your skin’s radiance by 42%*** and gives ultimate hydration! The hyaluronic acid serum is fragrance free & paraben free and suitable for all skin types.

7. Hands off

And yes, avoid the temptation to pick and squeeze them. You will only embed any bacteria and end up with spots!

Now that you know the uses of salicylic acid for the skin how to get rid of blackheads naturally, address other skin concerns and learn how to get rid of oily skin naturally.

*Within epidermis in the stratum corneum layer
**30X more absorbing capacity as compared to dry tissue weight
***Basis Instrumental Test