16 Natural Remedies To Remove Blackheads Fast

If you have recently noticed (or are fed up of) the dark spots around your forehead, nose or chin, you should definitely get relief from these home remedies for blackheads. These spots are blackheads, one of the common forms of acne. They become black in color because the oil in these minute ‘boils’ react with the air. In fact, blackheads are nothing but the oil that gets accumulated in your skin pores and gets hardened due to reaction with air. And why does this happen? When the oil-secreting glands of your skin produce excess oil, it leads the pores to get expanded and thickened where the oil gets stored and hardens gradually. Excess oil is usually produced due to hormonal changes like in teenage, during pregnancy, menstruation, menopause and of course when we eat a lot of fried foods and use low quality oil based cosmetic products!

Home Remedies to Remove Blackheads

1. Cinnamon Powder Remedy for Blackheads

The magical spice cinnamon powder can come to your rescue when you are suffering from blackheads too. There is more than one way to use this spice for removing blackheads.

Cinnamon Powder and Lemon Juice Remedy

• Add 1 tsp of lemon juice to 1 tsp of cinnamon powder and mix well.
• Apply this on your blackheads.
•  Leave for 20 minutes and then wash off.
• Do this twice or thrice a day.

Cinnamon Powder and Honey Remedy

• Add 1 tsp of honey to 1 tsp of cinnamon powder, mix well.
• Apply on blackheads at night and go to bed.
• Wash off in the morning.
• Do this daily for 8-10 days or till the time you get rid of these spots.

Cinnamon Powder, Turmeric and Lemon Juice Remedy

• Make a homemade facial cleanser by mixing 1 tsp of cinnamon powder, 1 tsp of lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric powder.
• Clean your face every day with this.
• Wash off with lukewarm water.

2. Oatmeal Remedy for Blackheads

Earlier, beauticians used to squeeze out blackheads with a little equipment similar to tongs after they gave a facial massage to a woman. This was an undesirable act to do as it was quite potent of giving permanent marks on the skin. However, the blackheads can be removed from your face using some natural scrub and rubbing the area gently with it. Coarse oatmeal seems to be the best thing to use.

Oatmeal, Honey and Tomato Juice Remedy

• Add one tsp of honey and two tablespoons of tomato juice with 2-4 tbsp of oatmeal to get a paste-like consistency.
• Use this oatmeal scrub to gently rub your face, give more efforts where you have your blackheads.
• Wash off after scrubbing for 10-15 minutes.

Oatmeal, Yogurt, Lime juice and Olive Oil Remedy

• Mix 2 tbsp oatmeal with 3 tbsp yogurt and few drops of lemon juice and olive oil.
• Mix well to get a face mask.
• Apply this on your face and leave for 10 minutes or so.
• Wash off.

Oatmeal and Rosewater Remedy

• Add rosewater to oatmeal to get a paste
• Apply on your face.
• Leave for 20 minutes before washing off.

3. Lemon Juice Remedy for Blackheads

Lemon juice is a good remedy when it comes to removing excess oil and bleaching dark skin. The same goes for blackheads because they are made up of oil and make your skin look dull. So use lemon in one or multiple ways as mentioned here.

Lemon Juice, Yogurt, Home Remedy

• Take lemon juice, salt, yogurt and honey (though there is no prescribed quantity, you may take 1 tsp each or more if you wish to).
• Mix well to get a scrub.
• Rub this gently on your face focusing on your blackheads (don’t be too harsh though). The exfoliating effect will eliminate the blackheads from your skin.

Lemon Juice and Milk/ Rosewater remedy

• Mix 1 tsp of lemon juice with 1 tbsp of milk or rosewater
• Clean your face with it daily.

Lemon Juice and Groundnut Oil Remedy

• Add 1 tsp lemon juice to 1 tsp groundnut oil
• Mix well.
• Apply this to the skin with blackheads.
• Leave for 20 minutes.
• Wash off with lukewarm water.

4. Turmeric Remedy for Blackheads

Turmeric, again a wonder spice, can be used with a variety of ingredients to remove your blackheads and then to give you clear glowing skin with tightened skin pores.

Turmeric and Coriander Remedy

• Wash a handful of coriander leaves, crush them and take out their juice. You should have 1 tsp of coriander leaves juice.
• Mix coriander juice with 1 tsp of turmeric powder to make a paste.
• Apply this to your face, preferably at night.
• Leave for half an hour.
• Now wash off with lukewarm water.
• Be careful enough while you have turmeric on your face or hands. They may give stains everywhere.

Turmeric and Mint Remedy

• Add a tsp of turmeric powder with 2 tbsp of min juice.
• Apply on a skin with blackheads.
• Leave for 20 minutes.
• Wash off with lukewarm water.

Turmeric, Sandalwood and Milk Remedy

• Take 1 tsp of red sandalwood paste. You may either get sandalwood powder and mix water to get this paste or rub a piece of sandalwood on stone with some water and collect the paste.
• Add 1 tsp of turmeric powder and 1 tsp of milk to the sandalwood paste.
• Apply this on the affected skin having blackheads.
• Leave for 10 minutes.
• Wash off first with normal water and then with lukewarm water.

[Also Read: Top 7 Remedies to Get Rid of Brown Spots on Skin]

5. Egg White Remedy for Blackheads

Eggs may smell a hell but they are a boon, not only for health but also for the oily skin. They get you rid of all the oils (and with it dirt too!) and help you get a clean and clear sparkling face.

• Separate egg white from egg yolk.
• You may or may not add a tsp of honey to the separated egg white.
• Now dip your finger (or fingers) in the egg white and gently apply this to your face.
• Let it dry.
• Once more, apply another layer of egg white and let dry.
• After it dries up, you may want to dab a little egg white on the area where you have blackheads.
• Wait for about 10-15 minutes till the egg white dries up.
• Now take a towel or washcloth and dip it into warm water, squeeze and cover your face. After a few seconds gently rub your face with the cloth to take off the egg white.

6. Fuller’s Earth remedy for Blackheads

Fuller’s earth is a type of clay used extensively in India where it is called Multani mitti. This clay is very effective for oily skin as it pulls out the extra oil efficiently from your skin.

Fuller’s earth and Rose Water Remedy

• Take 2 tbsp (or more) fuller’s earth and mix it with enough rose water to make a paste.
• Apply this pack on your face.
• Let it dry.
• Wash off with water.

Fuller’s earth and Almond Remedy

• Grind a handful of almonds and mix water (if you want, you can use rose water too) to the almond powder to get a paste.
• Add 2 tbsp of fuller’s earth to the almond paste. If needed, add some more water or rose water.
• Apply this to your face.
• Let it dry or leave it for about at least 15 minutes.
• Now, using fingers, rub gently on your face in a circular motion as if you are exfoliating. if it is too dry, wet your fingers a little.
• Scrub for about 5-7 minutes.
• Wash off with water.

Fuller’s earth and Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy

• Add 1 tbsp fuller’s earth with 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to make a paste.
• Apply on your face.
• Leave for 20 minutes.
• Wet a cloth or towel in warm water and place it on your face for few seconds.
• Now rub with this wet cloth gently removing all the paste from your face.

7. Vegetables, Fruits, Spices Remedies for Blackheads

Here is an assortment of remedies for blackheads that use different ingredients from your kitchen- veggies, fruits, spices and other things. Use them and say goodbye to your blackheads.

Fenugreek Leaves Remedy

• Take a handful of fenugreek leaves and after washing, crush them to get a thick paste. Use water, if needed.
• Apply this paste on your face.
• Leave for 10-15 minutes.
• Wash off.

Black Pepper and Yogurt Remedy

• Add 1 tbsp ground black pepper to 2 tbsp yogurt.
• Apply this to your face.
• Leave for 10 minutes.
• Wash off with water.

Radish Seeds Remedy

• Ground some radish seeds and add water to get a paste.
• Apply this paste on your face.
• Leave for 20 minutes or till it dries.
• Wash off with water.

Pomegranate Peel Remedy

• Roast the peel of pomegranate and ground it to get its powder.
• Add enough lime juice to pomegranate peel powder to get a paste.
• Apply this paste on your blackheads.
• This is not only a good remedy for blackheads but also for whiteheads, pimples, boils and acne.

8. Bentonite Clay Remedy for Blackheads

Bentonite clay excellently pulls out oils and all the other impurities present in your skin’s clogged pores so that you may get rid of blackheads. And that’s not all, the useful minerals present in the clay makes your skin more clean and glowing by assisting in better blood flow all over your face. However, the only problem with this remedy for blackhead removal is that your skin becomes drier. In fact, this is not a problem with those who have oily skin but only for those who have dry or sensitive skin. The only way out for such people is to properly moisturize their skin after applying bentonite clay to remove blackheads.

How to Use Bentonite Clay to Get Rid of Blackheads

Get this:

• Bentonite clay-1 tablespoon
• Water (for dry sensitive skin) OR Apple cider vinegar (for oily skin)
• Lukewarm water to wash
• Moisturizer

Do this:

• Take the clay and add enough water or apple cider vinegar whatever you are using to it to get a paste-like consistency.
• Apply this paste to your face in such a manner that a thin layer is visible on it.
• Let it stay on your face for 10-30 minutes. If your skin is dry, it is suggested to leave the clay mask on your face for a minimum time.
• Then wash off with lukewarm water.
• Finally, apply moisturizer to your face to rehydrate it.

9. Baking Soda Remedy for Blackhead Removal

Baking soda is one of the favourite ingredients when it comes to skin problems and blackheads are not an exception. Baking soda is one of the best natural exfoliating agents too and it is this property of soda that comes to your help when you need to get rid of blackheads. Gentle scrubbing opens up your clogged pores and thus not only cures but also prevents blackheads from forming on your skin.

How to Use Baking Soda for Blackhead Removal

Get this:

• Baking soda- 1-2 tablespoons
• Water

Do this:

• Mix enough water with baking soda to get a thick smooth paste.
• Now gently massage your face with this paste in a circular motion for few minutes.
• Wash off with water and pat dry your face
• Apply moisturizer.

Precaution: As baking soda can dry off your skin, avoid using this remedy too often. If you have an oily skin, you can repeat this 1-2 times a week but if having dry skin, repeat the process only after 10-15 days.

10. Sugar Scrub Remedy for Blackhead Removal

Sugar scrub is one more very effective exfoliating remedy, almost as effective as baking soda and without any possibility of too much drying of skin! This scrub excellently sloughs off dead skin cells that give you clogged pores causing a host of skin problems like acne, pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads.

How to Make Sugar Scrub to Remove Blackheads

Get this:

• Sugar- 1/4 cup
• Oil (jojoba, grapeseed, olive or almond oil)- 1-2 tablespoons
• Essential oils like lavender or lemon oil (optional)- 2-3 drops
• Tea tree oil (optional, recommended if you suffer from acne too)- 1drop

Do this:

• Mix oil and sugar and mix them well.
• Add 2-3 drops of essential oil if you are using one.
• Add the drop of tea tree oil if you have acne prone skin too.
• To apply this scrub, stir it well before you use it.
• Wet your face and take some of the prepared sugar scrubs and apply on your face with the help of your fingertips.
• Massage this gently all over your skin in circular strokes. Do this for few minutes.
• Now wash off with water and apply moisturizer.

Precaution- Don’t overdo this as this scrub is drying too but not as much as baking soda scrub is. You may apply this scrub 2-3 times a week but avoid doing it daily.

11. Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy for Blackheads Removal

Due to its natural acid content, apple cider vinegar is an ideal toner that can help you get rid of blackheads, especially the blackheads on the nose as this is one of the areas that get affected by excessive sebum secretion the most. While you can always dilute this vinegar with water and apply it as a toner to remove blackheads, here is a very effective remedy with mint leaves to give you a soothing relief from the itching and inflammation you get when you are in habit of scratching the area affected by blackheads.

How to Make Soothing ACV toner to Get Rid of Blackheads

Get this:

• Apple cider vinegar- 3 tablespoons
• Fresh mint leaves- 3 tablespoons
• Water- 1 cup
• Cotton ball

Do this:

• Crush or chop the mint leaves.
• Add chopped or crushed mint leaves to apple cider vinegar.
• Pour this into a glass bottle and leave it in a cool dark place for a week.
• After a week, strain the mixture and add a cup of water to this.
• Leave it again for 7 days in a cool dark place.
• Your soothing apple cider vinegar is ready now.
• To use it, wash your face at night before going to sleep.
• Take some homemade apple cider vinegar toner onto a cotton ball.
• Apply this to your face and leave it overnight.
• Wash off in the morning and apply moisturizer.

Precaution- If you have dry and sensitive skin, avoid using too much apple cider vinegar. In such case, use more water to dilute the vinegar. Also, do not leave the toner to stay on your face overnight. After applying, leave it just for 20-30 minutes and wash off with water. Apply moisturizer before you go to sleep.

12. Homemade Honey-Milk Strip for Blackhead Removal

When you say pore strips, you almost always mean to say a strip made up of some adhesive on a piece of cloth or gauze or some other such material. When the place and pat this strip on your face, it gets attached to your skin due to the adhesive on it. And when you pull the strip off your skin, it comes out with all that is there on your skin. You not only pull off the dirt off your skin with this strip but also the plug of sebum and dead skin cells out of your clogged pores. When you buy these strips from the market, you don’t know what adhesive is used in it and how far they will harm your skin.

The best way to avoid such a situation is to make such pore strips at home with certain natural ingredients that are safe to be used on your skin. And of course, these homemade pore strips are cheaper too. Here is one recipe of making such strip with the help of honey and milk. Both of them are good for your skin and the presence of honey makes it sticky enough to help you strip off the blackheads. These strips are especially effective for removing blackheads on nose.

How to Make Honey-Milk Strip for Blackhead Removal

Get this:

• Honey-1 tablespoon
• Milk-1 teaspoon
• A clean strip of cotton cloth

Do this:

• Mix honey and milk.
• Heat the mixture to warm it up. You may use a microwave (5-10 seconds) or any other options to heat it.
• Now blend the warm mixture thoroughly.
• If it’s hot, wait for some time so that it reaches a temperature that is comfortable for your skin.
• Now apply a thin layer of this honey-milk mixture over your blackheads
• After that, pat a strip of dry, clean, cotton onto this layer just like your beautician does when she applies wax on your legs or hands.
• However, unlike your beautician who immediately pulls off the strip, you need to wait for quite some time, for about 15-20 minutes until the mixture dries off on your face.
• Now carefully peel the strip away to remove blackheads along with the honey-milk mix.
• Wash your face with cold water and apply moisturizer.
• Do this once a week and at the most twice a week if you have an excessive problem of blackheads.

13. Homemade Gelatine Peel-off to Get Rid of Blackheads Fast

Commercially available or homemade pore strips are effective but some people do not like the messy way of stripping off the blackheads. If you are such a person, there is another way of getting the same result but devoid of any strip. Yes, Gelatine peel-off works on the same principle as pore strips do but the only difference is that you don’t strip off but peel off the mask from your face. Gelatine and other ingredients in this remedy get attached to your skin and peel off the dirt, dead skin and sebum plug to get you rid of blackheads.

How to Make Gelatine Peel Mask to Remove Blackheads

Get this:

• Gelatine (unflavoured)- 1 tablespoon
• Any milk (whole milk, skim, almond, soy, milk etc.)- 1 tablespoon
• Lavender essential oil- 1 drop

Do this:

• Mix gelatine, milk and essential oil.
• Heat the mixture using a double boiler. You need to just warm this up. Don’t make it hot, just warm.
• When the mixture gets warm, apply a thin layer of it all over your face, avoiding your eyes, mouth and nostrils.
• Leave it for 20-30 minutes or till it dries off completely.
• When the gelatine mask becomes dry, begin peeling it off from one of the sides or the bottom. Work your way up slowly while you pull away from your face.
• Once the mask is removed from your face, wash your face thoroughly with cool water in such a way that no residue is left over your face.
• Apply moisturizer to your face.

14. Green Tea Remedy for Blackhead Removal

How does green tea help get rid of blackheads! Well through its antioxidant properties. These properties help your skin to get rid of dirt and dead skin build-up that cause acne, blackheads etc. To be precise, you should note this- green tea helps reduce oils and inflammation on your skin. In fact, it also helps protect your skin from any damage that might be there in future. While the method given here tells you about how to topically apply the green tea to get rid of blackheads, you might as well like to include green tea in your daily beverages menu for its many health benefits.

How to Use Green Tea for Blackhead Removal

• Green tea bags- 2 OR Green tea leaves- 1-2 tsp
• Water- 1 cup
• Cotton ball

Do this:

• Bring the water to a boil.
• Place the green tea bags or add tea leaves to the hot water.
• Let it steep for about an hour.
• Then strain the tea or remove the tea bags and place the tea in the refrigerator for another hour or two.
• Before applying this toner to your face, wash it with mild soap and water and then pat dry your face.
• Now soak the cotton ball in the chilled green tea and wring out the excessive tea.
• Now dab this wet cotton ball on your blackheads.
• Leave the tea on your face for about 15-20 minutes.
• Wash off with water and pat dry your face before applying moisturizer.
• Repeat this process with green tea daily.

15. Epsom Salt Remedy for Blackheads Removal

If you are thinking how to get rid of blackheads naturally and that too overnight, you may get impressed with the efficiency of the humble Epsom salt. It has excellent anti-inflammatory effects but what seems to work is its adsorbing properties through which it can pull out the toxins from under your skin to make it clear. Some people even use iodine with Epsom salt to make this remedy some more effective.

How to Use Epsom Salt to Get Rid of Blackheads

Get this:

• Epsom salt- 1-2 teaspoons
• Iodine (optional)- few drops
• Warm water – 1 cup
• Cotton ball

Do this:

• Mix the Epsom salt in warm water and stir it until the salt dissolves completely in water. You may actually use water at a normal temperature as well.
• Add the drops of iodine if using and then let the solution cool to room temperature.
• Soak the cotton ball in this salt solution and apply this to your blackhead affected area.
• Let it stay there for some time, for about 15-20 minutes or till it dries off completely.
• Wash off your face.
• This procedure may be done at night before you go to sleep. And if your skin is not very sensitive, you may leave the salty water on it overnight and wash it off in the morning.

16. Cornmeal Remedy for Blackheads on Nose

This remedy is particularly effective for removing blackheads from nose and chin too. In fact, this is good for all the blackheads that have got deeply embedded in your skin. Cornmeal is a gentle abrasive agent which cleans all the dirt that lead to clogged pores and finally to blackheads, acne, pimples etc. Cornmeal thus gives you a quick, exfoliating, nourishing, and moisturizing remedy to get rid of these skin problems. You can always mix some cornmeal with water to get a thick paste and apply this to your blackhead affected skin or even massage it gently into your skin and then wash this off with cool water. However, here we give you a remedy that uses some more ingredients with cornmeal to make even more effective in removing blackheads.

How to Make Cornmeal Scrub to Get Rid of Blackheads

Get this:

• Cornmeal – 1-2 tbsp
• Tomato pulp- 1-2 tsp
• Lemon juice- 1-2 tsp
• Honey- 1 tsp
• Rosewater

Do this:

• Place cornmeal in a bowl.
• Add tomato pulp, lemon juice and honey to this and mix well. You will get a thick paste but the one which is not smooth.
• Now add some rose water, enough to make the paste smooth but not thin.
• Apply this to your face and leave for a couple of minutes.
• Now using your fingertips, gently massage your face in circular strokes by rubbing this cornmeal paste on your face. Do not be too harsh. Keep it gentle.
• Massage for 2-3 minutes and then wash off your face with lukewarm water.
• Pat dry with a towel.

Preventive Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads

What if you don’t get any blackheads! That’s such a relief! And believe me, it’s not at all tough to make your skin clean and clear like this just with a little care. Here are some ways through which you can prevent blackheads.

Wash your Face with Water Daily to Prevent Blackheads

Yes, the first step to prevent blackheads is to avoid dirt etc. from building up beneath your skin. This can be done as easily as washing your face with plain water gently daily once or twice. This helps excess sebum and dead skin and also dirt to be washed away to keep your pores clear. After washing face, every time, pat it dry with a soft absorbent towel and then moisturize it properly.

Use Natural Astringent to Prevent Blackheads

The main function of an astringent is to tighten your pores so that no dirt or dead skin cells could build up in the widened up skin pores. Therefore, one of the ways to prevent blackheads is to use astringent, preferably natural one. Witch hazel and apple cider vinegar are two such natural astringents that can help you prevent blackheads. After washing your face and before you apply moisturizer, apply a little witch hazel. If your face is too oily, you can think of using apple cider vinegar. Just dilute it with some water and then apply on your face.

Steam your Face to Prevent Blackheads

This is important because the heat given to your face through steaming opens up clogged pores, and makes your blackheads loosen up.

• Take a bowl full of hot water.
• Take a towel and cover your head with it.
• Sit down and tilt your head forwards a little in a manner that the steam coming out of the hot water touches your face.
• Use the towel over your head to cover even the bowl so that the steam doesn’t escape.
• Stay in this position for a few seconds or a minute and then remove the towel.
• Repeat after taking a short break of half a second.
• Do 5-6 rounds of this process.
• After you steam your face, pat dry your face with a towel. Loosened up blackheads will fall off in all probability.
• Apply an astringent, natural one as mentioned in the previous remedy.
• If your skin is dry, moisturize it properly.
• Don’t overdo steaming, just once every two weeks is enough to unclog pores and prevent blackheads.

Some Other Tips to Remove and Prevent Blackheads

Here are some other tips that will keep blackheads away from your face.

1. Exercise regularly. Hair follicle pores are not similar to sweat glands that secret more sweat and flush off all the toxins from within. However, when you exercise, you still help minimize blackheads. Sweating takes away all that is over your skin too which includes dirt and dead skin cells provided you clean your face immediately with water.
2. Use mild, preferably natural cleansers. Wash your face with harsh cleansers leads your skin to overreact and produce more sebum. Less sebum or to say lack of excessive sebum means lesser blackheads.
3. Avoid too much of makeup. Chemicals and other residues from cosmetics give you clogged pores that is one of the main reasons for blackheads. Always buy quality products when it comes to cosmetics.
4. Always remove makeup before going to bed.
5. Change your pillow cover and if possible bed sheet for every week. Wash them regularly to clean off any dead skin cells, dirt and oils that your face leave behind on it. This will keep your blackheads away and prevent them from returning.
6. Detoxify your body from within. Toxins and impurities inside your body prevent your skin from breathing freely and also lead to clogged pores and other skin related problems. The simplest detoxification remedy is to drink lots of water every day. And if you want some more, start having green tea.
7. Never scrape blackheads off of your nose or anywhere else on your face. This may further open up the already widened pore. This will mean more blackheads in the coming days.

Taking proper care of your skin is the only way to prevent blackheads from coming back again and again. Be careful and sensitive to the needs of your skin and get rid of blackheads permanently.