Lifestylica
Not all of us are blessed with the perfect skin. Women with oily skin often complain about small little bumps on their skin, filled with a white, oily substance. These are nothing but whiteheads. Whiteheads are a result of excess oil that is produced by the skin. If you suffer from whiteheads, you don?t have to wait for your monthly appointment at the salon to get them cleaned up. We tell you how to get rid of whiteheads through natural homemade remedies that will give you a salon-like clean up, right at home!
How are Whiteheads Caused?
Whiteheads crop up on your face due to the excess oil or sebum that is produced by the skin. This sebum clogs the skin pores and attracts dirt and debris towards it. The moment there is dirt and oil in a pore, bacteria starts residing in it and culminates in a white head. Left unattended, it is these whiteheads that can turn into blackheads and even pimples.
If you have oily skin, it is natural to find them in the areas of your face that are most oily – your T zone – the forehead, nose and chin. Whiteheads give your skin an uneven appearance and tarnish its natural glow. So it becomes important to tend to them from both a hygiene and a beauty point of view.
Also read,?How to get rid of acne and pimples?
How to Get Rid of Whiteheads?
If you are suffering from whiteheads, there are some simple homemade remedies that can help you get rid of them. Depending on the severity, you can choose from the remedies suggested below. All of them use natural ingredients and are safe on your skin.
Steaming
Steaming is perhaps the most tried and tested method to get rid of?whiteheads. The idea behind using steam is that it opens out the pores and lets you clean the whiteheads out easily. To steam your face, boil a vessel of water. Pour it in a wide mouth container like a bucket. Now cover your face with a towel and let the steam from the water on your face. After steaming for about five minutes, use a clean cotton cloth and wipe your face. Most of the whiteheads should get removed.
Don’t want to do it the hard way? Try the automatic Facial Sauna.
Oatmeal Scrub
A scrub or an exfoliant penetrates into the skin and clears the dirt and oil in the pores. Since whiteheads are extremely delicate, we suggest that you use a mild homemade exfoliant made of oatmeal rather than harsh scrubs like walnut to remove whiteheads. To make the scrub, mix two spoons of oatmeal powder with two spoons of curd and make a paste. Apply this all over the face in circular motions, concentrating on areas with whiteheads. Leave it for ten minutes and wash off with water. Pat your skin dry. Applying this oatmeal exfoliant once a week rids the skin of all its impurities, including whiteheads.
Read more about how to remove blackheads at home.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is an excellent natural antibacterial agent that works magic against whiteheads. To remove whiteheads, make a mixture of 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar in 10 tsp of water. Apply this with a cotton ball on the affected areas. If you cannot tolerate the smell, add a few drops of tea tree oil to the mix. Wash it off after it dries. Doing this twice a month will keep whiteheads at bay. Check this video for more information on this subject.
Baking Soda Paste
Another effective way to get rid of whiteheads is to apply a paste of baking soda with water on your skin. Wash it after five minutes and pat dry. Baking soda unclogs the pores and when done regularly, eventually removes whiteheads.
Remember that baking soda tends to dry out the skin. So use a light moisturizer or aloe vera gel on your skin soon after.
How to Prevent Whiteheads Further?
Now that you have seen some tried and tested ways to get rid of whiteheads, here are some lifestyle changes that will help you avoid them from coming back further.
- The root cause of whiteheads is the hormonal changes taking place in your body. If possible, address them. Else, at least maintain a healthy diet – consume lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and water and avoid fried foods.
- Wash your face twice a day with a mild facewash. Maintaining your face clean means that you are giving minimal chance for the accumulation of sebum. A cleanser with salicylic acid works well to prevent clogging of pores.
- Wash your hands well before touching your face.
- Change your pillowcases often to prevent any infection from built up bacteria.
- Remove your makeup every night to prevent clogging of pores. Try shifting to lighter, water based makeup that will not cause oiliness.
- Steam your face, followed by exfoliation at least once a week. Follow it up with a cooling mask like Multani Mitti or Sandalwood mask that will absorb excess oil and close the pores.
By following these simple tips in your beauty regimen, you can easily prevent whiteheads from coming back in full force. But it is definitely difficult to get rid of every single one of them. For that, follow our simple homemade remedies and you will certainly see a marked improvement in your skin and a decline in the number of clean-ups that you need in a year!
