Top 3 Best Face Masks for Blackheads
The pores of the skin become blocked as a result of excess sebum produced at the base of the hair follicles, often as a result of hormone changes, especially during puberty.
Sebum contains a dark pigment, melanin, which oxidizes and turns black when exposed to the air. This is why blackheads have a dark appearance.
Let's go deeper into the science of how they come about and what you're probably doing wrong.
How blackheads form
There are many myths regarding the causes of blackheads. One is poor hygiene or inadequate face washing.
Blackheads are not caused by dirt. Scrubbing your face obsessively is not a good way to get rid of your blackheads. Excessive scrubbing and washing of your face (or skin) strips your skin of its natural oils making your skin to produce sebum to compensate for the stripped oils making it a vicious cycle all over again.
Blackheads are a result of clogged pores. Blackheads form when your skin pores become clogged with excess sebum (oil created by the sebaceous glands that keeps skin supple) and dead skin cells.
Hormonal change during puberty is the common trigger for excess sebum production. Less common triggers are changes due to menstrual periods, pregnancy and birth control pills.
Treatment for Blackheads
Blackheads are a less severe form of acne so treatments with creams or gels that contain benzoyl peroxide might prove useful. These products are available at pharmacies and have comedolytic and antibacterial properties, meaning they help to breakdown the plugs of sebum and prevent inflammation caused by bacteria.
Prescription treatments such as gels or lotions containing retinoid (vitamin A), antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide (antibacterial) or salicylic acid tend to be effective for non-inflammatory acne such as blackheads or whiteheads.
Face masks for Blackheads
Face masks are another alternative for treating and clearing blackheads. Many face masks for blackheads make use of unique ingredients like bentonite clay.
Bentonite Clay: Bentonite clay is a mineral-rich healing substance that has been used for centuries to treat a number of skin related problems. It has the amazing ability to draw out excess oil or other impurities locked in your pores. Bentonite clay improves circulation, which helps with overall skin tone and health.
Activated Charcoal:
Another common ingredient in face masks for blackheads is activated charcoal. It is a potent natural treatment used to trap toxins and chemicals in the body, allowing them to be flushed out so that the body doesn’t reabsorb them.
To treat acne or blackheads, mix one capsule of activated charcoal with two teaspoons of aloe vera gel, and smooth over face. Let dry and rinse off completely. The activated charcoal pulls out excess oil from pores that contribute to acne and blackheads.
Best Face Masks for Blackheads
1. Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask:
This Sephora favorite is a charcoal activated mask that draws out the deep dwelling oil that clogs your pores.
It contains active ingredients like bamboo charcoal that acts as a magnet to draw out pore cloggers, white china clay that absorbs environmental toxins and lecithin to dissolve impurities.
Origins clear improvement active charcoal mask clears and brightens dull and uneven texture of the skin, leaving your complexion clarified and refreshed. This mask is great for oily prone skin and blackheads as it draws impurities to the surface.
You might experience breakouts the first few times you use it but clears it away afterwards if used regularly.
It tends to be a bit drying after regular use so should be followed with a nice moisturizer after use.
Directions for Use
Devotees recommend using a warm washcloth to open pores, then applying the mask for a 10-minute stint before washing it off.
Top off, for dry/sensitive skin types, with a good moisturizer.
2. Bliss Multi-‘Face’-Eted All-In-One Anti-Aging Clay Mask:
Bliss Anti-Aging mask is formulated with a blend of professional spa-level 10% glycolic acid, quartz, nourishing jojoba oil, and detoxifying carbon.
Glycolic acid acts as a gentle exfoliator to slough off the dead skin that clogs pores.
It also contains kojic acid to help fade discolorations and dark spots, kaolin and detoxifying carbon to help draw out impurities and shrink pores with pumice, jojoba oil and lemon to correct, brighten and moisturize the skin.
It clears blackheads by cleansing your pores and softening skin. You instantly look younger because it minimizes fine lines, shrinks pores tremendously and diminishes wrinkles.
It also brightens and evens out dull textured skin.
Directions for Use
Apply it to slightly damp skin and leave on your face for about 5 minutes. It will feel grainy and a little tingly straight away. Wash out after about five minutes with a warm wash cloth.
The cons of using this product is that it tends to leave a grey cast on the skin after application.
3. Joanna Vargas Skincare Exfoliating Mask:
I like to think of this invigorating face mask as the next best thing to booking an appointment with celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas, who says the most common skincare error women make is not exfoliating regularly.
Joanna Vargas exfoliating mask is packed with hydrating ingredients; the mineral-rich formula uses kaolin clay to draw out impurities without over drying the skin. Plus it’s lightly scented with calming notes of grapefruit, guava, and chamomile rose for a relaxing, spa-like experience right in your home.
Directions for Use
Massage a thin layer on to clean skin in circular motions. Let the formula stay for 15 minutes, then thoroughly rinse away with warm water or with a warm washcloth.
This product might be a bit pricey but it’s not called the 15 minute wonder for nothing. Users of this product report that it left their skin feeling clean and clear after use and it completely cleaned out their blackheads.
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