6 tips to remove blackheads
Blackheads and breakouts appear on the face from puberty onwards, which is the best time to start a wellness routine for your skin, hair and body. These small, sometimes stubborn imperfections measuring between one and three millimetres in diameter can be a real headache1. They’re often located on the T-zone of the face, around the nose and chin, which is where impurities and sebum accumulate in the pores. Although blackheads are harmless, they can make the complexion look dull and affect skin health. If you don´t remove them promptly, they can also leave unsightly scars on the nose or become inflamed. Do you want to get rid of blackheads effectively and permanently? Absolution offers you natural solutions to get rid of these unwanted blemishes. Follow our advice to reveal your face’s natural luminosity.
Effectively removing blackheads from the face
There’s’ one thing to remember when removing blackheads from the nose – effectiveness doesn´t mean being aggressive! Don’t use blackhead patches at home which are often ineffective and can damage the skin. A blackhead remover is often recommended to get rid of blackheads. But using one can leave marks or micro-lesions on the skin. The advice says to choose a gentle method to remove blackheads, such as a facial sauna. This traditional method uses steam to soften the skin and open the each pores.
Creating your own facial sauna is simple. All you have to do is bend over a bowl of hot water for about ten minutes with a towel draped over your head to trap the steam. This liquefies the sebum and dilates the pores. This has two benefits: not only does it make the skin more receptive to subsequent treatments (scrubs, purifying masks, cleansing etc.), but it helps to gently remove blackheads.
When you steam your face make sure you keep everything clean. Disinfect your hands and then use a clean tissue to gently apply pressure to the skin. Be careful not to press or squeeze the skin too hard when removing blackheads as this could leave unsightly scars.
Once you have removed the blackheads you should implement an effective skincare routine to prevent them from reappearing. To treat them properly, you first need to understand the cause of these imperfections. Blackheads are more common in people with oily or combination skin. Why? Because they form when sebum, dead cells and impurities accumulate and dilate the pores. Micro-cysts then form and oxidise on contact with the air. This is why blackheads are dark in colour. Of course, several factors can stimulate the appearance of blackheads, such as hormonal fluctuations, stress, and above all, pollution.
Good to know: blackheads and sebaceous glands – what’s the difference?
Sebaceous glands exist naturally on all skin types. They help transport sebum to the skin’s surface. They are lighter in colour than blackheads,which form a dark plug on the skin’s surface and are linked to an accumulation of oxidised sebum.
Cleanse your face gently
Gently cleansing your face every evening is essential in the fight against blackheads and to promote good skin health. But be careful! Cleansing must be both effective and respect your skin’s balance. The aim is not to scrub the skin, which could activate the sebaceous glands and increase sebum and oil production, making the problem worse. Instead, you should gently cleanse to avoid further irritation. Products containing alcohol can also stimulate the overproduction of sebum. Avoid them at all costs. Instead, choose gentle cleansers formulated with natural ingredients, such as Le Nettoyant Pureté with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps to shed dead skin cells. These products will gently restore the skin’s balance.
When it comes to cleansing your face, keep it simple! Made from 99% natural ingredients, Le Savon Noir is a natural and effective product. This solid soap, made in France, is specially designed for combination, oily and blemish-prone skin. Rich in activated charcoal, propolis and tea tree essential oil, it contains unique detoxifying, healing and antibacterial properties. This eco-friendly, economical soap is also perfect for incorporating into a zero-waste, anti-blackhead skincare routine at home using natural beauty products.
Even if you’re in a hurry, never forget to cleanse and remove your make-up as it’s a prime pore blocker. If you don’t, blackheads could be a problem! L’Eau Soir et Matin is just the thing for quick make-up removal. Its all-in-one formula is suitable for all skin types. What’s the aim of this organic cleansing water? To purify, soften and tone the skin in a single step, while eliminating impurities clogged pores and excess oil. Enriched with helichrysum hydrolate, potassium and lemon balm hydrolate, it provides a complete skincare routine. This 3-in-1 base is ideal for eliminating blackheads from the nose and T-zone.
Dry, sensitive skin is not always black-head-free and can also suffer from blocked pores. La Crème Douce Démaquillante is the ideal solution to gently remove toxins and make-up residue that have built up over the day. Thanks to its nourishing active ingredients, such as pracaxi oil, this product removes make-up without impairing skin hydration.
Want to know your skin type? Visit this link and perform an online skin analysis to tailor your skincare routine and receive personalised advice.
Regular exfoliation: the key to removing blackheads from the nose
Regular exfoliation is essential to prevent clogged hair ducts caused by a mix of sebum and dead skin cells. Again try not to rub your skin too hard as this can irritate it and encourage the production of sebum in the hair ducts. The skin on the face is fairly thin and sensitive – even oily skin. Which is why you need to be gentle.
To do this, choose the best skincare products and accessories that care for your skin. L’Éponge Konjac is a perfect example. Traditionally used in Japan for skincare, this sponge is made entirely from plant fibres (from the roots of the konnyaku plant). With no additives or harsh chemicals, this sponge is ideal for daily gentle exfoliation. The plus point? The konjac sponge is biodegradable. After two months of use, it can be composted. A beauty routine that’s kind to your skin and the environment!
To eliminate the dead cells responsible for blackheads on the face, why not take advantage of the benefits of plants? Absolution La Crème Gommante, certified Ecocert Greenlife, offers a gentle yet effective solution to encourage new cell and unlock pores. This product is suitable for all skin types, including more sensitive skin. It can be used in two ways, as you prefer:
- Use as an enzyme scrub: the cream should be applied for ten minutes. It works independently to dissolve dead skin cells thanks to the active ingredients in the glycolic acids. This method is perfect for very sensitive skin.
- Physical exfoliation: simply massage the product gently into damp skin. To maximise the benefits and prevent the appearance of blackheads, you can combine the two methods!
Take your quizz!
Cleanse the skin without drying it out
Finding the right balance between cleansing and moisturising for skin prone to blackheads is a challenge. The temptation to try ‘miracle’ products like blackhead patches can be strong. Unfortunately, many blackhead treatments are too aggressive for skin that has already become sensitive due to stress, dirt or inadequate cleansing with just water. At Absolution, we know that stressed skin will only defend itself by producing even more sebum. That’s why we’ve developed gentle purifying treatments that are perfect for detoxifying the skin without drying it out
A masks is often recommended for removing blackheads from the face and nose. It works on surface of the epidermis, where the blackheads are located and is much gentler than strips. The Detoxifying Purity Mask ione of the best ways to detox your skin. Rich in birch sap, spirulina and burdock, this clay mask rids the skin of impurities. The result is a fresh, revitalised complexion. Apply the treatment mask once a week for just ten minutes to effectively eliminate toxins and imperfections.
Treat yourself to a cup of Le BeauTea Pureté while your mask does its work. This combination of almost 10 plants works from the inside out to purify the skin and body. It’s a real boost for combating blackheads and regulating sebum production on the nose, forehead and chin.
Complete your skincare routine to rid the skin of blackheads with Le Booster PURETÉ. This purifying natural ingredient concentrate is specifically designed to clear up blemishes. Its unique formulation, rich in propolis, tepezcohuite and other natural active ingredients, works quickly to reduce new spots and blackheads. The perfect targeted solution to detoxify the skin and clean the pores!
Moisturise your skin with targeted skincare
Did you think your skin was prone to blackheads because it was too ‘nourished’? This isn’t true. Even combination to oily skin with a tendency to get acne needs to be properly moisturised to prevent blackheads on the face and nose. Absolution’s certified organic products are one of the best ways to help moisturise all skin types without causing excess sebum.
Your perfect skincare partner? Le Sérum Anti-Soif. Thanks to its light formula enriched with natural and organic active ingredients, this treatment provides deep moisturisation for eight hours. It creates a real hydrolipid barrier for your skin to combat external aggressors that attack the pores and cause pollution.
La Crème de Santé is also a popular treatment choice for combination to oily skin thanks to its fluid texture. Enriched with ingredients like prebiotics and coconut oil, it nourishes, soothes and rebalances the skin’s ecosystem. Apply daily to enhance the radiance of your skin and prevent the formation of blackheads.
Discover all our products for oily or blemished skin.
Protect and care for your skin daily
Blackheads are the result of a build up of sebum. The skin produces excess sebum when it is attacked. Many factors can unbalance your skin every day, such as pollution, cold, heat or UV rays. So you should protect your skin from the many external aggressors that exist to avoid blackheads.
At the same time, make sure you’re well hydrated by drinking between 1 and 1.5 litres of water a day, which is one of the best natural skin cleansers. Finally, dermatologist research says that a balanced diet rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as zinc and selenium, is essential for acne and blackhead-free skin that radiates beauty. These nutrients and natural antioxidants play a key role in skin health. These simple, everyday steps can help keep your skin healthy, and free from blackheads and other imperfections.
Three points to remember:
- Remove blackheads after a facial sauna to prevent unnecessary attacks on your face and help keep your skin at its best.
- Include exfoliation in your routine to remove impurities and dead skin cells. This helps to reduce the appearance of skin marks like blackheads and acne.
- Choose gentle skincare routines, using natural, moisturising products. The aim is to maintain the skin’s balance to prevent the appearance of blackheads.
1 The definition, symptoms and development of acne