Skin care tips
Taking care of your skin is long term process but there are some ways effective for preventing the whiteheads in the first place. Try these tips:
- Wash your face at least once with a mild product, such as Dove or Cerave.
- Prefer lukewarm water for bathing and cleansing.
- Avoid using harsh scrubs, as it can cause skin irritation.
- Exfoliate twice a week. It will help in getting rid of dead cells that clog your pores, however exfoliating too much can cause further irritation and create more acne problems.
- Apply a sunscreen specially designed for the face. All-over sunscreen clogs facial pores.
- Regularly clean your hair as the oil from hair can clog your pores.
- Don’t let hair products touch your face.
- Clean your pillow case, smartphone, and sunglasses regularly to get rid of dirt, oil, and bacteria.
And if you love wearing makeup, there are certainly other things also you need to keep in mind:
- Clean your makeup before going to sleep.
- Choose for makeup products that labeled oil-free and noncomedogenic. These don’t clog your pores.
- Discard old makeup. All creams should be used within few months, while powders can last for a year.
- Avoid makeup jars, as it can harbor bacteria.
- Clean makeup brushes and sponges after every use.
- Never ever share your makeup and applicators.
Hands-off approach
Ironically, the first step to whitehead treatment is to take a hands-off approach. Touching your face every time invites more pore-clogging oil, dirt, and bacteria, causing more irritation.
Popping and picking whiteheads do more harm than good. In some cases, it can lead to permanent scarring. Your best bet is to seek other removal and preventive methods.
Home remedies
Home remedies are the easiest and affordable removal options. They usually involve things that are already available in your home.However, beware of damaging ingredients. You should immediately stop any remedy that is causing skin irritation.
While some home remedies may help, few other items can cause skin irritation. For example:
- lemon juice and apple cider vinegar can be too acidic for sensitive skin
- baking soda can be too harsh
- sugar crystals can worsen your inflammation and even cut your skin
Natural remedies
Nowadays natural remedies are gaining too much popularity as compared to alternative skin treatments. The term “natural” may seem promising, but there is some downside of these treatments. Use the following items with caution.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a best natural anti-inflammatory oil. It also has antimicrobial benefits which can help in clear up whiteheads.
Witch hazel
Witch hazel derived from it flowering plant can be effective in healing whiteheads with its astringent, pore-opening abilities.
Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide can be effective in both spot treatment and full face treatment. It removes bacteria and excess oil. It’s in treating multiple whiteheads in one spot, as it reduces inflammation in the surrounding area.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid can help in decreasing oil production in pores. It dries out the surface of your skin, getting rid of dead cells that clog your pores.
Retinoid creams
Retinoids contain a stronger version of vitamin A. When used daily as a face cream, retinoid provides anti-aging benefits and unclog your pores too. Take special care when using retinoid creams. They may make your skin sensitive to the sun. Wear sunscreen daily, and avoid being in the direct sunlight during peak hours.
