Are whiteheads ruining your pretty face? Well it’s not just you, almost EVERY woman faces this! They’re usually caused when your sebaceous glands produce extra oil (called sebum). This causes dead skin cells and dirt to get trapped in your pores, giving rise to whiteheads. So now that you know about them ladies, you might want to know how to deal with them. Here’s how!
1. Before You Touch Your Face, Wash Your Hands
Whatever you do, DO NOT touch your face – and your whiteheads – without washing your hands first! Since your fingers are more prone to picking up bacteria and dirt from everything you handle all day long, you don’t want to touch your face and transfer them further on your skin. If you do, it could not only aggravate the whiteheads you already have, but also give rise to even more. That’s why you need to wash your hands with an antibacterial soap like this one to keep the germs away.
2. Wash Your Face Twice Daily
If you want to avoid getting whiteheads, you have to keep your face clean. By clean we mean, wash your face twice a day without fail! Once in the morning and once in the night. This will help minimize the chance of oil and germ buildup. When you’re choosing a face wash, always make sure that you’re buying one that contains salicylic and alpha hydroxyl acids in it. These face washes are made specially to tackle oil, unclog pores and deep cleanse skin debris. We love the Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser. Once you’ve washed your face, always remember to pat (and not wipe) dry.
3. Apply A Face Mask Once A Week
Want to remove dead cells and bacteria at one go? A facemask will do the perfect job! You could buy a pack from a local chemist or make an organic one at home yourself! Baking soda, water and a dash of lemon juice should do the trick. Use a thick brush and gently apply the paste all over your face. Keep the mask on for 15-20 minutes till it hardens and wash it off with lukewarm water.
4. Use A Face Scrub
If you love your skin, you have to pamper it! Give it that scrub it deserves. At least once a week, you should exfoliate your skin using a facial scrub like this one. This will help you get rid of your whiteheads, prevent oil buildup and remove dead skin cells that are currently clogging up your pores. If you have a facial steamer lying around at home, use it! If you don’t, steaming water will work just fine. When you’re ready to take the steam in, place a towel/cloth over your head. Take as much as steam as you can for 5-10 minutes. This will open up your pores. After that, pat dry and use your face scrub. To close your pores, apply a skin toner like this one at the end. Do this on a weekly basis, and you will soon feel the difference!
5. Moisturize Your Face After Giving It A Wash
Did you know that dry skin is also a cause for getting whiteheads? Well, it absolutely is! Dry skin is vulnerable to breakouts, bacteria and dirt. That’s why you need to moisturize your face after exfoliating and washing it. It keeps your skin moist, healthy and baby soft. Keep in mind that moisturizing your face daily is a must, so invest in a good moisturizing lotion.
6. Don’t Forget To Remove That Makeup!
Before you hit the sack, you must remove your makeup. You see, if you don’t, it will clog your pores and give rise to not just whiteheads, but to blackheads and acne as well. To remove it, you can use baby oil, coconut or a makeup remover. Give your skin the chance to breathe and, in return, it will save itself from those pesky whiteheads.
7. Keep A Tab On Your Diet
You want your skin to be healthy? Then you’ve got to start eating healthy. Junk food or aerated drinks will not do. Replace these artificial sugary drinks with water and fresh fruit juice instead. Water will flush toxins away and keep your skin hydrated. As far as food is concerned, include more veggies and fruits in your diet. They contain vitamins A and E that keep both your skin and system healthy. If you haven’t been doing this yet, it’s never too late to start!
8. Give Benzoyl Peroxide A Shot
If all these methods are yet not working out for you, you should give a product that contains benzoyl peroxide a shot! Use a coin-sized amount of it before you moisturize your face. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and wash it off with cold water. This acne cleanser is known to absorb oil and effectively do away with unwanted bacteria.
9. Consult A Dermatologist
Sometimes, the problem can be so persistent that you simply can’t deal with it at home. In that case, set up an appointment with a dermatologist. The doctor will either help you get them professionally removed, or prescribe medication that can help with the problem.
Images: Shutterstock
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