Acne comes in many forms, and whiteheads are a mild form of them. Just like the normal acne, they are caused by the blockage of the skin pores. In this case, however, the skin produces a lot of sebum. The rate of production exceeds that of excretion and the pores end up clogged. Bacteria this breed on the blocked skin and the end result of the two becomes whiteheads. It can also be caused by the rapid hormonal changes that occur during puberty. The condition is quite irritable but can be easily reversed with any of these home remedies.
6 Home Remedies for Whiteheads
Using Lemon Juice
The vitamin C in lemon is very helpful to the skin. Other than stimulating the flow of blood and the excretion of toxins, it helps to fight all types of acne, including whiteheads. It is a simple remedy, where all you have to do is to cut the cut some lemons in halves and squeeze out the juice. Directly apply this juice on the whiteheads using some cotton balls. Rinse the areas with warm water half an hour later and pat it dry. This remedy also prevents the condition from occurring anytime soon after it has been treated.
Using Steam
The skin like any other solid tends to expand when heated. This is the theory behind the use of steam as a home remedy for whiteheads. Exposing the skin to steam for a limited amount of time helps the pores to expand, creating room for the excess sebum to be released. The high temperatures also kill some of the germs that collect on it resulting in the whiteheads. There is no complicated procedure to using this remedy s all you need is a cup or two of boiled water. Put the water in a bowl and hold the face over the bowl for about ten minutes. This should allow enough time for the skin to be exposed to the steam. Once the period is over, let the skin dry up on its own.
Using Oatmeal Powder
Oatmeal helps to exfoliate the skin. It also helps to dry up any excess sweat and sebum that the skin produces. This is why it is included as an ingredient in many beauty products. For this remedy to be highly effective, you need to grind some oatmeal into a fine powder. Mix the powder with some plain yogurt and stir gently to form a smooth thick paste. Apply the paste over the areas of the skin that are affected by the whiteheads and leave it there for a quarter of an hour. Rinse the skin with some water. The paste can also be used as a face mask. The remedy should be done twice each week till the whiteheads are gone.
Using Sugar Exfoliation
Sugar is beneficial to the skin in two ways. First, it cleans the skin ridding it on any dead skin cells, debris, and germs that collect on it. The other is to dry up the skin, meaning that it absorbs any excess water, sweat and sebum on it. It is this two benefits that make it an effective home remedy for whiteheads. To use this remedy, make a fine paste by mixing some sugar and honey. Use this paste to massage the areas of the skin that are affected by whiteheads. It can also be applied as a facial mask. After ten or fifteen minutes rinse the skin with some water and pat it dry. It is good to apply a non-oil moisturizer after the treatment to avoid cracking. Doing this once each week is enough to clear the skin.
Using Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is present in the average kitchen since it finds a lot of use in the flavoring of food. The vinegar can also find extra use as a skin cleanser since application helps to remove dirt and germs from the skin. It also helps the body to release the excess sebum by opening up the pores and cleaning them. Mix a cup of water with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar then apply this on the areas of the skin affected by whiteheads. Rinse the skin off after twenty minutes with some warm water. You can also add a cup of apple cider vinegar in a bathtub of water before taking your shower. This helps to clean a larger portion of the skin.
Strawberries
Strawberries are rich in vitamins and salicylic acid. Application of the strawberries on the skin thus serves to stimulate blood flow, eliminate any bacteria and nourish the skin with nutrients. It is best to go with natural ripe berries for this remedy. Mash some berries into a paste or blend them into a smooth liquid. Apply either the paste or the liquid on the skin, concentrating on the areas affected by the whiteheads. Rinse the skin off with water after fifteen minutes. For added effectiveness, add some honey to the strawberry paste before application on the skin.
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acne/DS00169/DSECTION=causes
http://www.natural-acne-solution.com/hormonal-acne.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/292492-home-remedy-for-white-heads/
