Have you ever leaned over the mirror – only to find those stubborn little black dots staring back at you? I sure have—especially on my nose and chin. I’ve been trying everything from drugstore pore strips to pricey facials for years in hopes for that smooth, poreless glow. Spoiler alert: I didn’t see real change until I went natural and simplified my routine.
I’ve tested my fair share of tricks as a skincare expert and beauty blogger and in this post I’m sharing what actually works. Each of these 9 methods are natural, affordable and best of all, they are gentle. I have a lot of blackheads and they’ve helped me manage those without drying out my skin or provoking flare ups.
This guide is perfect if you:
-
- Struggle with blackheads around the nose, forehead, or chin
- Want to avoid harsh, stripping products
- Prefer natural or at-home skincare solutions
What Causes Blackheads and Why They Keep Coming Back
Blackheads form when your pores get clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and dirt. When the top of that clog is exposed to air, it oxidizes and turns dark—hence the term “blackhead.” Unlike whiteheads, blackheads have an open surface, which makes them easier (but not always safer) to extract.
| Feature | Blackheads | Whiteheads |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Dark, open pore | White bump, closed pore |
| Oxidation | Yes | No |
| Clogged with | Sebum + dead skin + air | Sebum + dead skin |
| Extraction method | Easier to remove | Harder to extract |
9 Ways to Get Rid of Blackheads Naturally
1. Steam Your Face to Open Up the Pores
One of my favorite self-care rituals is steaming my face. I discovered this during a rainy vacation in Iceland—every spa there had steam rooms, and my skin never looked better. Steaming helps loosen up the gunk inside pores, making it easier to clean them without squeezing.
2. Use a Clay Mask Once a Week
I’m obsessed with bentonite clay masks. Mix it with apple cider vinegar, and you’ve got a natural vacuum for your pores. I started doing this in college when I couldn’t afford facials—and it’s still part of my routine today.
- Mix 1 tbsp bentonite clay with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Apply to clean skin, avoiding eyes and lips
- Let it dry for 10–15 minutes
- Rinse with warm water and follow with moisturizer
3. Exfoliate with a Natural Scrub
At that time when I first ventured into skincare, I used to use harsh scrubs. My cheeks were red and raw. The upside for me now is that I use a gentle sugar and honey mix once a week to remove dead skin and unblock pores.
While some of these common scrub ingredients may now be doing more harm than good!
- Walnut shell powder
- Plastic microbeads
- Fragrance-heavy exfoliators
Keep it simple (and edible) with ingredients you know —and can trust—you’re skin will thank you.
4. Try Oil Cleansing at Night
Using oil to fight oil? It sounded wild to me at first, too. While this was never an issue for me, oil cleansing has been one of my holy grail steps. At night, I massage a little jojoba oil into my skin and simply wipe it off with a warm towel. I feel like my pores are cleaner and I don’t wake up so oily.
5. Avoid Comedogenic Ingredients in Products
I used to think “natural” automatically meant “safe.” Then I broke out using a coconut oil-based moisturizer. Turns out, some ingredients—natural or not—can clog pores.
- Coconut oil
- Isopropyl myristate
- Lanolin
- Algae extract
- Wheat germ oil
Now I always check the comedogenic rating of products before trying anything new.
6. Use a Salicylic Acid Spot Treatment (Once a Week Only)
BHA (salicylic acid) dived down into your pores to get rid of oil. But overuse can cause dryness or sensitivity. I only use very thinly around my nose and chin once a week or so, no more than that. It’s a targeted boost, not a daily staple.
7. Switch to a Fragrance-Free Gel Cleanser
But I ditched my heavily foamy, heavily fragranced cleanser for a fragrance free gel and its life changing. My skin feels clean without that tight, over-washed feeling. The fewer unnecessary ingredients, the better.
8. Clean Pillowcases and Towels Weekly
Once my esthetician told me, “Wash whatever it is if it touches your face.” That stuck with me. Bacteria, oil, and residue build up quickly on fabric. Now I am rotating pillow cases twice a week and a fresh towel for my face, daily.
9. Focus on Internal Health and Hydration
Last summer I took the plunge and cut out dairy, drank more water and less sugar. My skin thanked me immediately. While hydration and diet don’t sound like a cure all to your pores and oil production, they certainly do!
Can You Squeeze Blackheads Out? What I Learned the Hard Way
I used to pop them all the time and let me be honest. In the moment it was satisfying…until I spent days and months nursing dark spots to fade. At this point I now close (use rarely) comedone extractor only after steaming then use soothing toner.
If you can’t resist, be gentle and clean. But most of the time? Hands off is the best policy.
Final Thoughts
Here’s what I’ve learned on my blackhead journey:
- Gentle, consistent care always wins
- Your skincare should feel nurturing—not harsh
- Natural doesn’t always mean non-comedogenic
- Weekly habits matter more than rare splurges
- Listen to your skin—it tells you what it needs
Skincare is personal. And it’s all about just learning and adjusting, taking small little steps towards more healthy skin. If you’re one of those people, like I was, who have struggled with blackheads, I hope you find the clarity (and clear skin) you’re hoping for in my tips.
What works best for you when dealing with blackheads? Have you tried any of these methods?
