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 Acne is a common skin condition that affects the overall texture and appeal of the skin. It is prevalent more among teenagers and young adults. There are many different types of acne, whiteheads being one of them.

What are whiteheads?

Whiteheads are comedones, which are essentially blocked pores. These pores are actually hair follicles that contain the sebaceous glands. Whiteheads occur when the hair follicles are blocked with sebum, produced by the sebaceous gland. Whiteheads remain white as the sebum does not get oxidized. In some cases, when oxidization does occur you get blackheads. Whiteheads manifest as white bumps on the skin.

Treatment

While there are many creams and medications available in the market, most of these contain chemicals and may or may not be effective. Natural cures thus work better in clearing whiteheads and improving the overall health of the skin. Some of the treatment measures for whiteheads have been outlined below.

• To start with, drink plenty of water and fresh fruit juices, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. These will help in flushing out toxins from the body. They also keep you hydrated and make skin supple.

• Add more green leafy vegetables to your diet. Nuts also provide the right nutrients and help in detoxification. Avoid spicy and oily foods, fried foods, and highly refined foods, which can worsen the condition.

• Lemon mixed with gram flour and honey can be applied on the face for 20 minutes and washed with warm water. Pat it dry with a soft towel. This will allow the pores to open and clear the whiteheads.

• Another home remedy for whiteheads is dry and powdered pomegranate peels mixed with lemon juice. Apply this on the whiteheads to cleanse the pores. In case your skin is sensitive to lemon juice, add a little honey to the mixture. Honey also helps in clearing the marks that whiteheads may leave.

• Avoid using too much of soap as it strips the skin of its natural oils and makes it dry. You can even make a natural cleanser. You can powder green gram and mix it with chickpea flour and dried and powdered lemon, orange peels and rose petals. This blended powder can be stored in an airtight container and used instead of soap or artificial cleansers.

• Use cotton balls soaked in milk to cleanse makeup. Makeup, if not cleaned, can clog the pores further.

• Soak few almond seeds overnight and make them into a paste in the morning. Mix with lemon juice and apply on face and wash with warm water.

• Oatmeal can be powdered and mixed with buttermilk and used as scrub. Massage gently on the face to treat whiteheads.

• Steaming the face with mildly hot water will clear the whiteheads and allow the skin to breathe.

• Fenugreek leaves can be made into paste and applied in the night and washed with warm water in the morning. You can do this twice a week.

• To exfoliate the skin, use cornstarch mixed with vinegar.

• Benzoyl peroxide is often used in the treatment of whiteheads. Its antibacterial properties will help cure whiteheads, and it is one of the main ingredients in the products for acne.

• Sandalwood powder mixed with rose is effective natural cure for whiteheads. It relieves pain and irritation if the condition is severe.

Prevention

• For prevention of whiteheads, it is important to follow a proper skin care regime that includes cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.

• To prevent whiteheads it also important to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to keep the toxins out of the body and improve the overall health of the skin.

Reference
H K Bakhru, Natural Home Remedies for Common Ailments, 1996

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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