Skin
Blackheads (Open Comedones)
Clear blackheads by gently extracting with a proper remover, using herbal blood-purifier teas (burdock, dandelion, sassafras, red clover, echinacea), avoiding fats and greasy foods, and applying chaparral/comfrey tea as a facial rinse.
📝 Summary
In short: Clear blackheads by gently extracting with a proper remover, using herbal blood-purifier teas (burdock, dandelion, sassafras, red clover, echinacea), avoiding fats and greasy foods, and applying chaparral/comfrey teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea → as a facial rinse.
Common causes: Oil gland ducts become plugged with partially oxidized oil mixed with dust or dirt.; Digestive problems, constipation, underactive thyroid, anemia, and hormonal factors contribute.; Overeating, high-fat diet, and junk food worsen the condition..
First thing to try: Remove gently: Use a blackhead extractor (available in drugstores) — never use your fingers.
See a doctor if: See a doctor if symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsening, or if you are unsure — natural supports are meant to complement, not replace, professional care.
🌿 Overview
Blackheads are small plugs formed in the pores by the accumulation of oil and bacteria. They are black at the exposed end because of oxidation — not the presence of germs. They generally cause no itching or pain, but are unsightly. Most occur between ages 12 and 30. Problems with digestionHow your body breaks food down into pieces small enough to use for energy. More →, constipation, underactive thyroid, and anemia are contributing factors. Though germs do not cause them, blackheads can become infected if not cared for properly.
Common signs
- Small, dark-tipped plugs visible in the pores of the skin, especially on the nose and face.
- The center is dark due to oxidation (not dirt).
- No pain or itch.
- May become infected if squeezed improperly.
🔎 Why it happens
Common causes and triggers — spotting yours is often the first step to relief.
- Oil gland ducts become plugged with partially oxidized oil mixed with dust or dirt.
- Digestive problems, constipation, underactive thyroid, anemia, and hormonal factors contribute.
- Overeating, high-fat diet, and junk food worsen the condition.
✅ What to do
Gentle, practical steps you can take at home — start at the top.
- Remove gently: Use a blackhead extractor (available in drugstores) — never use your fingers.
- Squeeze very gently.
- Wash the area with mild soap and water afterward.
- Herbal blood purifier (internal): Make a teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea → of 1 part burdock, 1 part dandelion, 1 part sassafras, 1 part sarsaparilla, ½ part licorice.
- Simmer 1 oz. herbs in 1 pint water for 30 minutes.
- Take 1 cup 3 times daily.
- Alternatively, fill capsules with a mixture of red clover, kelp, echinacea, dandelion root, and burdock and take 2 capsules every 2 hours until condition improves.
- TopicalSomething you put on your skin rather than swallow. More → washes: Rinse face with chaparral and comfrey teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea →.
- Apply teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea → tree oil to sores 3 times daily.
- Apply a poulticeMashed plant material applied right on the skin. How to make a poultice → of ground chaparral, dandelion or yellow dock root mixed with water — leave for several hours, then rinse.
- Steam the face: Cover head with a towel and lean over a bowl of steaming herbal teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea → (red clover, strawberry leaf, and lavender OR eucalyptus and elder flowers).
- Do this weekly to open pores.
⭐ Community-ranked natural supports
Vote ▲ on everything that helped you, and ▼ on anything you tried that didn't — the ranking updates live. Tap 💬 to share what worked, so others can find it faster.
Crowd feedback, not medical advice — in this preview your vote is saved on your device. *Ties are broken by our editor score (sources, safety, simplicity, cost, lifestyle fit).
📊 Compare these remedies side by side
Our editor score weighs sources, safety, simplicity, cost, and lifestyle fit. Source endorsements tally how many books and studies reference each remedy. A higher number isn't a promise — it's just a starting point.
| Remedy | Type | Editor score | Source endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tea Tree Oil | Herb | 67 | 126 |
| Echinacea | Herb | 78 | 88 |
🍽️ Eating to help
Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.
Do not overeat. Avoid fats, fried foods, ice cream, cream, butter, chocolate, pastry, and sweets. Eat nutritious vegetables. Moderate protein (nuts and legumes). Supplement with vitamins A, B complex, and zinc. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine.
⚖️ Good to know
- Never use fingers to squeeze blackheads — fingers introduce bacteria and worsen infection.
- Sunlight temporarily kills surface bacteria but can also stimulate oil glands and worsen the condition later.
- Persistent, inflamed, or cystic acne with blackheads requires additional treatment — see the acne section.
- Obtain adequate rest and keep the bowels regular, as these affect skin condition.
🩺 When to see a doctor
- See a doctor if symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsening, or if you are unsure — natural supports are meant to complement, not replace, professional care.
💚 Was this page helpful?
A quick tap helps us improve these guides. Saved on your device in this preview.