Constant skin rashes are one of the most common dermatological problems. They arise against the background of internal and external reasons, leading not only to a decrease in the attractiveness of appearance, but also to discomfort, even stress.
Among all acne, comedones are the most common - this is a type of cyst that occurs due to blockage of the hair stomata. In advanced cases, traditional medicine methods are used, and chronic mild rashes can be dealt with using home methods. In this article you will learn how to prepare and apply face masks against comedones.
What are comedones
Comedones are a special type of cyst that appears when the exiting hair follicle is blocked; a layer of horny tissue grows on top. The problem especially often occurs with hyperkeratosis, clogging of pores with impurities.
Depending on the characteristics of the formation, they can be closed (whiteheads), but open comedones, or blackheads, are more common. This specificity determines the complexity of working with the disease. Closed acne often becomes inflamed and cannot be squeezed out on your own, while open acne rarely leads to complications and is easily removed. Comedones can range in size from 1 to 3 mm, most often appearing on exposed parts of the body, face, neck and chest area.
The black color of open comedones is due to the presence of melanin pigment in the horny plug. In deeper layers it has a white or pinkish tint.
What ingredients can be used for masks?
When choosing components for creating homemade masks against comedones, it is important to consider that they have absorbent properties, narrow pores and normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands. It is best to choose ingredients that additionally nourish and dry the epidermal cells. Suitable components for masks:
- egg white;
- salicylic acid;
- Activated carbon;
- oatmeal of any grind;
- cosmetic clay;
- gelatin;
- citric acid with soda;
- rice broth.
All of the above products additionally have an anti-inflammatory effect and also have a whitening effect, which is especially important for working with problem skin types or severe pigmentation.
Indications for use
Anti-acne masks are not recommended if there are no problems. Due to the aggressive effects of some components, the natural process of subcutaneous sebum secretion is disrupted and water balance disturbances occur.
Main indications for use:
- comedones, pimples or blackheads without severe inflammation;
- increased fat content, greasy shine;
- excessively dry skin;
- water balance disturbances;
- minor cosmetic problems on the skin (scars or acne scars).
Before applying a homemade mask for the first time, it is advisable to consult a specialist. It is not recommended to use home methods if traditional therapy is prescribed.
Homemade acne masks can also be used to prevent comedones during remission, if the skin is prone to such rashes. In this case, the composition should be as soft as possible and have a gentle effect.
Recipes for the best homemade masks
All homemade masks vary in preparation. By combining various components you can achieve noticeable and lasting results. Below are the most effective anti-comedogenic formulations, preparation recipe and method of application:
Protein
The mask is recommended for those with oily skin and pronounced sebaceous shine. Egg yolk has a weak drying and whitening effect and rarely leads to allergies. Can be used at any age, starting from 15-16 years. To prepare, you need to mix 1 egg white, 1 tbsp. l. sugar and 2-3 drops of lemon juice. Apply to face for 20 minutes and then rinse with cool running water. You can learn about other protein masks in this material.
Made from oatmeal
The product is suitable for gentle peeling, and thanks to the large amount of vitamins and beneficial minerals in oatmeal, it effectively nourishes epidermal cells. With regular application, you can achieve whitening pigmentation and eliminate acne marks. Not recommended for working with excessively dry skin.
Soak 2 tbsp. l. oatmeal in the same amount of water, wait until it swells. Apply the composition to problem areas, wait 20 minutes. Carefully remove the mask with a swab soaked in warm chamomile infusion.
Kefir
Depending on the fat content of kefir, the product is suitable for any skin type; it is recommended for oily skin and the presence of age spots. Kefir nourishes and moisturizes the epidermis, relieves inflammation and soothes cells. Suitable for regular use, the component rarely causes allergies.
To create a mask, you only need kefir. Using a brush, apply a thin layer of the product to your face, wait for 15-20 minutes to dry. Then rinse with running water or fresh cucumber juice. You can find out about other kefir masks here.
Kefir mask against comedones can be used even if you are lactose intolerant. With this method of using the product, it does not enter the gastrointestinal tract, and therefore does not cause side effects.
From salt and soda
The composition effectively removes impurities and tightens pores. Salt has a weak antiseptic effect and effectively dries problem areas. This product is not recommended for dry and sensitive skin. You should not use salt without additional hydration of the cells.
To prepare the mask, you need to mix table salt and soda, 1 tsp each. to stir thoroughly. Lightly moisten the skin and apply a mild soap solution to it. Rub in the prepared soda mask, rinse off after 5-10 minutes with plenty of water. Do not allow the product to get into your eyes or mouth.
Rice
A rice mask helps relieve inflammation and soothe epidermal cells. The product has a weak whitening and regenerating effect and does not cause side effects. Recommended for the fight and prevention of acne at any age. Can be used for regular use.
To prepare the mask, pour 2 tbsp in the morning. l. rice with boiling water, leave in a dark place. Before use, knead the mixture to a paste and apply a thick layer to the face. Leave for 15-20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm running water.
Gelatin film mask
Gelatin is one of the most popular products for making homemade masks. It is the most accessible source of plant collagen, which is necessary to maintain and preserve youthful skin. The mask cleanses, nourishes and relieves redness, and also has a whitening effect.
To prepare you need to pour 1 tbsp. l. warm water, add 1 tablet of crushed activated carbon. Wait until the composition swells, and then heat the gelatin in a water bath until liquid. Apply a thin layer to the entire surface of the face, wait until a film forms. Carefully remove the mask after 15 minutes, moisturize the skin with cream. You can find out about other masks made from activated carbon and gelatin by following the link.
Gelatin can be used not only as a component for creating an acne mask, but also as a binding ingredient. In addition, you can use it to make homemade gel or long-lasting cream.
With potatoes
Potatoes contain a large amount of starch, which has a complex effect on the skin. Effectively cleanses and nourishes cells, and is also suitable for combating inflammation and pigmentation. The potato mask can be used for any skin type, there are no contraindications. Recommended for regular use.
The recipe is very simple - you need to grind 1 fresh potato to a puree, add 1 tbsp. l. olive oil. Apply a thin layer to the face, remove with running water after 15 minutes.
Cucumber
A cucumber mask is suitable for regular cleansing of skin with comedones. The component has a drying effect, saturates cells with minerals and vitamins. Considered one of the most versatile types of masks, cucumber can be mixed with almost any skin-healthy product to obtain a comprehensive effect.
To relieve inflammation and cleanse cells, the following recipe is suitable. Mix 1 chopped cucumber and 2 tbsp. l. low-fat kefir, bring to a homogeneous mass. Apply to skin for 15 minutes, rinse with warm water or a cotton pad. After the procedure, it is advisable to use a moisturizer.
Clay
To eliminate pimples and acne, it is best to use black or white cosmetic clay. It effectively cleanses clogged pores, relieves inflammation and helps smooth out the consequences of the problem (scars and scars). To prepare, take 30 g of clay, melt it in a water bath, add 1 tsp. olive oil. Apply to the problem area, rinse off after 15-20 minutes, without waiting for the product to dry completely. After this, it is advisable to wipe the skin with a cotton pad soaked in chamomile decoction. You can learn more about clay masks for acne in the article.
To combat acne and comedones, masks based on blue or black clay with the addition of honey are actively used. The product can cause allergies, so before the first application it is important to check the body's reaction.
Gentle peeling for problem skin
To gently cleanse the epidermis, you can use honey with the addition of cinnamon. The product effectively relieves peeling, removes dirt accumulated in cells and promotes regeneration. With regular use, you can normalize metabolic processes and increase blood flow. To prepare the product, you need to mix 1 tbsp. l. any natural honey, add 5 g of cinnamon powder. Apply to skin with massage movements, rinse with warm water after 5 minutes.
With aspirin and honey
Acetylsalicylic acid is most often used in whitening and anti-inflammatory masks. Thanks to the addition of honey, cells are effectively cleansed and the severity and severity of acne is reduced. The product is not recommended in case of individual intolerance to the components or hypersensitivity.
To prepare, you need to crush 4 aspirin tablets, dilute them in 1 tbsp. l. cold water. Add 0.5 tsp to the resulting mass. honey Apply the composition to problem areas for 10-15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water and use a moisturizer or night cream. You can read about other masks with acetylsalicylic acid here.
From honey and soda
Baking soda, which is easy to find in any home, is a quality component for cosmetic masks. It has a cleansing effect, dries skin cells and normalizes the production of subcutaneous fat, and also has a weak disinfectant effect. Not recommended for sensitive epidermis; the composition should not be used for regular use.
Pour 1 tbsp. l. baking soda 100 ml water, stir until completely dissolved. Add 1 tsp. honey and mix the composition again. Gently apply to problem areas, leave for 10 minutes and then rinse with cold water. After the procedure, it is advisable to use a rich moisturizer.
Despite its safety for the body, overuse of soda can lead to irritation and redness of the skin. This chemical component must be used in doses, strictly following the recipe.
For acne spots
To prepare a mask for acne, use a combination of cucumber and honey. The product not only cleanses and draws out dirt from clogged pores, but also tones the skin. Not recommended if you are hypersensitive or allergic to bee products. Mix 1 tsp. fresh chopped cucumber and the same amount of honey. Soak gauze in the product and apply to problem areas for 15 minutes. After cleansing, it is advisable to additionally moisturize with cream.
How to get rid of comedones on the back
You can remove comedones from your back both in the salon and at home. In the salon, cleaning the skin on the back is carried out both by squeezing and pulling with a needle and a Vidal loop, a Uno spoon, and tweezers. Before this, the skin is exfoliated using a scrub and the back is steamed with a cream or mask with the appropriate effect.
At the end of the procedure, the back is treated with an antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory agents and soothing ointments or lotions are applied to it, as well as a mask to improve the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
Cosmetologists can also remove comedones with the help of peelings, for example, glycolic peeling using retinoic acid.
At home, baths with sea salt, a clay mask, and lotions prepared with medicinal herbs help remove comedones. Coffee body scrubs are effective.
After steaming in a bath or sauna, you can remove the comedone yourself by prying it with a sterile needle. The eel is squeezed out from the edges to the center. Next, proceed as you would when cleaning leather in a salon.
But even after clearing my back of acne, the sebaceous glands did not start working properly. To get a permanent effect, you must adhere to the cleansing procedure for at least three months; a visit to an endocrinologist and gastroenterologist remains mandatory, as well as checking your hormonal levels.
A bath of string and celandine is the best remedy for comedones on the back
The course of treatment consists of 10 baths, taken every other day. Along with warm baths, you need to drink a herbal infusion and make lotions from celandine or string several times a day. In three weeks, your skin will be completely cleansed and the sebaceous glands will stabilize. What to do.
- Pour 1 cup of crushed celandine herb (bought at the pharmacy) into a large saucepan and fill with 4 liters of cold water.
- Place on the stove, bring to a boil, but do not boil.
- Remove from the stove, wrap in a blanket, blanket, anything to keep it warm and leave for 1 hour.
- We draw a bath of water, temperature no higher than 40 degrees.
- Strain the broth and pour it into the bath.
- Enjoy in the hot bath for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
These procedures must be carried out 10 times. Please do not stop taking baths if in a week the comedones disappear from your back and face, and it seems to you that everything is forever. Treatment regimen:
- 10 baths for 10-15 minutes. in the first 20 days.
- Then 1 bath once a week for 20 minutes.
If you are allergic to celandine, use a warm bath with a decoction from a set of herbs. Take:
- Celandine - 1 tablespoon;
- Valerian root - 2 tbsp. spoons.
- 3 tbsp. spoons of St. John's wort;
- 2 tbsp. spoons of succession;
- 2 tbsp. spoons of meadow clover;
- 2 tbsp. spoons of calendula.
- 2 tbsp. spoons of creeping thyme.
Pour the collection with 3 liters of cold water, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for up to 5 minutes. Leave for 30 minutes, add to a warm bath. Take a bath for 15-20 minutes. In addition to comedones, baths with medicinal herbs help get rid of psoriasis at an early stage.
Make lotions from the same infusions. After I prepared the saucepan for the bath, I took 50 grams of infusion from it and, in my free time, wiped my face and back with a cotton swab. If it was a day off, the number of such wipes could reach 5-7, but on work days I only had time to wipe in the morning and evening.
Rules for applying masks
In order for masks against acne and comedones to be effective and lead to the desired lasting result, it is important not only to follow the recipe and method of application, but also to follow simple rules for use.
Always apply masks along massage lines
The main ones:
- Before the first procedure, it is important to check the skin reaction by applying a small amount of the product to the elbow area;
- Before the procedure, it is important to thoroughly cleanse the skin;
- It is also recommended to first steam the pores with a hot towel or steam;
- You should observe the regularity and frequency of applying masks, and use medications if necessary;
- adhere to the recipe, time and method of using the composition;
- You can wash off the mask with regular running water, moistened with a cotton pad or sponge.
After the procedure, it is advisable to carry out a contrast wash or wipe the skin with an ice cube, frozen decoction of mint or chamomile.
It is advisable to apply the mask in the evening. During this period, the epidermis is extremely sensitive to external influences, and if irritation occurs, the skin will have time to calm down by morning.
Is it possible to cure comedones with special masks?
It is worth understanding that the reasons for the appearance of comedones can be different, among the most common are:
- improper skin care and neglect of hygiene rules;
- unbalanced diet and the presence of large amounts of fatty foods and sweets in the diet;
- clogged intestines and other dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract;
- increased testosterone levels, hormonal changes;
- endocrine diseases;
- liver diseases;
- nervous system disorders;
- taking certain medications;
- harmful effects of the environment.
In most cases, simply removing unsightly formations from the face will not solve the problem, as they will appear again. Until the cause that provokes the development of acne is eliminated. And if sometimes it’s enough just to change your skin care, sometimes you need to radically reconsider your lifestyle or even treat some systemic diseases. Therefore, if comedones are detected, the best solution would be to consult a doctor who can identify the cause of their occurrence.
However, cosmetic procedures aimed at cleansing the face of acne should also not be neglected. But they will only be beneficial in combination with other measures, which will differ in each specific case.
Special face masks are considered one of the most effective ways to eliminate comedones, and their important advantage is that they can be used at home.
Contraindications and frequency of use
Despite the relative safety of homemade masks, the number and frequency of procedures should be observed. Such products are usually used for a course of up to several weeks; acne masks can be applied no more than 1-2 times a week. If you additionally use peeling, then reduce the number of procedures by half. After completing a full cosmetic course, it is advisable to take a break of up to 2 months.
You should not use such products in the presence of severe inflammation, irritation and open wounds. Before the first use, it is important to check the skin's reaction to allergies and sensitivity to the components of the composition.
General recommendations for the use of masks against comedones
To ensure that anti-comedogenic masks used at home do not harm the health of the skin, several recommendations must be taken into account.
- Before using any mask, you should consult your doctor.
- Before using the composition on the skin of the face, it is necessary to conduct an allergy test: apply a small amount of the mask to the elbow and observe the skin reaction for 24 hours (there should be no irritation, itching, redness, burning or other negative manifestations).
- Apply the mask only with clean hands on previously cleansed skin.
- To increase effectiveness, you can steam the skin before the procedure. To do this, you need to pour 2-3 tablespoons of sage, chamomile or oak bark with a liter of hot water, boil for about five minutes, turn off the gas and, tilting your head over the steam, cover yourself with a blanket or large towel. After 5-10, the pores on the skin of the face will open as much as possible, which will allow the active substances of the mask to penetrate more deeply. This steaming requires special care: to avoid burns, do not bend too low. It should also be remembered that this method has contraindications: sensitive skin, nearby blood vessels, exacerbation of dermatological diseases, etc. You should first consult with a cosmetologist.
- The use of masks against comedones should be regular. It is advisable to carry out the procedure once a week. You can practice a course of several identical masks, or you can alternate the use of different compositions.
Results
- Comedon is a type of acne. It is a cyst that occurs against the background of blockage of the mouth of the hair follicle; it can be closed or open.
- To create homemade acne masks, pharmaceutical products and food products are used that have a cleansing, drying and anti-inflammatory effect.
- The most popular ingredients are clay, egg white, honey, gelatin, rice, potatoes, cucumber, oatmeal and kefir.
- Cosmetic procedures to combat and prevent the appearance of comedones are used in a course lasting up to a month. The optimal frequency of application is 2 times a week.
Cosmetology procedures for removing comedones in the salon
A corrective home routine can be supplemented with salon beauty treatments on a regular basis or courses. Procedures and salon care are selected individually by a cosmetologist based on the type, condition and needs of your skin. Aesthetic procedures do not replace the basic steps of regular home care: daily cleansing, toning, moisturizing and mattifying will help oily, problem skin stay clear and look healthy for a long time.
List of salon treatments for comedones:
- Cleaning (mechanical, ultrasonic, hardware);
- Peels of various types and depths of exposure (superficial, medium, deep);
- Phototherapy – the procedure reduces acne, smoothes post-acne (pigmentation and scars);
- Biodermabrasion or Microdermabrasion (resurfacing) - procedures fight hyperkeratosis and enlarged pores, improve microcirculation, help skin cells regenerate faster, reduce post-acne, and are suitable for treating non-inflammatory forms of rashes.
