Hi 47286...I don't know if you know this or not. But a blackhead is just a
conglomeration of oils, etc that have collected in a large pore in the face...
usually in the nose area. The tip or top of the blackhead is just turned black
where it is exposed to the 'air'. Larger blackheads are easier to get rid of
than the tiny ones. But it's fairly easy to get rid of them by steaming the
face or holding a very hot wet cloth over the area to open the pores. They can
usually be removed then by a baking soda wash or oatmeal scrub.

To make a baking soda wash...just put a little baking soda in the palm of your
hand or in a saucer and add a little water. After opening the pores with the
steam or hot cloth, gently rub the baking soda paste over the blackhead ares...
and let it sit a minute and then gently wash it off with warm water. This may
take several days to get them all. But they should come out. The bigger ones
can be very gently squeezed after loosening them with the steam or hot cloth.

To make an oatmeal scrub...just take a TBSP of regular oatmeal...and 'grind" it
in your fingers to make it 'grainy'. Open the pores with steam or a hot wet cloth...
and gently rub the dry oatmeal into the area with blackheads. Leave that on for
just a few minutes. (make sure the face is wet when you put it on..so it will
stick)..and then just wash it off with warm water.

Once the pores are clean...You can keep blackheads at bay by daily steaming your
face to open and clean the pores...and then doing a final cold water rinse to close
the pores back up.

There are all kinds of masks, etc on the market...many natural ones...for blackheads, etc. Also a blackhead remover "tool"...you can find at most drugstores.
But one of the simple steps above should do it.

i really like neem soap because i am too lazy to mess around with procedures.
also an egg white mask every once in awhile helps.

you can get neem soap in a health food store or indian grocery store. they sell it on ebay. the kind i use i buy here:

http://www.bytheplanet.com/MoreInfo/details.htm?prod=1000OR&PropPass=neem

it smells like oranges. i love it. it lasts really long. i use it as my bar soap replacement and it makes your skin feel really good all over.
i also use scrubby gloves on my face (lightly)

I saw a thing on TV where they lasered some noses and fixed the large pores and other problems. These were old men with bumpy, lumpy noses, and they came out lovely. I'm going to try this myself someday. Pat.