| How to Skip Rocks Posted: 24 Jan 2017 04:00 PM PST Skipping rocks is a skill that requires mastery of speed, spin, and angle. It can make for a great day at a lake or another peaceful body of water and can even be a bonding activity for you and your friends or family members. Even if you don't beat the Guinness World Record of 51 skips in one throw, you'll likely impress children when you skip stones like a professional.[1] The most important thing to keep in mind is that it'll take some practice to skip rocks across a water surface, but the hard work you put in will be worth it. - Find a flat water surface with a large supply of rocks. Lake shores or calm areas of rivers are best. Ocean beaches are not your best option, unless it's a very calm day. However, the calm bay side of a beach, such as parts of Florida's Gulf Coast, can be just as conducive to rock skipping as a lake. If you do choose to skip stones on rough water, you'll need to adapt your technique to using a slightly heavier stone, which is more likely to plough through a wave and maintain a steady course.[2]
Just keep in mind that heavier stones can be more challenging to skip, so you'll be putting yourself at a slight disadvantage. - If you can't find a flat water surface with a good supply of rocks, bring a stack of your own. It'll be harder to get the technique down if you have to spend five minutes searching for a new rock every time you skip a stone.
- Select your rock. Look for a skinny, flat and round rock about the size of your palm, which is just heavy enough to be immune to breezes and turbulence, but still light enough to be thrown with accuracy.[3] Try to find the thinnest rock possible. The smoother and flatter the stone, the better it will skip across the surface of the water without breaking the surface tension.
- However, the world record holder for rock skipping admits that a perfectly round and smooth stone is too slippery to hold; he prefers a stone with a chip or a bump that he can grip so that he can get the most spin.[4]
- It's also possible that a rock with lots of small pits on the surface reduces water drag in the same way that the many dimples on a golf ball reduce air drag.[5] Try out different kinds of stones and see what works best for you.
- If you have rougher, more calloused hands, it may be easier to grip onto a smoother stone. However, if your hands are as soft and smooth as a baby's, it may be challenging to grip it well before you throw it.
- Place your index finger against the edge of the rock. Hold the flat sides of the rock with your thumb on one side and your middle finger on the other. This is just one way to hold the stone; what matters, ultimately, is that you can send the stone spinning in a straight line with the flat end almost parallel to the water. You should make sure to place the stone in the crook of your index finger while placing your thumb on top of the rock to maintain control of it.
- You can also consider the size of your hands when implementing this technique. If you have smaller hands, you may need to use a smaller stone so that you can really get a firm grip on it.
- Face the water sideways, with your feet shoulder-width apart. Stand with your non-dominant side closest to the water's edge, with your shoulder turned toward the water. Squat down close to the water so that when you throw, your rock will be close to parallel with the surface of the water. Scientists have found that the ideal angle between the stone and the water is 20 degrees; any less than that, and the friction slows it down; any more than that, and it cuts the water and sinks.[6]
- If you're tall, you might find yourself making the angle too wide, in which case you can compensate by throwing the stone faster. Practice getting the stone to hit the water at a 20 degree angle, even if you can't get it to skip, at first.[7]
- Bend your wrist all the way back and then snap it forward to flick the rock against the surface of the water. Don't think of it as throwing an overhand Frisbee, but as throwing an underhand softball. You can also think of it like cracking a whip sideways. The important thing is that you carefully bend your wrist all the way back to generate some power, and that you then flick it forward quickly and at the right angle, allowing it to spin counter-clockwise. Throw it as fast as you can without losing form. Angle and spin are more important than speed.[8]
- The world record holder has been observed to employ a baseball pitcher's windup with a sidearm release and a strong follow through.
- Get your legs into it. At first, you can just focus on getting the arm work down, but after you feel like you have a strong sense of how to get the speed, spin, and angle that you're going for, then you can work on getting your legs into the mix so that you can generate even more power and master the technique. Focusing on your footwork can help you master the rhythm and skills needed to skip rocks to the best of your ability. Here's what you can try:
- Bend down at least half a foot and get some bend in your knees. Then, when you flick that rock forward, you can generate some additional power.
- For extra momentum, if you want to be like our world record holder, then you can raise the foot closer to the water about half a foot above the ground, lean more on your back foot as you wind up, and then skip the stone and follow through to land on that front foot. This can also help you generate some additional power. You can think of this as being similar to a pitcher's wind-up.
- Though you may be going barefoot or wearing flip-flops if you're near a calm ocean or a lake, if you're really committed, you can consider wearing sneakers. This can help you get a firmer grip on the ground and will keep you from slipping.
- Make sure to follow through. Don't just throw the rock and stop moving your arm as soon as the stone falls out of it. This will cause it to stop short. Instead, when you bend that wrist back, make sure to whip your throwing arm all the way across your chest, finishing near the shoulder of your opposite arm. Following through will ensure that you've put all of your power and momentum into the throw and will make the stone travel the furthest and skip the longest.
- Think of it as throwing a baseball or hitting a forehand in tennis. You want to complete the full motion to maximize the results.
- Keep practicing. If the stones bounce off the water and go high in the air, you're probably throwing it down too close to yourself (making a wide angle between the stone and the water); try throwing it so the first skip is further away from you.[9] That's because the force of the water pushes the rock up, and with too much force, it goes too far up then comes down at a sharp angle and sinks. If you throw it too far, though, then the stone will "surf" across the surface of the water (rather than skip) and the friction will slow the rock's momentum and cause it to sink.
- You can also practice skipping stones of different sizes and weights. You may find that you prefer a lighter, smaller stone, or a larger, heavier stone.
- If it's summer and you have some free time on your hands, just practice skipping 20 or so stones a day until you get it. Remember that you're not trying to be a world record holder and that you're just trying to have some fun.
- The really light and small rocks skip more times and go further, but a medium weight usually works best for beginners.
- A rock with a curved edge will sometimes hit the water and go a different direction, like a boomerang.
- Some people find the backhanded method of rock skipping easier. Stand facing sideways to the water, but this time have your dominant hand closest to the water's edge. Flick with the backside of your hand facing the water, like you're scattering birdseed.
- Really big rocks, like stepping-stone sized, can sometimes be skipped using the backhanded method with both hands, but they don't go as far.
- Do not aim rocks towards people or wildlife.
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| How to Realize Your True Potential Posted: 24 Jan 2017 08:00 AM PST Every human being, regardless of race, sex, or any other characteristic, has the incredible capacity to realize their potential: to feel confident, joyful, and fulfilled. Though it will be no easy task, there are several concrete steps and changes you can make on your path to this realization. EditThinking about Yourself - Determine your core values. In order to realize your full potential, you must know and live according to your core values. These are the things that shape how you view yourself, others, and the world around you.[1] Studies suggest that you will find your life more meaningful, and feel a deeper sense of well-being, if you live a life that is "value-congruent," or in line with what's most important to you.[2] Ask yourself some questions to get started:[3]
- Think of two people you really admire. What do you admire about them? What do you find inspiring? Why? How do you think these things could manifest in your own life?
- Think about a moment in your life when you felt very satisfied or fulfilled. What was it? Why did you feel that way?
- If you could change just one thing in your community, what would you change? Why?
- If your house was on fire (and your family and pets were all safe), what three things would you try to rescue? Why?
- Examine your responses for themes. Once you've answered the above questions, examine your responses to see if any themes or patterns emerge.[4] For example, perhaps you really admire your mother's selflessness and empathy and your brother's work ethic. Maybe you would save your family photos, your wedding dress, and a cherished family memento. These would suggest that one of your values is relationships, especially with your family.
- Your values are yours, and no values are "superior" or "inferior" to any others. Some people may value Competitiveness while others value Collaboration more highly. There is nothing "wrong" with either of these values.[5]
- Identify areas that are not consistent with your values. If you don't feel like you're living up to your true potential, it could be because parts of your life are currently not value-congruent. For example, perhaps you were raised to be self-effacing and not take credit for your achievements, but a core value for you is Acknowledgement. You probably wouldn't feel like you were realizing your true potential if you were not acknowledging your accomplishments, and if others didn't occasionally acknowledge your work too. Think about areas in which your life doesn't match up with your values, and see whether these are areas in which you'd like to change.
- Decide what realizing your true potential looks like. Once you have a good idea of your core values and what areas of your life could use a little development, take some time to sketch what you envision as realizing your true potential. Is it personal improvement? More success in your career (or even changing careers)? Realizing your potential in your relationships? If you have identified areas of your life that are not currently value-congruent, this could be a good place to start.
- For example, perhaps you really value family, but your job demands so much of your time that you aren't getting the quality time with your loved ones that you really need. Realizing your full potential in this case could mean finding a less-demanding job so that you can become the spouse/parent/friend that you really want to be.
- Or, perhaps you feel stuck in a mid-level job with no hope of advancement, even though ambition is a core value for you. If this is the case, realizing your true potential could mean changing careers to something that allows you to challenge yourself and grow in new ways.
- Visualize the person you want to be. Reflect on what realizing your full potential means to you. Is it a way of being? Achieving a certain level of income? Mastering the violin? Most people will have different definitions of potential. It is important that you have some sense of what your potential means to you. The Best Possible Self exercise is a research-backed way to figure out what's most important for you.[6]
 - Begin by imagining that you have been given the power to make your deepest hopes and dreams for your future come true. What does the life of future-you look like? What do you do? Who are you with? How do you feel? Imagine this in as much detail as possible. For example, if you see someone who has just opened her own bakery, think about where it is, how many employees you have, what people think of your business, and how you feel to be your own boss.
- Examine the character strengths and skills that future-you has used to get to this place. For example, if you own your own bakery, you have some business savvy, you're good with people, you're self-motivated, you have a strong work ethic, you have baking skills, etc.
- Think about which of these strengths and skills you already have, and which you need to further develop. For example, perhaps you are an excellent baker and willing to work hard, but don't have a clue what it takes to start a small business.
- Decide how you can develop the areas you identified. In this example, you could read some books on business, talk to other small business owners, and visit the U.S. Small Business Administration's website for guidance.
- It is OK to change your mind as you learn more about yourself. Take a step back and ask yourself why you are entertaining a particular version of your full potential and whether it is achievable in theory. If you do not at least consider this, you may be missing out on the chance to re-define your potential and all the joy and meaning that may come along with doing so.
- Be patient and kind to yourself. Achieving your true potential will take time and effort. More importantly, it will take self-compassion. Acknowledge your strengths and skills as well as the areas in which you need to grow. Honor the efforts you make each day toward realizing your true potential.
EditChallenging Common Thought Traps - Recognize and challenge generalization. Generalization happens when you take one experience and generalize it to the whole world.[7] It can keep you from realizing your true potential because it totalizes you: when you generalize, you're not a person who makes mistakes, you're a "failure." How could you feel motivated to realize your true potential when you feel that way?
- For example, perhaps you are trying to invent the next great technology and it hasn't worked yet. You've tried 7 experiments and all of them have failed. You could generalize from this instance and say, "I'll never get this work because I'm such a loser."
- A better way to handle this would be to think, "This experiment didn't work. That's okay, now I have even more information on what doesn't work, so I can try something else that might." You are not a failure. You are a person who is learning from her mistakes so she can keep developing.
- Recognize and challenge mental filtering. This thought trap can hold you back by distorting your focus.[8] When you filter, you focus only on the negative aspects of a situation, ignoring the positives.[9]
- For example, you might get comments back on a school essay that are 70% positive, but you can only focus on the three things that your teacher said needed work and ignore the rest.
- Challenge yourself to look at the situation as an outsider might. Try to list the facts of the situation as objectively as you can. In this case, you could remind yourself: "Out of the ten comments my teacher gave me, seven of them were complimentary. The three things that need work are things that I can work on. These negative comments don't discount the positive ones."
- Watch for all-or-nothing thinking. All-or-nothing thinking often means death to achievement, because achievement usually isn't perfect straight out of the gate. When you give in to all-or-nothing thinking, you don't allow yourself any middle ground. Either your effort is perfect or it's a failure.[10]
- For example, if you want to master the violin, all-or-nothing thinking would accept nothing less than perfection. It doesn't allow you room to celebrate your growth as you get better and better at playing a piece; it just judges you for all the mistakes you make along the way.
- Instead, remind yourself that perfection is an unrealistic standard that no one can meet. A single negative experience or mistake doesn't negate your progress. Extend this generosity to yourself and to others.
- Stop catastrophizing in its tracks. Catastrophizing is another thought trap that can keep you from realizing your true potential. When we catastrophize, we allow our thoughts to spiral out of control. We expect that the absolute worst will happen.[11] This can make us so afraid that it keeps us from allowing ourselves to be vulnerable enough to truly succeed.[12]
- For example, realizing your true potential might mean leaving an unhappy relationship. But, you think, what if I never find anyone else to love? I'll wind up living alone. I'll be unhappy the rest of my life. I'll wind up getting eaten by my cats when I die alone in my apartment that nobody visits me in.
- One way to challenge catastrophizing is to require yourself to find evidence for each "leap" you make. Is it really likely that you will never find anyone to love? No. There are billions of people in the world, so chances are there is more than one you could be happy with. Is it true that if you live alone you must end up lonely and eaten by cats? No. Plenty of people live by themselves and still have full, rewarding social lives.
- Stop "shoulding" yourself. This thought trap makes you feel as though you have to live up to others' standards.[13] It can hold you back from your true potential because you're basing your actions on what you feel you "should" do rather than what feels right for you to do.[14]
 - For example, perhaps you have been told that you "should" have children by a certain age. You might feel like you're a failure if you have passed that age and have not had children. But consider: do you actually want to have children, or have them right now? Or were you allowing that "should" to make you feel bad about yourself? As long as you are living according to your values, others' "shoulds" don't matter.
- When you find yourself thinking things that involve should/must/ought, think about where that thought is coming from. If you find it coming from a fear or pressure from someone else, challenge that thought.[15] For example, if you think, "I shouldn't have that cookie today because I should lose weight," think: do you feel like you should lose weight because your doctor has told you it would be healthy? Or do you feel pressured by society's standards? If it's the former, reframe it as a positive goal: "I won't have that cookie today because I'm working toward getting healthier." If it's the latter, show yourself kindness: "I will have that cookie because I love myself just as I am, and I don't need to conform to anyone else's expectations."
EditGetting a Concrete Sense of Your Goals - Make a list of goals. Once you have visualized the type of person you want to be, it is time to figure out how to become that person. You will be greatly aided in achieving this giant task by breaking down into more digestible, manageable, and concrete parts. The trick to setting personal goals is to make sure they're meaningful to you and to break them down into things you can actually accomplish.
- For example, if realizing your full potential means mastering the violin, that's an overall goal. You will need to further break this down into objectives (actions you can take) and tasks (specific, small things to do) to accomplish it.
- So, if your goal is to master the violin, objectives could be learning vibrato, studying the works of various composers and taking lessons.
- Breaking those down, you could set tasks for yourself. Breaking down "taking lessons" into tasks could include tasks such as locating a violin teacher in your area, determining how to afford lessons, buying a violin, etc.
- Organize your goals by importance. Figure out which of your goals are most important to you. Which goals would you be most excited to accomplish first? Which are attainable based on your current time, financial, and/or other resources? Do certain goals need to be accomplished before others? Focusing on improving one or two areas will keep you from feeling overwhelmed. When you feel overwhelmed, you may be tempted to abandon pursuing your goals because you think they can't be achieved.[16]
- For example, if for you mastering the violin meant accomplishing the goals of learning vibrato, learning all the Vivaldi songs, and learning how to tune the violin, you might place tuning the violin as the most important goal, followed by learning vibrato, then learning all the Vivaldi songs.
- In some cases, some goals are necessary to learn before you can tackle the others. Since Vivaldi songs make use of the vibrato skill, you need to know vibrato before you can fully play Vivaldi.
- As you get started, be sure to rank highly a goal that is somewhat easily attainable so you can have an early success that will help you to stay motivated.
- For example, you could set learning how to tune the violin as the first goal you tackled, since this would be easier to tackle than learning a Vivaldi song, and it would help you to further learn and play the violin (since it would be properly tuned for when you practice).
- Create a list of actionable objectives. After you have organized your list of goals by importance, choose the first two or three most important goals and create a to-do list of daily tasks or objectives that will help you to accomplish, over time, these broader goals.[17] An example of an objective would be to practice vibrato exercises and learn Vivaldi pieces.[18]
- Make sure not to pursue too many objectives at once, or your goals will come into conflict as they compete for your time, and you may end up being less productive. [19]
- Break these objectives down into smaller tasks. A task is a small, specific thing that you can do to achieve your objective.[20] For example, a task could be to practice a vibrato exercise for 15 minutes a day, or to practice 10 bars of a Vivaldi piece for 30 minutes a day until you feel that you have it down and can move on to the next 10 bars.
- Accomplish your objectives. Keep a written list of your daily tasks and cross them off each day that you finish. Repeat this process until you feel that you have mastered the objective, and replace it with another.
- For example, each time you practice your song, cross the song off your list of daily tasks. When you've mastered that song, it's time to add a new one to the list.
EditHoning the Way You Think - Adopt a growth mindset. Believe that you can work hard to improve your ability and skill level. Take mistakes and criticism and learn from them. Do not believe that abilities are fixed or unchangeable. Adopting a growth mindset leads to improved performance and motivation in a number of contexts.[21]
 - Reframe "failure" as a learning experience. You will undoubtedly make mistakes and experience setbacks on your quest to realize your full potential. However, thinking about these in terms of what you can learn from them to take into the future will keep them from holding you back from progress.
- For example, if "become a writer" is how you want to achieve your full potential, you will need to realize that there are many challenges you'll have to overcome to accomplish it. Don't beat yourself up for these challenges. If, for example, a novel you submit is rejected, don't take it as proof that you're a failure and should stop pursuing your goal. Some of the 20th century's biggest writers were rejected many times at first. Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind was rejected 38 times. Frank Herbert's Dune was rejected 23 times. J.K. Rowling's first Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times. These authors finally succeeded because they had a growth mindset, and continually improved their work until it found a home.
- Think realistically. It's important to realize that achieving your full potential will not happen overnight. Keep your expectations realistic. For example, if you want to eventually become President of the United States, it won't happen in a few months or even a few years. You'll probably need to run for a smaller public office, become a Senator or Representative for a few years, and raise a lot of funds to campaign before you even get to the election. This doesn't mean you shouldn't set your goals high; it means you have to keep your focus realistic and your expectations achievable as you work toward those goals.[22]
- Focusing on your smaller objectives and tasks as you work toward your overall goals will help you keep yourself motivated and energized. You'll be able to cross smaller things off your list as you work toward the biggest goal.
- Think of it this way: if you decided that climbing Mt. Everest was what you needed to do in order to fulfill your potential, you wouldn't just go there and try it the next day. (That would be a very quick recipe for disaster.) You'd get in shape, collect your gear, practice and train rigorously, and find a guide well before you ever set foot on the mountain.
- Think positively. As you work hard toward your goals, think optimistically about your progress. Positive thinking will help you stay on track as you work toward realizing your potential. [23][24]
- Monitor the way you think. When you talk to yourself about your goal progress, take note of whether you are being optimistic or pessimistic.
- If you catch yourself saying things about your goals like "this will never work," try thinking more positive and rational thoughts, such as (if this is true of your goal) "other people have accomplished this so maybe I can, too" or, "I will have fun giving this a try!"[25]
- Studies have even showed that thinking positively affects your physical brain. Thinking positively stimulates parts of the brain associated with the imagination, motivation, empathy, and "big-picture" thinking.[26]
- Look up to others and be inspired. Look to those who, in your eyes, have realized their full potential or are the kind of person that you want to be; study the way they behave and the way they think and adopt those aspects that you like. The inspiration they give will help you to realize your own potential.[27]
- If you can, talk with your role models about how they've gotten where they are. For example, if your dream is to be a small business owner, talk with other people who own their own businesses. Ask them how they did it and what skills and strengths they used to accomplish their goals.
- Try not to idealize role models. It's especially easy to do this with people you've never met, such as celebrities and athletes. While their success may inspire you, remember that you usually don't see the mistakes and setbacks that these people encounter. Don't let them become so perfect in your imagination that you judge yourself for not being perfect yourself.
- Take responsibility for yourself and your actions. You are in charge of whether you reach your potential or not. Rather than making excuses about why something was in your way, think productively about how you could overcome or circumvent that obstacle on your way to realizing your potential.[28][29]
- How you interpret what happens in your life is called your locus of control. An external locus of control places responsibilities for things that happen on other people.[30] For example, if you fail a test, you would be relying on an external locus of control if you blamed the teacher for making the questions too hard. This way of thinking can hold you back from realizing your full potential because you're always shifting responsibility onto someone or something else.
- An internal locus of control is where you accept that things that happen are partially in your own control. While you cannot control the outcomes of your actions, you can control your actions.[31] For example, if you fail a test and acknowledge that you could have studied more instead of going out with your friends, you would be using an internal locus of control. This way of thinking helps you move forward because you're owning your decisions, both wise and less so.
EditPersevering in the Face of Adversity - Show your grit. Accomplishing your goals will not be easy. Maintain passion about your goals and continue to work toward them in times of challenge. Gritty people are more likely to succeed because their passion fuels them and they do not give up or give in! [32]
- If you are losing your passion, remind yourself why reaching your full potential is important to you and why you were initially passionate about accomplishing your goals. Ask yourself what positive effects realizing your potential will have on yourself and others.
- Have patience and don't be discouraged. It takes many hours of practice at something to become an expert; realizing your full potential may take even longer than that. While the "10,000 hour rule" has been recently challenged by studies, it is true that you cannot accomplish mastery of something without consistent practice and work.[33] Instead of only thinking of your end goal, focus on the progress you make day to day or week to week.[34]
- To avoid becoming discouraged, think about others, such as Henry Ford or Dr. Seuss, both of whom faced initial failures and hardship yet persisted and achieved their goals.[35][36]
- To have patience, remind yourself that realizing your full potential is a long process and that the end goal is not the only thing that matters. If you find yourself becoming too impatient or discouraged, try taking time off and resting up. In taking time off you may ultimately be more productive than if you had continued working at a lesser capacity while facing burnout.[37]
- Combat fear. Avoid worrying too much about failure. "Failure" assumes that a lack of success is permanent and says something about you as a person. This is not true. Instead embrace the idea that you can learn from your mistakes. [38] Success often comes from a series of tries. That twentieth try or even your hundredth try could be the time when you achieve success.
- Consider the example of inventor Myshkin Ingawale, who wanted to develop technology to help reduce the maternal death rate in rural India. It took him 32 tries, and 32 failures, to accomplish his goal, but now his technology has cut the death rate of his target population in half.[39]
- Ask yourself what is the worst thing that is likely to happen if you try but fail to accomplish a goal? Most likely the outcome of failure will not be that bad. So, what is there to be afraid of? In fact, people tend to overestimate how badly they will feel after failing to achieve a goal; keep that in mind if you are worried about trying but not succeeding.[40]
- Feel proud of your accomplishments. You are working towards being a better person and you should be proud of that. When times get tough, take a moment to feel pride about your hard work and the progress you have made toward reaching your potential; in doing so you will be more likely to hold fast and persevere through any tough times you encounter on your journey. [41]
- If you have trouble feeling proud of your own accomplishments, try writing yourself a letter as if you were writing to a friend. Imagine that your friend has been doing the work that you have. You would feel proud of her, right? You'd probably encourage her to keep going and tell her what great work she's doing. Why would you treat yourself with any less kindness?[42]
- Find social support. By increasing your sense of belonging and well-being, family, friends, and others in your social network help to counteract against the stress that can arise from struggling to achieve your goals. [43] [44]
- Humans can "catch" emotions just as we do colds. Surround yourself with people who are positive and working toward their own goals. Their ambition and positivity will "rub off" on you.[45]
- Don't give up easily, but have the flexibility to change your goals as you learn more about yourself.
- Improve yourself step by step and set realistic goals.
- Don't get discouraged too easily. Perseverance, patience, and keeping in mind incremental progress will keep discouragement at bay. Remember, the best things in life take time.
- Never get too down if you think that you are struggling to realize your potential. Instead, take a breather and focus on other aspects of your life, such as enjoying some time being fully present in the moment.
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| How to Prevent Blackheads Posted: 24 Jan 2017 12:00 AM PST Blackheads are blemishes that can appear on any area of your skin, though they are often found on the face.[1] These sometimes painful and unsightly blemishes have many causes such as excess oil, dead skin cells, clogged pores, and bacteria.[2] Although you can easily treat blackheads, the best way to avoid complicated treatments is to prevent blackheads from forming in the first place. EditKeeping Your Skin Clean - Cleanse your skin regularly. It's important to wash your skin regularly to remove excess dirt and oil. This can help prevent blackheads from forming or clogging pores.[3]
- Use a gentle cleanser with a neutral pH.[4] You may also look for cleansers with salicylic acid, which can be very helpful in keeping pores clean and preventing breakouts.[5]
- Most grocery stores and pharmacies carry skin cleansing products that won't irritate your skin.
- If your skin is very oily, consider using an oil-free cleanser. Likewise, if your skin is dry, try using a glycerine or cream-based cleanser.[6]
- Don't use bar soaps as their ingredients may clog pores.[7]
- Use lukewarm water to wash your skin. Water that is too hot can strip your skin of oils and irritate it.[8]
- Avoid overwashing skin. Just as it's important to wash your skin, it's also important to not overwash it. Cleansing too often or too vigorously can irritate your skin, strip its oil, and lead to further breakouts.[9]
- Washing acne-prone areas twice a day is sufficient to help keep it clean and prevent blackheads.[10]
- Remove makeup before bed. Going to bed with makeup or cosmetic products on your skin can clog your pores. Remove all makeup or cosmetics with a gentle cleanser or make-up remover before you hit the pillow.[11]
- You can use a specific makeup remover, especially if you use waterproof products, or your gentle cleanser before bed. Most cleansers are effective at removing makeup.[12]
- Every month, you may want to consider cleaning your makeup applicators or cosmetic sponges with some soapy water to remove bacteria that can clog pores.[13]
- Shower following vigorous activities. If you are a very active person, shower after strenuous activities. Sweating can lead to excess bacteria and oil on your skin that could cause blackheads.[14]
- Don't wash your blackhead prone areas with harsh bar soaps. A gentle, pH balanced skin wash will suffice.[15]
EditUsing Other Preventative Measures - Apply moisturizer daily. Use a skin-type specific moisturizer after you've washed your face. Having properly hydrated skin can help prevent blackheads.[16]
- Even if your skin is oily, it may need a moisturizer, choose an oil-free and non-comedogenic product.[17]
- Seek the advice of a dermatologist or skincare professional to help assess what type of skin you have. You can buy products specifically formulated for your skin type and needs at most pharmacies and at many retailers, including department stores.[18]
- Exfoliate your skin regularly. Dead skin can clog pore and cause blackheads. Gently exfoliating your skin on a regular basis may help clear dead skin and bacteria and could help prevent blackheads.
- Be aware that an exfoliator will only remove surface skin and not penetrate deeply enough to scrub away a blackhead.[19]
- Choose a gentle exfoliator with either synthetic or natural beads that are a uniform shape. Harsh scrubs can cause irritation and lead to further blackheads.[20] A soft washcloth can also gently exfoliate your skin.
- Absorb excess oil. If you have oily skin, use topical product to absorb excess oil. These preparations can not only help remove oil, but also keep bacteria and dead skin that cause blackheads at bay.[21]
- You can use an over the counter salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide treatment or have your doctor prescribe one for more severe cases.[22]
- A weekly clay mask may help absorb excess oil and purify your skin.[23]
- You can use oil blotting papers to soak up excess oil on your face.[24]
- Be sure to follow your doctor's or package directions to help ensure that you don't overuse the product and further irritate your skin.
- You can purchase most oil absorbing products at pharmacies and some grocery stores. Online cosmetics retailers also offer these products.
- Use non-comedogenic and hypo-allergenic products. If you use cosmetics or other types of skincare products such as moisturizer or sunscreen, choose non-comedogenic options. These won't clog your pores and may help prevent further irritation.[25]
- Products marked "non-comedogenic" has been tested for acne-prone skin and won't exacerbate existing acne or cause new blackheads.[26]
- Any product marked "hypoallergenic" has been tested for sensitive skin and will not irritate your skin.
- There is a wide range of non-comedogenic and hypo-allergenic products available including makeup, sunscreens, moisturizers, and toners. You can purchase them at most pharmacies, large department stores, online retailers, and even some grocery stores.
- Keep your fingers away from most blackheads. You may be tempted to touch or pick at blackheads, but avoid the temptation to remove them this way. Picking at and touching your skin can spread oil and bacteria and may cause you to break out in more blackheads.[27]
- Picking or touching your skin may also cause further irritation.[28]
- Remove stubborn or large blackheads. In some cases, you may have a large or stubborn blackhead that won't disappear. You can safely remove these kinds of blackheads with a comedone extractor, but only use this tool in acute circumstances.
- You can purchase a comedone extractor at most pharmacies and other retailers that sell skincare products.
- Make sure to cleanse your skin before you use the tool so that you minimize the risk of spreading bacteria.[29]
- Warm your skin with a warm compress for a minute or two before you use the extractor.[30]
- Don't force the blackout out of your skin. If it doesn't come out after the first try, leave it for a few days to help minimize irritation and encourage healing.[31]
- Follow the instructions on how to use the extractor most effectively.
- If you are unsure of how to do use an extractor or have a lot of blackheads, talk to your dermatologist. She can use an extractor to remove your blackheads much more effectively in her office.
- Wear loose-fitting garments. Tight clothing can hold in heat and moisture, which can irritate your skin and cause blackheads. Wearing loose-fitting garments can help keep your skin dry and comfortable and prevent blemishes from forming.[32]
- Sweat or moisture wicking garments may help keep your skin dry and blemishes at bay.
- Natural fabrics such as cotton may be a good option if you have sensitive skin. Avoid scratchy fabrics such as wool to help avoid irritation.
- Regularly clean garments, including pillow cases, that come in contact with your skin. Use a mild detergent that won't clog pores or irritate skin.[33]
- Overhaul your diet. There is some evidence that a nutritionally well-balanced diet may affect your skin.[34] Avoiding unhealthy and junk foods may help prevent blackheads and other kinds of acne.[35]
- Diets high in fat and sugar may slow cell turnover, resulting in more pore clogs that cause blackheads.[36] Try and not eat too many fried foods or sweets.
- Foods high in vitamin A and beta-carotene, including fruits and vegetables such as raspberries and carrots, may increase cell turnover for healthier skin.[37]
- Food high in essential fatty acids, such as walnuts or olive oil, may help skin cells stay hydrated.[38]
- Unhealthy foods also take the place of foods you could be eating that provide the necessary vitamins and antioxidants to promote healthy skin.
- Part of any well-balanced diet is proper hydration. Aim to drink 8 cups of water every day to keep your body healthy, which may help your skin stay healthy.[39]
- Talk to your doctor or dermatologist if your blackheads are stubborn or severe. She can advise you on the best products for your skin as well as prescribe special creams if needed such as retinoids, which are excellent for keeping pores clean and acne at bay.
- In addition, she may talk to you about treatments such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels to unclog pores and keep them clean.
- Gently cleaning items that regularly come in contact with your skin, such as telephones, can help prevent blackheads.
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