This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
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Blackheads form when oil, dead skin, and bacteria get trapped in your pores. They can appear on your face, and sometimes in your ears. To get rid of blackheads in your ears, you can apply professional treatments and natural remedies. You can also prevent more blackheads from popping up in your ears in the future.
Steps
Applying Professional Treatments
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1Use a cleanser with glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is a chemical that can help to push out blackheads and tighten your pores. Tilt your ear to the side, and apply a cleanser that contains glycolic acid on your ears using a cotton ball. Carefully rub your ears with the cotton ball, focusing on the area with the blackheads. Let it sit for 10 seconds.[1]
- Some solutions may recommend longer wait times. Follow the directions of your doctor or package.
- Do not apply any of the glycolic acid to your inner ear, just your outer ear.
- Use a clean, wet cotton ball to rinse off the glycolic acid. Be careful not to let the water into your ear. Repeat one to two times a day.
- After one week of use, you should notice the blackheads fade away. Your skin should also feel much tighter and clearer.
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2Remove blackheads with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid can help exfoliate the blackheads and get rid of them. Dab a small amount of cleanser that contains salicylic acid on a cotton ball. Then, tilt your ear towards the ground before applying the salicylic acid to your blackheads. Let it sit for the directed amount of time on the label.[2]
- Never apply any of the salicylic acid to your inner ear, just the skin of your outer ear.
- Rinse off the salicylic acid with a clean, wet cotton ball without getting water in your ear. Repeat one to two times a day.
- You should notice the blackheads fade away after one to two weeks of use.
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3Dab a clay mask onto your ears. Clay masks are a good way to pull the dirt and bacteria out of your pores, removing the blackhead. Dab a small amount of the clay mask onto any areas with a blackhead. Let it sit for five to ten minutes, or follow the directions on the label. Then, wash it off with warm water.[3]
- Do not apply the clay mask to your inner ear, only to your outer ear.
- You can apply the mask once a day to help remove the blackheads.
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4Do not squeeze or pick at the blackheads. Doing so will only make the area more inflamed and irritated. It can also spread the bacteria to other areas on your ear, leading to more blackheads. Instead, apply a professional or natural treatment and let the blackheads fade on their own.[4]
- You should also avoid using blackhead extractors and other tools made to “dig” out blackheads. This can lead to scarring and permanent damage to your skin.
Using Natural Remedies
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1Apply tea tree oil to the blackheads. Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.[5] It can help to dry out the blackheads so they fade away. Put one to four drops of tea tree oil on a moist cotton ball. Then, apply it directly to the blackheads.
- You can leave the cotton ball in your ear overnight to help dry out the blackheads. Make sure the cotton ball is secure and will not fall into your ears while you are sleeping.
- You can also let the cotton ball soak on your ear for five minutes and then repeat the application with a new cotton ball several times a day.
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2Use a baking soda mask. Baking soda is a good exfoliant and can help to remove blackheads fast. Make a paste by combining 1 teaspoon baking soda with ½ teaspoon water. Apply the paste to the blackheads on your ear with clean fingers. Let it dry for five to six minutes. Then, use warm water to rinse it off.[6]
- Apply the paste once a day for three to four days.
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3Try putting lemon juice on the blackheads. Lemon juice is a great way to dry out the blackheads naturally. Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice with 1 teaspoon water. Soak a cotton ball in the lemon juice mixture. Then, apply it to the blackheads on your ears.
- Apply the lemon juice mixture with a fresh cotton ball several times a day.
- If the lemon juice irritates your skin or stings, wash it off immediately.
Preventing Blackheads in Your Ears
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1Keep your hair clean, especially around your ears. Your hair is a major carrier of bacteria and dirt. Make sure you wash your hair regularly so it is not dirty, especially around your ear area. Having dirty hair by your ears, particularly when you sleep or work out, can cause blackheads.
- If you have long hair, tie it back when you are working out or sleeping so it does not touch your ears. This could reduce your chances of getting blackheads in this area.
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2Make sure your earbuds and headphones are clean. Check your earbuds and headphones for any grease, sweat, or dirt. Use a cotton swab dipped in soap and water to carefully wash the earbuds and headphones, especially around the area that fits in or over your ears. Keeping these items clean will reduce the amount of bacteria and dirt around your ears.
- Get in the habit of washing your earbuds and headphones regularly so they stay clean.
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3Avoid putting your fingers in your ears. Your fingers carry bacteria and dirt. Try not to stick your fingers in your ears or around your ear area. Doing so can cause a buildup of bacteria and dirt, which can lead to blackheads.
Warnings
- If you have sensitive skin, do not leave any acid (including glycolic and salicylic) on your skin for longer than a minute.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- If you notice any swelling, inflammation, pain, or warm skin, visit your doctor. These may be signs of a skin infection.⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References
- ↑ http://www.allure.com/story/how-to-treat-acne-in-your-ears
- ↑ https://bellatory.com/skin/how-to-get-rid-of-blackheads-in-ears
- ↑ https://www.healthacnetreatment.com/blackheads-in-ear/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12452873
- ↑ http://naturesnurtureblog.com/natural-skin-care-baking-soda-for-blackheads/
About This Article
If you’ve got blackheads inside your ear, you can get rid of them with a few different natural remedies and commercial products. Try putting a few drops of tea tree oil on a moist cotton ball, then holding it to your ear for 5 minutes a few times a day. Tea tree oil has natural antiseptic properties and can help dry out your blackheads. Or, mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice with 1 teaspoon water and soak a cotton ball in the mixture. Apply it to your blackheads for a few minutes several times a day. Alternatively, soak a cotton ball in a cleanser that contains glycolic or salicylic acid and rub this on your outer ear once or twice a day. Don’t squeeze or pick at your blackheads, since this can make them worse. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to prevent blackheads in the future, read on.
