Clogged pores represent one of the biggest threats to general skin health. You see, they play a big part in breakouts forming, and they happen when oil, dead skin and dirt get trapped inside your hair follicles. Fortunately, if you’re plagued by ongoing bouts of acne, there are plenty of options available on the market to help turn the tide back in your skin’s favor.
So, why not stick around as we look at five great ways that you can support your skin? Within our list, you’ll find some that you know and maybe others that you don’t. Hopefully, by the time you’ve reached the end, you’ll have learned something useful.
Option #1 – Deal With Clogged Pores With a Chemical Exfoliant with BHA & AHA
If you choose to deal with the problem of clogged pores with a standard physical scrub, you could well find that it’s a touch too harsh and causes micro-tears in the skin. To avoid this, you should instead opt for a chemical exfoliant that contains Beta Hydroxy Acid (like salicylic acid) and Alpha Hydroxy Acid (e.g. glycolic acid), as it’s great at keeping your pores clear without stripping the skin.
Option #2 – Try Double Cleansing
Another method that works well on blocked pores for some people is double cleansing. What that means is using two different cleansers that offer different things. You could, for example, combine an oil-based cleanser (to break down sunscreen, makeup and oil) and a gentle foaming cleanser (to deal with deep-set impurities). This is an extra way to clear pores without overly stressing your complexion.
Option #3 – How About a Weekly Clay Mask?
Next, we have clay masks, which are great at absorbing excess sebum and drawing out all those impurities from deep within your pores. The best two types of clay for this purpose are Kaolin clay and Bentonite clay, both of which help detoxify the skin. Used once or twice a week, you can keep oiliness in check and prevent it from contributing to new comedones.
Option #4 – Lightweight, Non-Comedogenic Moisturizers
While it might seem a touch counterintuitive (especially to anyone who’s got oily, acne-prone skin), applying a non-comedogenic moisturizer is a great way to keep your pores clear and healthy. That’s because your skin often overproduces oil when it’s dry in an attempt to rebalance things, with this extra sebum often leading to new breakouts. However, when you apply this kind of moisturizer, it gives the skin the hydration it needs and stops this over-production in its tracks.
Option #5 – Use a Pore-Clearing Toner or Treatment
Even when you’re cleansing and exfoliating regularly, it’s still possible for oil and debris to remain deep inside the pores. As such, a pore-clearing toner or targeted treatment can help to balance oil production and prevent sebum from building up. This is an option you can use between exfoliation days, and it’s typically gentle enough that it won’t strip your skin.
Dealing With Clogged Pores In the Most Effective Way
If you want your skin to be acne-free, you need to support it so that the pores don’t become blocked with oil and dirt. Perhaps the best and most practical place to start for most people is to try a top-quality chemical exfoliant on a regular basis, as it’s something that many swear by for this exact issue.
Of course, it’s your prerogative to treat your skin how you see fit, so the other options shown here could yield results. Either way, just find a method that works for you and your lifestyle, as everyone deserves to enjoy clear, blemish-free skin.