Clogged pores can grace you with their (unwanted) presence whether you have dry, oily or acne-prone skin. They seem to pop up out of nowhere and are pesky little blemishes that can lead to even worse skin problems down the road. If you want to know how to get rid of clogged pores, you’ve stumbled upon the right article! Here are the remedies and products we swear by to get rid of clogged pores!
What Causes Clogged Pores?
Clogged pores surface when oil, dirt or dead skin cells start to build up. When dead skin cells get trapped in your skin instead of being shed into the environment, clogged pores occur. When pores are clogged, it typically leads to blackheads, whiteheads and acne. Clogged pores can occur due to non comedogenic makeup, sweating, excessive oil production, toxins in the air, and an unhealthy skincare regime.
How to Prevent Clogged Pores [5 Tips]
1. Exfoliate Regularly
Routine exfoliation is key if you want to prevent clogged pores. When you exfoliate, you remove dead skin cells from your face, cleaning it and helping to unclog pores. There are scrubs, brushes and cleansing cloths you can use to exfoliate your skin, and you should be exfoliating one to two times per week, depending on how sensitive your skin is.
2. Always Remove Your Makeup Before Bed
Sleeping with your makeup on is one of the biggest no-no’s in skin care. Not only will it lead to dull, pre-aging skin, it can also result in clogged pores. Each night you sleep with makeup on, your pores become more and more clogged. This can result in a microcomedone, which attracts acne-causing bacteria to your pores, so if you want to stay acne-free, make sure to remove your makeup every night before bed!
3. Avoid Touching Your Face
If you notice you touch your face a lot, this is a habit you’re going to want to break. We touch countless objects and materials everyday that are filled with germs, from money to handrails, public transportation surfaces, and so much more. When you touch your face after touching these surfaces, you can transfer bacteria, viruses, allergies or other impurities to your face, which can clog your pores.
4. Wash Your Pillowcases and Sheets Weekly
Your pillowcases are a breeding ground for dirt, oil and dead skin and if you’re sleeping on them every night, that means you’re transferring these things to your face, clogging pores and causing blemishes. Washing your pillowcases and sheets can make a huge difference to your skin, especially if you sweat a lot. If your pores are already clogged, consider changing your pillowcases even more than once per week.
5. Don’t Exercise with Makeup On
When you exercise, make sure you have a clean face without any makeup! When you workout, your pores and sweat glands open in order to cool down your body. If you’re wearing makeup, it blocks your pores and glands, hindering your skin’s ability to breathe. This can lead to clogged pores, blackheads and breakouts, so make sure to exercise sans makeup!
How to Get Rid of Clogged Pores Naturally
1. Parsley Water
Did you know parsley has awesome pore-decongesting properties? It’s a natural astringent that pulls out toxins and other skin-clogging impurities from your skin. Take freshly washed parsley and submerge it into a bowl of boiling water. Let it soak until the water has cooled, and then dip a washcloth in it and place it on your face for 10 to 15 minutes. Do this every other day for best results.
2. Lemon Exfoliator
Lemon is a great source of citric acid, which works to exfoliate the skin, cleaning out any dirt and oil in your pores. Cut a lemon in half and rub it over the affected areas on your face. Let it sit for five minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. If you have sensitive skin, you probably shouldn’t try this one, as citric acid can be irritating for sensitive skin.
3. Brown Sugar and Honey
Create your own, natural exfoliating scrub with brown sugar and honey. Sugar is an excellent exfoliating agent that helps unclog pores, and honey has healing properties that will lead to a smooth, clear complexion. Brown sugar in particular contains glycolic acid, which is an awesome exfoliant! Combine two tablespoons of brown sugar and two tablespoons of honey. Mix well and gently massage it onto the face, letting it sit for 30 minutes. Then, wash your face with warm water and massage the mixture into your skin while doing so.
3 Effective Products to Banish Clogged Pores Fast
1. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + Ha 2%
This product is created with a mild lactic acid superficial peeling formulation. It exfoliates the skin, breaking down dead skin cells to expose a fresh layer of skin underneath. It’s the perfect product for anyone with sensitive skin as lactic acid is a much gentler option than other exfoliating acids such as glycolic acid.
2. Sand & Sky Flash Protection Exfoliating Treatment
Formulated with Australian Pink Clay, this easy face mask detoxifies, exfoliates, resurfaces and rejuvenates the skin. It will tighten your pores and soften your skin, giving you an even complexion. Using 100% natural and organic ingredients, it’s the perfect product if you’re looking to use clean skincare!
3. Keihl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
If you really want to banish clogged pores, this amazing product deep cleans and exfoliates your skin, leading to decongested, smaller-looking pores. Rich in minerals, it detoxifies the skin by eliminating toxins from your skin’s surface. You’ll be left with purified, less oily skin and visibly minimized pores.
Clogged pores are a pain, but they aren’t the end of the world! If you’re dealing with clogged pores, use these remedies and products to banish them for good!
