How to deep clean your pores?
There was a time in our lives when we were obsessed with our pores. It’s amazing how quickly they clog and if we dared to look at them with a magnifying glass, we would have missed them in an hour or two.
The problem is that our pores face a lot of problems every day. As soon as you step out of the house, you are exposed to pollution and dirt, not to mention fighting sweat or makeup, all of which can lead to clogged pores. So the question is: how can you thoroughly clean your pores?
How to clean deep pores?
There are steps you can take to clean your deep pores. By following these steps, your skin will become clearer and clogged pores will become easier to manage.
Remove makeup before bed
It is very important to keep your skin free of makeup when you go to bed at night. Sleeping with makeup on will not only increase signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. Leftover foundation and other products can also clog your pores and cause rashes and blackheads. Use makeup removers and facial cleansers to remove all makeup and thoroughly clean your skin without drying it out.
Exfoliate your skin
Exfoliating removes the layers of dead skin cells that can sometimes build up on the surface of your skin and cause clogged pores. Using an exfoliator or chemical exfoliant 2-3 times per week will deeply cleanse your skin and unclog your pores without stripping your skin of its natural oils.
Use a clay mask
Clay masks are ideal for clearing your pores because they remove oil, dirt, and dead skin cells deep inside the pores. Using a clay mask once or twice per week will help keep your pores unclogged and reduce their size. Be careful not to over-irritate your skin and avoid exfoliating on the same day you use a clay mask.
Make sure you drink enough fluids
By keeping your skin hydrated throughout the day, you’ll not only help your internal organs, but you’ll also improve your complexion and remove toxins from your pores.
Here are some tips on how to keep your pores unclogged. With a good skin care routine, you’ll notice fewer clogged pores over time, and your skin texture and overall appearance will become smoother and less blemish-prone.
What do clogged pores look like?
Pores are tiny holes that also contain hair follicles that cover the entire skin and allow oil (also known as sebum) to reach the surface of the skin. Pores are invisible to the naked eye, even if enlarged by stretching. They only really become visible when they become clogged, and this can happen in a number of ways.
Blackheads – Blackheads occur when oil and dead skin cells clog the pores, the pores remain open, and debris on the surface of the pores oxidizes and turns black.
Whiteheads – Whiteheads cause the pores to close due to bacteria, which produces a white, pus-like substance that clogs the pores.
Papules – Commonly referred to as spots, are cysts under the surface of the skin that appear inflamed, swollen, and have white heads.
Cysts – Cystic acne can become quite severe and appear as lumps under the entire surface of the skin that cannot be pulled out or squeezed.
If you want to learn more about pores, and blackheads in particular, you can find a blog post on how to remove blackheads on our website.
What products clog pores?
There are many products that are great for opening clogged pores, from professional extraction equipment to tools to baked goods in your kitchen cupboard:
Baking powder
Yes, great for cake and clearing pores! Baking soda can thoroughly cleanse pores while gently exfoliating, helping to decongest your skin and give you a healthy, radiant complexion. Simply mix two teaspoons of baking soda with one teaspoon of water to create a paste-like consistency and apply all over your skin. Let it dry for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Your skin is free of the deposits of dead skin cells and bacteria in your pores. Keep in mind that baking soda can easily irritate sensitive skin. So if in doubt, do a patch test before applying it all over your skin.
Professional extraction
It will be best practice, rather than popping blackheads at home. With professional extraction, you can unclog your pores without causing permanent damage, such as hyperpigmentation, scarring, and inflamed rashes.
Peeling with AHA or BHA
Using a chemical peel removes dirt buildup, product residue, and dead skin cells on the surface of your skin that can cause clogged pores. Learn more about these acids and how they benefit your skin with our complete guide to AHAs and BHAs on our blog.
Using Pore Strips
Pore strips have been around for several years, though methods for cleansing your skin have become a little gentler. Many people find that the most effective way to deep cleanse your skin is with pore strips. If you have used pore strips and are not afraid to use them, by all means continue to use them. Make sure you thoroughly cleanse and prep your skin and follow the instructions on the packaging.
Will Clogged Pores Go Away On Their Own?
Granted, clogged pores will eventually go away on their own, but it takes time and you may also find that your skin is persistently and stubbornly clogged with pores, whether it be blackheads, whiteheads, blemishes, or other breakouts. The best way to keep your skin clear is to help clogged pores with a good skin care routine.
How to Get Rid of Clogged Pores Overnight?
By following these steps, you will get rid of clogged pores overnight:
Wash your face – Remove your makeup thoroughly and double cleanse with a face cleanser, keeping your skin clean but not stripped of oil and water.
Exfoliate your skin – Physical or chemical exfoliation removes all the factors that may cause clogged pores, such as dead skin cells and dirt.
Use a clay mask – It absorbs excess oil and removes impurities that clog pores.
Use Retinol – If you use retinol in your daily routine, apply it to your skin, focusing mainly on problem areas, to unclog your pores.
The combination of these tips really helps to combat clogged pores and impurities that you want to get rid of fast! However, if you find your pores are particularly stubborn, professional cleansing by a trained skin therapist is your best bet.
There are a variety of ways to deep clean your pores. Use the tips or methods mentioned in the blog to combat all those annoying pores. You also need to consider your ethnicity, skin type, and genetics when considering how your pores look and how easy or difficult they are to treat. Once you take the time to consider this, there will be nothing stopping you and your pores will be clear in no time.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
