I’m often asked by my clients, “How can I keep my pores clean?” As a licensed esthetician and someone who has been cleaning out blackheads and clogged pores out of people’s skin for over 25 years, I’m well qualified to answer this question.
You need to do two things:
1. To keep the pores clean, you must get manual extractions either by doing it yourself or from an experienced esthetician on a regular basis, ideally monthly.
Read: How to Manually Extract Blackheads and Clogged Pores From Your Skin
2. Keep them cleaned out by using a pore-clearing product with salicylic acid. My very favorite is BHA Clarifying Serum. Get more information about products with salicylic acid here.
If you commit to doing these two things, you’ll get clearer and cleaner pores. It’s that simple.
What causes clogged pores?
For those who produce oil (more common in darker skin tones than in light), the oil gets blocked in the pore along with dead skin cells that don’t shed normally. This results in clogged pores (also known as closed comedones). Sometimes skin care products, such as creams with mineral oil or petrolatum, can also cause bumps and clogged pores in the skin so it’s best to avoid these ingredients.
What causes blackheads?
In the case of blackheads (as with clogged pores), the oil on the top of the pore opening oxidizes with air and turns black. This is why you should use an antioxidant serum with vitamin C to reduce oxidation; thus preventing blackheads from turning black as quickly. Read: My 3-Step Plan for Reducing Blackheads
How do I find a reputable skin care professional to clean out my pores?
You need to find an experienced and reputable esthetician to manually extract your clogged pores. Read: How to Find a Reputable Skin Care Professional in Your Area If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, schedule a deep pore cleansing facial at Renée Rouleau Skin Care Spas. Our estheticians are very skilled at gentle extractions. Read: Professional Extractions that Won’t Scar Your Skin
Can I extract the pores myself?
Yes, but you need to do it carefully to avoid damaging the skin. Read: How to Manually Extract Blackheads and Clogged Pores From Your Skin
How does salicylic acid keep my pores clean?
The best way to prolong the pore-cleaning benefit of manual extractions is to use a salicylic acid serum regularly that will get into the pore lining and keep them from collecting oil as quickly. (Since the pores are stretched, the oil and dead cells will eventually fill back up again but this will definitely prolong it.)
I highly recommend BHA Clarifying Serum. Get more information here.
Salicylic acid is a keratolytic beta hydroxy acid (BHA) known for its ability to exfoliate and smooth the skin, keep the pores clean and reduce acne-causing bacteria to lessen blemishes. When used along with other gentle ingredients, it is excellent for sensitive skin types. There are many products that use salicylic acid such as cleansers, moisturizers, toners and facial scrubs. To get the best results, use it in a serum that is left on the skin overnight (versus a cleanser that gets washed right off). Serums also have a smaller molecular structure than all other categories of products so they get absorbed deeper within the pores and yield better results.
How can I shrink my large pores?
Long-term use of a product containing Retinol will really help smooth the skin and make pores look smaller and less noticeable. My very favorite product for making pores smaller is Advanced Resurfacing Serum with pure Retinol. Watch this video of me talking about how retinol products can really make pores smaller.
Can the Clarisonic brush help clean my pores?
The Clarisonic brush will help to exfoliate the skin and that will help a bit, but it will never work as effectively as manual extractions or a salicylic acid serum (like BHA Clarifying Serum) that actually goes directly into the pores to clean out the pore lining. I have some definite opinions about the Clarisonic brush. Read: Is the Clarisonic Brush Harmful or Helpful to the Skin?
Clean pores are essential to keeping the skin looking healthy, so while you do have to put in the effort regularly to keep the pores clean, my expert advice should give good results.
Which products are right for your skin? See our nine skin types and get products recommended.
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