Tips For Keeping your Pores Clean
- Jason Becker, MD
- May 17, 2023
- 5 min read
Your skin may start to look as it did while you were still in high school if you have clogged pores on your face. Nobody wants to suffer from acne, especially as an adult. However, with some information and the proper skincare regimen, you can quickly unclog your pores and help keep them clear.
Malibu MD offers products that can be included in any regimen and support your skin as it performs the function for which it was created, allowing you to look as radiant as possible.
Let's Talk About Your Pores
Especially the problematic pores on your face can point them out. But are you aware of what they are and the reasons behind their abundance? You must understand more about the function of pores before you can learn how to open them.
Pores are simply openings in the skin, to begin with. But they serve a meaningful purpose; they are not merely empty spaces.
The very top of the hair follicle contains visible pores that you can see and even those that you can't. Each hair follicle has its pore, which is where the hair follicle connects to the outside world. In addition, regardless of whether we can see our body hair, we all have pores.
In the human body, there are over 5 million different types of hair follicles. This makes the small number of larger-than-desired ones seem less problematic.
We don't merely have pores to let hair poke through the skin's outer layer. Sebum, the body's natural oil, can also be secreted from the sebaceous glands attached to the follicle and applied to the skin's surface to help keep it moisturized.
So, in reality, our skin couldn't retain moisture without pores.
As we all know, dry skin can cause itching, stiffness, discomfort, and premature aging issues, including fine lines and wrinkles. 🌵
What Causes Clogged Pores?
Excess sebum, dead skin cells, pollutants, cosmetic residue, bacteria, and other environmental detritus, including dirt and grime, all generally contribute to clogged pores.
Pores can unclog themselves with some physical assistance under normal conditions and with a consistent skincare regimen.
However, the buildup of junk on or around the pores might get impacted if you are careless with your self-care. When all that debris can enter your pores, and you're producing more sebum than is healthy, it keeps the waste inside and provides it time to spread infection.
You might have a variety of breakouts, including blackheads and whiteheads, as well as other problems like clogged pores, sebaceous filaments, papules, and pustules.
Finally, blocked pores result in skin that may cause you to feel self-conscious.
What other problems might affect pores?
Pores can clog up and cause damage, but they can also look more prominent and stick out more.
The same things that might clog pores can also give the impression of larger pores, even though some are due to basic genetics.
The natural elastin and collagen start to degrade more quickly with each passing year, which is another effect of aging.
Additionally, the body can warn you through the pores if its moisture barrier is disrupted.
Because of the way the pores appear to resemble an orange peel, dermatologists call this "orange peel skin." If that applies to your skin, it's time to stand back and concentrate on boosting its hydration level.
Until it can cure itself, you should refrain from using any skincare products besides a soft cleanser and a moisturizing cream.
How to Clean the Pores
What can you do if you've observed that your pores are clogging up or becoming more noticeable than you'd like? Taking a hard look at your skincare regimen is the first step.
Don't have a Skin Routine? The moment is now! Get Started >
It is the secret to preventing premature aging and maintaining clean, open pores. It doesn't matter if you're young or elderly; everyone can gain from a good routine.
At the absolute least, a skincare program should comprise a moisturizer and a cleanser for your particular skin type. Discover more here about establishing a new skincare routine.
As long as we're talking about skincare products, you should use a salicylic acid toner if you frequently get pimples or have clogged pores.
This product can be helpful for those who struggle with excessive oil. Lower concentrations, typically no more than 10%, are available over the counter. For a more robust product, see your dermatologist as well.
The chemical exfoliating method is how salicylic acid toner functions. It penetrates your pores profoundly and aids in breaking down the connections that naturally develop between dead skin cells and the dead skin cells. It can also promote a faster rate of skin cell turnover by breaking up that extra sebum, an oil-soluble member of the BHA (beta hydroxy acid) family of acids.
With less concern over how to clear your pores and more time just to be yourself, the outcome is the skin you can be proud of.
Retinols and retinoids are also advantageous because they speed up the skin's cell renewal. In some more severe circumstances, it may be beneficial to have a chemical peel performed or to visit a dermatologist for the extraction.
How To Avoid Clogging Pores
Squeezing or picking at your skin is the worst thing you can do to unclog pores, regardless of how bothersome and unattractive they may be.
Your first thought when you have a pimple, especially one with a conspicuous "head," is how quickly you can get rid of it. And "popping" turns out to be the best option. Despite how rewarding this may be right away, it can also result in more severe, long-term problems.
Consider touching an open wound on your face, which is what a blemish is by definition (especially after you've stretched it open). If you feel the region, there is a significantly greater likelihood that you will introduce the bacteria naturally present on your fingertips. That might indicate an infection, which would provide a more significant issue.
Additionally, the area may get scarred, which can be unpleasant and cause swelling. The same holds for employing tools, so resist the urge to "help it along" and let your acne alone or treat it with the appropriate skincare products.
Decongestion Prevention
Establishing a skincare routine that supports your skin and addresses your particular difficulties is the most crucial thing you can do for your skin, whether you have blocked pores or not.
Ensure you wash your skin twice a day once you've discovered valuable goods. If you use makeup or spend time outside, your morning and evening washing regimens are essential because these factors can increase your risk of having clogged pores.
In addition to removing excess sebum, cleansing the face prepares the path for other skincare products to get deeper inside your pores. If you can, wash your face with water after working out or sweating.
However, avoid over-washing your face since this can cause dryness, which can cause the skin to produce more oil.
Salicylic acid toners are a fantastic remedy for anyone who struggles with oily skin and clogged pores, as we previously highlighted. They can help keep your sebum production closer to the usual range, though you may need to ease into using them as they irritate sensitive skin.
Using face masks is also advantageous if you carefully examine the list of ingredients. In particular, clay masks can aid in absorbing extra oil before it becomes a problem.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Whatever your skincare regimen entails, it is essential to follow it consistently. To maintain your skin looking its best, consistency is critical.
In conclusion, you can unclog your pores and show your best skin using the information you've learned in this post, along with a little trial and error.
Your go-to skincare provider, Malibu MD, keeps your skin firm, vibrant, and young-looking.
While we can't completely shield our faces from the effects of the outside world, we can make our pores function correctly. And don't we all have more pressing issues to consider?
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