Do you know those breakouts that always irritate you? Yes, those that don’t ever seem to disappear no matter what you try. Those are clogged pores and they’re responsible for your awful-looking skin.
If it makes you feel any better, you are not alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, 50 million Americans get affected by acne and clogged pores each year.
So, instead of using harsh scrubs or even giving up on them, the MenGlowUp crew has all the useful information you need to get rid of them.
We held interviews with dermatologists and beauty experts who shed some useful insights on what clogged pores are and how to deal with them. Your clogged pores shouldn’t be the beginning of your skin woes.
What Causes Clogged Pores?
Clogged pores occur when dead skin cells get trapped in your skin instead of getting excreted into the environment.
You see, your facial glands produce a substance known as sebum whose responsibility is to coat the skin and seal in moisture.
Sometimes, these sebum and dead skin cells get trapped inside a pore preventing the skin from hydrating itself. The result is a clogged pore. Clogged pores lead to acne when they get inflamed.
While sebum and dead skin cells are primarily responsible for clogged pores, other factors play a role in their existence:
- Pollution – when the dirt, fumes, and grimes in the air come into contact with your skin, the result is pimples, acne, and clogged pores. This is even worse when you have makeup on.
- Comedogenic products – substances that are potential causes of acne and pimples are known as comedogenic. Many skincare products such as sunscreen, lotions, and makeup are comedogenic.
- Sebum production – the level of sebum production differs in different people. The more sebum you produce, the more likely you are to have visible pores.
- Ethnicity – While it might sound queer, your ethnic background might be playing a role in your clogged pores. People of different ethnic groups have pores of different sizes that determine the size of the clogged pore.
How Do You Clear Clogged Pores?
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda exfoliates the skin, thereby unclogging it of impurities, pesky dirt, and dead skin cells.
What You Need
- 2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon water
What To Do
- Mix the baking soda and water thoroughly so that you obtain a smooth paste.
- Apply the paste over your clogged pores.
- Allow it 5 minutes to dry then rinse with lukewarm water.
2. Steaming
There is no cheaper and quicker method to unclog your pores than through steaming. This method traps impurities and washes them via steaming.
What You Need
- Water
- Source of heat
- Toner
- Moisturizer
- Towel
What To Do
- Heat water on a gas stove. Don’t take it out until it is very hot (lots of steam).
- Now change the water to a container.
- Cover your head with a towel over the steaming water.
- Allow the steam to soak your face for a couple of minutes.
- Dry your face then apply a toner, then moisturizer.
Pro Tip: Repeat this procedure twice a week for maximum results. Don’t splash hot water on your face as this can burn your skin.
3. Egg Mask
Egg whites are naturally gifted with complexion-enhancing and skin-toning properties. They also reduce the size of skin pores as well as shielding the skin from impurities.
How do you use them?
What You Need
- Egg (preferably the egg-white)
- Lemon Juice (juice from half a lemon)
What To Do
- Whip the egg till you obtain a foamy texture.
- Refrigerate it for 5 minutes.
- Now mix it with lemon juice.
- Apply the mixture to the affected areas.
- Allow it 10 minutes to dry then rinse with warm water.
4. Sugar Scrub
We love sugar because it’s sweet. But there are more to its benefits. Sugar is an excellent exfoliating agent that helps to unclog skin pores.
What You Need
- Sugar
- Water
- Lemon
What To Do
- Crush the sugar into powder form.
- Squeeze half of the lemon and make from it. Add the sugar powder.
- Massage it on the clogged pores.
- Rinse with water then apply moisturizer.
5. Dry Brushing
Facial brushes are designed to loosen up clogged pores. Using them is effortless.
What You Need
- Facial brush
What To Do
- Wash your face and dry it completely.
- Brush your face using the facial brush in circular motions. Be cautious when brushing the skin around your eyes.
- Once you’re done, wash your face with cold water.
- Finalize by applying a moisturizer.
Pro Tip: If you are not comfortable with dry brushing, you can alternatively use a facial scrub. This will exfoliate your skin and also unclog any present pores.
6. Honey
Honey is useful in three ways: it reduces excess oil build-up on the skin, it tightens the skin pores and finally, it keeps the skin hydrated.
What You Need
- Water
- Raw honey
What To Do
- Apply a few drops of the raw honey to the affected area.
- Massage it for a few minutes.
- Rinse it with lukewarm water.
Pro Tip: Repeat this procedure two to three times a week for best results.
7. Fuller’s Earth
If your skin is oily, this remedy will benefit you most. Fuller’s earth does not only unclog pores on the skin but it also excretes excess oil.
What You Need
- Fuller’s Earth
- Oatmeal
- Water
What To Do
- Mix all the ingredients, 1 tablespoon of each.
- Apply the mixture to the affected area.
- Leave it for a few minutes then rinse with water. Repeat this once a week.
8. Parsley
Parsley is a natural astringent. Therefore, it will easily clear the skin of toxins that are responsible for clogged pores.
What You Need
- Parsley leaves
- A piece of cloth
- Boiled water
What To Do
- Wash the parsley leaves.
- Have boiling water in a bowl and let it cool for some time.
9. Lemon
Lemon contains citric acid, which is a great exfoliator. Citric acid clears the skin of dirt as well as clogging it.
What You Need
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Warm water
What To Do
- Apply lemon juice on the affected area using a cotton ball.
- Rub it gently for roughly 5 minutes.
- Rinse it using lukewarm water. You’re good to go!
10. Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is one of the ingredients used to make clay masks. But did you know you can create your natural remedy and get even better results?
What You Need
- 1 tablespoon oatmeal
- 1 tablespoon Bentonite clay
- Water
What To Do
- Combine all the ingredients and create a paste.
- Now apply the mask on your face, concentrating on the affected areas.
- Allow 10 to 15 minutes for it to dry before washing it off with water.
- Pat your face dry then apply moisturizer.
11. Raw Papaya
Papaya contains an enzyme-rich in skin-cleansing properties. It helps to clear and clean clogged pores.
But that’s not all; papaya is also an exfoliating agent that removes dead skin cells and paves way for unclogged, healthy pores.
What You Need
- Raw papaya fruit
What To Do
- Using a knife, peel the papaya.
- Rub the fruit on the affected area for a couple of minutes.
- Wash your face with lukewarm water. This helps to clear off all impurities easily.
12. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is very similar to human sebum; a reason why it helps to reduce sebum production. Its performance in unclogging pores is excellent.
What You Need
- Essential Jojoba Oil
What To Do
Simply apply the essential jojoba oil to the affected areas and leave the rest to it.
Pro Tip: Apply jojoba oil daily for maximum benefits. Do not mix it with other oils. Just a little thin layer of the oil is enough.
13. Oatmeal
Oatmeal works in two ways. One, it cleanses the pores from deep within. And secondly, it absorbs excess oil.
What You Need
- ½ cup of cooked oatmeal
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
What To Do
- Mix the ingredients in a bowl.
- Apply it to your clogged pores.
- Leave it for 15 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water.
Pro Tip: Repeat the procedure two to three times a week for maximum benefits.
14. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an excellent antibacterial agent which protects the skin from clogging and infections.
What You Need
- 2 tablespoon cinnamon powder
- 3 tablespoon honey
What To Do
- Mix the ingredients in a small container.
- Apply the paste on your clogged pores gently.
- Allow it 20 minutes to dry then rinse off with warm water.
Pro Tip: For pores on the chin and forehead, repeat the procedure twice a week for full benefits.
15. Avocado Oil
Avocado is rich in sterolin. This gives it the ability to fight inflammations, skin blemishes, and eczema.
What You Need
- A few drops of avocado oil
What To Do
- Begin by washing your face. Clean all grease and oil residues present.
- Apply the avocado oil on the clogged pores using a cotton swab.
- Repeat the procedure daily for full benefits.
16. Almond and Sugar Scrub
The rich nutrients present in almond combined with the healing properties of sugar form a perfect remedy for unclogging pores.
What You Need
- Almond
- Sugar
- Water
What To Do
- Mix all the ingredients to form a thick solid paste.
- Apply the paste regularly on your face, focusing more on the affected areas.
- Allow it a few minutes then rinse with cold water.
17. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera removes particles trapped inside the skin’s pores. Opening up of these pores results in unclogging them.
What You Need
- Aloe Vera gel
What To Do
- Wash your face of all dirt.
- Apply the Aloe Vera gel to your face.
- Allow it for 20 minutes then rinse with cold water.
18. Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil is a natural cleanser and moisturizer. Its rise in popularity is attributed to the fact that it is safe for acne-prone skin. How do you use it to unclog pores?
What You Need
- Hemp seed oil
- Water
What To Do
- Begin by washing your face.
- Rub some hemp seed oil on your palm and apply it to your face.
- Continue rubbing it for about one minute.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
Pro Tip: Repeat the procedure once or twice a week for maximum benefits.
Other Skincare Tips
On top of the above remedies, here are other skincare tips to prevent further infections.
- Avoid touching the affected area.
- Avoid skincare products with irritants such as dyes and fragrances.
- Keep long hair pulled back, away from the skin.
- Shower or bath regularly.
- Remove any makeup and wash your face before bed.
- Wash your skin thoroughly when you’re in humid places.
- Don’t use hair products on the skin.
- Use oil-free, non-comedogenic cosmetics, and skincare products.
If Symptoms Persist
Even after intensive treatment and your clogged pores still remain intact, it may be time to see a dermatologist. Your doctor will examine your skin and recommend the best treatment depending on your skin type.
Some of the techniques doctors use to treat clogged pores include:
- Hyaluronic acid treatment. Hyaluronic acid helps to reduce the size of pores but comes with a few side effects.
- Microdermabrasion. Here, the doctor exfoliates physically using a crystal or diamond-tipped tool. The process helps to improve uneven skin texture.
- The doctor may also use chemical skin peels to treat rough or dull skin.
- Lastly, the doctor may use special tools to safely extract sebum that is responsible for whiteheads and blackheads.
Conclusion
You have all information at your fingertips. Clogged pores should, therefore, not pose any more problems.
Nothing should stand in the way of you and smooth skin. You have every right to wake up in the morning, look at the mirror, and get contented with what you see.
Which method do you think is the most effective? Happy Unclogging!
