To completely empty pores, use gentle chemical exfoliants (like salicylic or glycolic acid) and clay masks to draw out debris, cleanse twice daily with non-comedogenic products, consider retinol for deep cleaning, use steam to open pores, and avoid harsh scrubbing or sleeping in makeup to prevent future clogs. Consistency with a proper skincare routine is key, and for stubborn issues, consult a dermatologist for professional treatments.
Here's what dermatologists recommend.
Regular cleansing with non-comedogenic skin care products usually resolves clogged pores. Some people need special skin ointments that contain retinol or salicylic acid.
This is the Great Pore Deep Clean!
Your pores may be clogging especially if you aren't washing your face often or well enough. You should be washing your face and neck twice a day. If you are cleansing twice a day but still getting clogged pores, then the cleanser you are using may not be right for your skin.
Vitamin A deficiency is a common cause of open pores on the skin. Vitamin A plays an important role in promoting cell turnover, which helps keep your pores clear and free from debris. When you don't get enough vitamin A, it can lead to clogged and enlarged pores that are difficult to treat.
The 4-2-4 rule is a Korean-inspired deep cleansing method: massage an oil cleanser for 4 minutes to break down makeup/SPF, follow with a water-based cleanser for 2 minutes to remove residue, then rinse with 2 minutes of warm water and 2 minutes of cold water to open and close pores, leaving skin deeply clean but can be irritating for sensitive types, so it's best for deep cleaning or heavy makeup days, not daily.
Surprise! They're not blackheads. Yes, they look like tiny flat blackheads—but they're not. They're sebaceous filaments.
And while they're not 100% necessary (listen to your skin!), "clay or charcoal masks can further absorb excess oil and draw out impurities," Dr. Turegano says, recommending such one or twice a week.
Poor skin maintenance: If you spend too much time in the sun or wash your skin too much, you can dry out your skin. Your sebaceous glands then work harder to produce more sebum and rehydrate your skin, which may cause them to look larger.
The Fiddy method is a special cleansing method inspired by Korean skin care routines that provides deep pore cleansing . It offers effective results especially for those who have blackheads, oil buttons and clogged pore problems.
Why do Blackheads Smell? The smell is caused by the oil produced on the skin. Why do Blackheads return so fast? The skin is constantly producing oil, especially on the face.
Symptoms of Clogged Pores
You've probably heard that squeezing or picking at a pimple is not a great idea, and the same goes for sebum plugs. By squeezing, you can push the contents deeper into the skin or break the pimple open, which allows the bacteria inside the pimple to spread and any bacteria on your hands to enter the pore.
Do upkeep a regular K-Beauty skin care routine: Maintaining a consistent Korean skin care routine is key to preventing blackheads and reducing the appearance of sebaceous filaments. Regular cleansing, gentle exfoliation and using non-comedogenic products help keep pores clear and minimize the need for extractions.
A noticeable sebaceous filament may look like a dark dot on the skin. The dot may resemble the head of a pin and be yellow, gray, or clear. A blackhead is a very dark plug at the top of a pore. Its dark color develops when the plug is oxidized by contact with the air.
The "1 rule" in skincare often refers to the "1% line" on ingredient lists, meaning anything listed after it is used at 1% or less (like preservatives or fragrances). However, the most crucial skincare practice is daily sunscreen, while the best routine principle is applying products from thinnest to thickest consistency (like cleanser > serum > moisturizer > SPF) for proper absorption, with consistency and a simple, solid base being more important than complex products.
To quote Roberts-Smith, “All the 60 second rule is: washing your face — with your fingers — for 60 seconds. That's it!” Supposedly, most people only wash their face for about 15 seconds. The 60 second rule is a skincare hack that prolongs cleansing so you're sure to wash every single part of your face.
How to wash your face step by step?
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
What Does Vitamin B12 Acne Look Like? Vitamin B12 acne is included in a subset known as “inflammatory acne.” These include pustules (the white-capped, pus-filled ones), cysts and nodules (the hard, deep ones), and papules (similar to cysts, but not as large).
Pore strips can typically only be applied to a small area of your face (usually your nose), so they're generally not an effective tool for eliminating blackheads all over your skin. While they may help in the short term, blackheads can easily return after using a pore strip, so they're not a long-term solution.