Taking care of your skin is very important but there is more to just cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin. A few extra steps are exfoliating and deep cleansing your skin. One way of deep cleansing your skin is by unclogging your pores. But first, what causes clogged pores? Clogged pores are the result of dead skin cells getting trapped in your skin instead of being shed into the environment. Pores are tiny openings in the skin that release oil and sweat. When pores are clogged, it can result in blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. You can tell if your pores are clogged if you notice whiteheads, blackheads, or an overall dullness to your skinâs complexion. Environmental factors also contribute to clogged pores. These factors include: toxins in the air, oil from your hands transferred when you are touching your face, and sweat. And of course, there is no way to avoid these factors of having clogged pores so it would be just better to unclog your pores with these methods below:
Using pore strips. Pore strips, such as Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, are made with an adhesive. The strips come in different shapes and sizes depending on the part of the face you want to apply them to. They can be used to remove: hair, bacteria, oil, dead skin, anything left on the surface of the skin. How To use a pore strip: wet the sticky strip and apply it to your face, leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, slowly peel away from your skin, rinse the area with warm water to remove any residue left behind by the strip. Little scientific research exists about the benefits or dangers of pore strips. Some dermatologists caution that they arenât actually deeply cleansing the skin and that they have the potential to remove important natural oils. Also, they can cause irritation and may not remove blackheads. Avoid pore strips if you have skin allergies or sensitive skin. If you use these strips, be sure to follow all package directions. Itâs important to wet skin before use. Also, only use them once a week at most and cleanse your skin after.
Pores being extracted. During a facial treatment, a skincare specialist or dermatologist may offer skin extractions. Using a metal extractor tool or their hands, they manually apply pressure around clogged pores. This extracts the content of blackheads. Extraction can also be performed on pimples, if the specialist thinks they can be unclogged. After the extraction, the specialist applies an antibacterial or antiseptic to bring the skin back to its natural pH and prevent breakouts. They may also apply soothing masks or other treatments. Itâs important to leave extractions to a skincare professional. âPoppingâ breakouts on your skin at home can actually damage pores and lead to more breakouts. If youâre interested in facial extractions, try professional treatments once a month for best results.
Putting on charcoal mask. Activated charcoal is a trendy skincare ingredient. It can now be found in facial and body cleansers, scrubs, and masks. As an ingredient in a skincare product, activated charcoal may offer benefits like removing dirt, pollution, and toxins from pores. More research is needed to verify its efficacy. Directions for activated charcoal masks vary depending on the specific product. For most masks, youâll need to rinse your face before using and then leave the mask on for 5 to 10 minutes before removing it. Some masks harden and can be pulled off. Others need to be rinsed off with water. Dermatologists caution against using a popular DIY facemask thatâs circulating online. Itâs a homemade mask made from charcoal powder and glue thatâs applied and peeled off. This combination can be dangerous. You can remove the important surface area of your skin, leaving skin dry and damaged. Worse, it may actually clog pores instead of unclogging them. Instead of using a DIY mask, purchase an activated charcoal mask online or at your local drug or beauty supply store. You can also ask your dermatologist for a safe skincare alternative.
Using salicylic acid. To get the gunk out of your pores, you need the best gunk buster aroundâsalicylic acid. "Gentile exfoliating cleansers of the salicylic acid variant are great because salicylic acid is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that cuts through sebum and breaks it down," says Dr. Gohara. If using a cleanser, leave it on a little longer than you normally would before rinsing to give it some extra time to work its magic.