Looking to clear clogged pores? Surprisingly, the process isn’t as complicated as you might think. Keep reading as we clarify (pun intended) how to unclog pores and the best skincare products for clogged pores.
At this very moment, your skin is hard at work. It interacts with pollution, sweat, makeup, and bacteria daily. Even when we are taking the time to care for our skin, our surrounding environment can rest heavy on our faces, resulting in clogged pores. This frustrating experience can leave you feeling defeated—but worry not. There are proven tips and products that help target clogged pores. Here is everything you need to know about how to unclog pores.
Clogged Pores 101
Pores are the small openings on the top layer of your skin that release sweat and oil, and they tend to be most visible on the oiliest areas of your face, like your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). Clogged pores can occur for several reasons. One of the most common is the natural renewal process of generating new skin cells. This can lead dead skin cells to become trapped on the surface of your skin, leading to not only an excess of dead skin cells but also an increase and buildup of oil production, dirt, and makeup. Soon, pores can become clogged.
Clogged pores can also be caused by a variety of other factors including bacteria, sweat, hormones, irritating makeup, or incorrect skincare products. Genetics is also a major factor, leading you to have skin that is more prone to excessive oil and sebum, which in turn might cause clogged pores if not regularly exfoliated with the right exfoliator for your skin’s needs. While there is nothing unsightly about clogged pores, and treating them is a personal preference, clogged pores can lead to other occurrences when left to their own devices. These dead skin cells, dirt, debris, and sebum can clog pores, which can result in the appearance of enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes.
How do you know if you have clogged pores? The pores themselves tend to become enlarged and appear more visible. Additionally, you might see a buildup of dryness around the skin, as well as blackheads and blemishes. Overall, skin may also appear rough or dull looking. If any of these qualities fit your skin, you might have clogged pores.
How To Unclog Pores
The most effective way to care for clogged pores is to ensure that you are removing dead skin cells, debris, and other impurities, which is done by properly cleansing and exfoliating the skin. Here are the three most vital steps to treating clogged pores.
Step 1 to Unclog Pores: Remove Makeup
Removing your makeup at the end of the day is an important step that helps prevent pores from becoming clogged overnight, ensuring that you truly get your beauty sleep (although it helps to choose makeup for oily skin that won’t clog pores to begin with). Incorporating a cleansing oil into your nightly ritual as the first step in your skincare routine is vital. Cleansing oils easily dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and other oils while leaving skin feeling supple and smooth. Generously massaging a cleansing oil into the face, targeting areas where clogged pores are present has gone viral on social media recently, with dermatologists and video creators showcasing how well an oil cleanser can help draw out debris. This technique is also the first step in a double-cleansing routine, also known as the Kyoto Cleanse in Japan, which is proven to more effectively cleanse the skin.
Step 2 to Unclog Pores: Cleanse
Giving your skin a clean, fresh canvas is the most ideal way to prepare it for the rest of your skincare ritual, and is an imperative step in your clogged-pore-fighting skincare routine both morning and night. Properly cleansing with a pore-purifying cleanser allows you to wash away impurities, restore balance, and condition the skin. While the majority of us probably cleanse daily, many aren’t following the most ideal techniques to ensure skin is thoroughly washed. First, use the most ideal cleanser for your skin type. For example, oily skin will likely thrive with a more targeted and clarifying cleanser, while dry skin may treasure a hydrating and nourishing wash. Second, ensure you're taking the time to actually cleanse the skin—ideally 30 to 60 seconds. This ensures every inch of the face gets a gentle massage and debris is targeted. Rather than looking at this as a task, reframe the cleanse as a moment of self-care and reflection, with 30 to 60 seconds to check in and reflect on the day.
Step 3 to Unclog Pores: Exfoliate
Proper exfoliation is one of the most overlooked yet important steps in your skincare routine when addressing clogged pores. The process of exfoliation removes dead skin cells and impurities from the outermost layer of your skin’s surface, which is vital, but it also helps the rest of your skincare products achieve their maximum potential. You can utilize either a chemical exfoliant or a physical exfoliant—both are great at unclogging pores.
While it may seem tempting to apply the strongest percentage exfoliant or most aggressive mechanical scrub to counteract buildup, this vigorous approach is likely to disturb your skin barrier, leading to not only further clogged pores but also sensitized skin. It’s best to take the gentle approach to exfoliation, ensuring the formula isn’t too intense, and start exfoliating a few times a week at first to give skin an adjustment period.
The Best Skincare to Unclog Pores
While many products zero in on claims to be ‘skincare for clogged pores’, the process doesn’t have to include targeted and complicated treatments. Many of your daily products likely can help minimize and address the appearance of clogged pores, the key is to utilize them correctly. Here are the most effective and best skincare products for clogged pores.
Best Makeup Remover For Clogged Pores
The Camellia Cleansing Oil
2-in-1 Makeup Remover & Cleanser
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The first step in your double-cleansing skincare routine is a cleansing oil. The key to using a cleansing oil correctly is to apply it with dry (clean!) hands onto a dry face. Massage the oil into skin with soft circular motions, then add a few drops of water and continue to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and the day away. Our favorite cleansing oil is The Camellia Cleansing Oil, which gently melts away impurities, leaving behind pure, silky-soft skin. The oil will emulsify into a creamy milk, melting away all debris and stubborn woes (even waterproof makeup) effortlessly. Importantly, the Camellia Cleansing Oil doesn’t strip the skin of its natural moisture, a key feature when treating clogged pores—gentle is more effective than harsh when it comes to skincare. This cleansing oil is also one of the best products for clogged pores with sensitive skin—a tricky issue for many as most formulas rely on harsh, intense ingredients that trigger sensitive skin.
Best Cleanser For Clogged Pores
Cleansing is one of the most important aspects of your daily skincare ritual and this is especially true for those wanting to unclog pores. Our new Matcha Cleanse is perfect for you, it’s specially formulated to target clogged pores. The fragrance- and soap-free gel cleanser decongests pores and balances the skin, without intense formulations. Instead, the cleanser harnesses kind-to-skin powerhouse ingredients (including Japanese Kyo-Matcha, coix seed, and willow bark) that target pores, control shine, reduce excess oil (immediately and over time), and maintain the skin’s moisture barrier. The Matcha Cleanse proves unclogging pores doesn’t have to be harsh or complicated.
Best Exfoliant For Clogged Pores
At Tatcha, our exfoliators are formulated to ensure they’re effective, but never harmful to your skin barrier, meaning you can utilize either our liquid or physical exfoliants without irritation.
If you prefer physical exfoliation, try our award-winning Rice Polish. The unique formula is a water-activated exfoliant, giving your skin a new beginning through Japanese ingredients that transform into a creamy, cloud-like foam. The non-abrasive formula of The Rice Polish makes it safe to use daily. Finely ground rice bran and papaya enzymes promote natural skin turnover—aka help unclog pores—while the pH-neutral, amino acid-base formula provides effective cleansing without stripping skin of essential moisture or damaging the skin barrier, leaving skin baby soft and supple. If you’d like a deeper exfoliation, try The Rice Polish: Deep, which features wild rose to help tighten the look of pores and clarify skin.
If you enjoy a liquid exfoliant, you’ll love The Texture Tonic. The liquid exfoliating treatment has AHAs to address dead skin cells and clogged pores, as well as niacinamide, Japanese mugwort, and wild rose to visibly even skin tone and texture—without stripping skin’s essential moisture.
Addressing clogged pores can feel like an uphill battle. However, taking the time to care for your skin properly is not only an act of self-care (whose effects are long-lasting both mentally and physically) but also allows you to treat each pore on your face with the utmost respect. You’ll likely find when you take the time to be mindful and intentional about your skin, it’ll respond by looking its best, one unclogged pore at a time.