After I delivered my son, my face was always looking dull you know a very obvious story for almost every new mom. Also, I needed a boost, some kind of energy that gives back the pregnancy glow. However, uneven skin tone and the pigmentation was sitting just right there. In addition to this, what perturbed me the most was the large clogged pores which could help our government for all possible rain water harvesting. Yes, these pores were big, and more the sunlight or natural light the bigger they looked ☹ . And from here starts my journey to get rid of large clogged pores.
What causes large clogged pores?
Well large clogged pores can be the result of acne prone, oily skin, dry skin, aging and also, when we use non-comedogenic makeup. Also, be aware that sun damage skin can also cause open pores. Pores are tiny openings on the skin and they became enlarged due to excessive sebum, a condition when a person’s sebaceous gland produces a lot of oil and thus leading to oily skin.
So, what can you do to minimise large clogged pores?
1. Cleanse your face
Always invest in a face wash or a cleanser that is designed for your skin type. Accordingly, for oily skin gel-based cleansers are best and for dry skin a creamy cleanser will do the job correctly of removing the oil, dirt, grime without stripping off the moisture from the face.
Hence, here are some of the following cleansers worth a try:
- Sebamed foam cleanser
- Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser
2. Exfoliate with AHAs or BHAs
I have sensitive, oily, acne prone, textured skin. Of course, with visible pores and after using AHAS (Alpha-hydroxy acids ) / BHAS my skin is improving and the size of pores look minimised. All thanks to COSRX Aha Bha.
Furthermore, exfoliation can help removed the dead skin cells and dead flaky skin from the large clogged pores. AHAs can brighten your complexion, prevent acne and increase product absorption as well. BHAS (beta hydroxy acid) exfoliate the surface of the skin and helps to make the skin look smoother and soft. In addition to this, BHAs are effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Masking the right way with Face masks
Face masks help in minimising and unclogging the pores. An effective way to tend to your pores is masking. Masking just twice a week will make such a huge difference. General rule of thumb, clay and charcoal masks help minimise those pesky pores. Below are few good options:
- Kielhl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
- Dot & Key Pore Decongesting Charcoal Mousse
- Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
4. Moisturising the face is the key
Yes, you read that right. No matter what your skin type, you should moisturise your face well. Oily skin needs to moisturise as the water-based moisturisers will keep the face well hydrated and there will be no automatic oil production. On dry skin the moisturisers help hydrate and condition the skin well.
When it comes to large clogged pores, the key is to choose a light, water-based moisturizer for oily skin. Consider the following options:
- Sebamed Moisturising Cream Ph5.5
- Cetaphil Moisturising Cream
- Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture
- Clinique Moisture Surge
5. Wear Sunscreen to cure large unclogged pores
UV rays are not just bad for skin but harmful in ways we don’t even think in a day to day life. For instance, every skin type can get sun burn and so to prevent the UV damage, wearing a sunscreen every day is a must.
I wear sunscreen during the day and therefore here are few options for oily skin people:
6. Be mindful of your makeup products.
I have experienced such a difference since the day I started using products designed for my oily sensitive acne prone skin. I only invest in products that are oil free, alcohol free, water based and non-comedogenic.
In addition to this there are products that really work well on large pores. Primers are one such cosmetic product that helps to minimise the appearance of the pores. Now understand that primers will just work for visual sake and do nothing in curing the pores.
The best primers out there are below:
7. Importance of proper makeup removal & cleansing at Night
We all love to apply makeup. Makeup is an art; it is an expression. I can’t even express how important a Mac Ruby woo Lipstick can make me feel on a dull day! However, going to bed at night without makeup removal is the worst thing you can do to your skin. Be mindful and double clean your face and moisturise well. This reduces the risk of new acne, any redness on skin and also helps skin breathe well at night. When the skin is taken care of, the chances are large clogged pores will minimise with time. And so, we recommend the following:
8. Topical Retinols/Retinoids (See A Dermatologist)
Retinoids and Retinols treat the acne and smoothen the surface on face by exfoliating. It can also help treat the acne scarring. Retinols contain lower concentration of active ingredients and one can get them over the counter.
If you suffer from acne for a long time then seeing a dermatologist is a good bet. They are experienced, specialised in their field and might keep you on Retinoids that can only be procured through a prescription written by a doctor. This is because they have higher percentage of the active ingredients.
Both retinol and prescription retinoids, should be used in your night-time routine, as sunlight deactivates retinoic acid and may also cause severe sunburn.
9. Stop Touching the large unclogged pores & face
Now this is a sure fact that keeping our hands away from the face does help in improving the texture of the face. Touching your face might trigger acne. It can also spread the bacteria and worsen the condition by causing inflammation on skin.
10. Medi Facials & Microdermabrasion for large unclog pores
Medi facials like Hydra facial and Microdermabrasion help in minimising the large clogged pores to a great extent.
And, that is all for today’s post. If in case you suffer from persistent acne or large clogged pores then it is time to see a doctor. In addition to this, a Dermatologist or a skin specialist can help clear your skin better and in the correct way.
