How to Unclog Your Pores and Keep Them Clear

When pores get clogged with dirt and oil, you get acne. Whiteheads mean the pore opening is clogged; blackheads mean the clog is further down, making your pores wider. If the clog causes swelling and pain deep in the skin, it is called cystic acne.¹

Cleaning and moisturizing your skin regularly helps prevent clogged pores, but you must use the right tools to unclog pores and keep them clear.

Use a pH-balanced Cleanser Daily

Your skin’s pH measures its acidity and keeping your pH balance is important to your skin’s health. Your skin pH is influenced by genetics, age, or skin conditions, as well as cosmetics, cleansers, and detergents. 

Acidic skin’s pH is below 7, neutral skin’s pH is 7, and basic skin’s pH is above 7. The right pH for skin is 5.5, allowing for a bit of acidity to promote the health production of natural oils and protection against bad bacteria.⁷

Using a balanced-pH cleanser twice a day and after sweating is an important step in keeping your skin healthy.⁵ If your skin is dry or flaky, irritated, or sensitive, your pH may be too acidic or basic. When choosing a cleanser to restore your pH balance, pay attention to how your skin reacts to it. If you see improvement, allow time for your skin to fully rebalance.⁷ 

Exfoliate Regularly

Depending on your skin type, you can exfoliate once or twice a week to unblock pores.⁸ While exfoliation can be done mechanically, by brushing or scrubbing your skin, this method may be too harsh if you have sensitive or dry skin. Chemical exfoliants dissolve the oil and dead skin clogging your pores. If you choose this method, make sure the active ingredient doesn’t irritate your skin by testing it on a small patch of skin first.

No matter which type of exfoliator you use, make sure to moisturize your skin afterward.

Azelaic acid is a dermatologist-approved ingredient to exfoliate and help unclog pores. Foundation Skincare’s Azelaic Acid 14% Cream is gentle enough to be used every day, even with sensitive skin, and can be easily layered with other skincare products, like our Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, which is the perfect post-exfoliation moisturizer. With regular use you will see that your skin’s brightness and texture is also improved. 

Apply a Clay or Charcoal Mask

A clay or charcoal mask can be used to remove dirt, pollutants, and other toxins that clog pores. They are believed to improve your complexion, prevent acne, increase collagen, and help wounds heal.⁴ 

Choose a mask that is right for your skin type. 

A kaolin or china clay mask is gentle and works well with sensitive skin while a bentonite clay mask works well with oily skin.⁹

If using a charcoal mask, make sure it is created with activated charcoal, which is developed to trap toxins, draw out impurities, and clear pores. If you have oily skin, look for an activated charcoal mask that also has clay as an ingredient. Dry skin benefits from a mask combined with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, olive oil, or jojoba oil. Sensitive skin should avoid ingredients like fragrances, dyes, and parabens. If you have combination skin, use the mask only on the oilier T-zone to avoid irritation.¹⁰

Rinse your face before using the mask, then leave the mask on for 5-10 minutes before peeling it off or rinsing it off with water. Afterwards, wash with a gentle cleanser and use a non comedogenic moisturizer.⁴

Use Products with Retinol

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that is used to treat acne and in anti-aging products. Used over time, it improves collagen levels and increases skin cell production, strengthening the walls of your pores and keeping them from becoming clogged. 

When you use retinol, start slowly, using only once every few days. Retinol can irritate sensitive skin, causing dryness, itching, burning, or flaking.12 Choose a product that combines the renewing power of retinol with a hydrating cream like Foundation Skincare’s Night Renewal Cream. 

Retinol can make you more sensitive to the sun so use sunscreen regularly.  If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before you use it.

Try Double Cleansing

Double cleansing is best for people with oily skin or who wear heavy makeup. While there is no scientific evidence, people report brighter, cleaner-feeling skin and fewer breakouts. 

It involves washing your face twice at one time. The first wash uses an oil-based product to remove makeup or sunscreen. The second wash is with a water-based product that gently cleans skin.¹³ Double cleansing can be done in the morning or evening, but should only be done once a day.¹⁴

First, gently massage the oil-based cleanser in. Use a washcloth or hands rinse with lukewarm water. Don’t dry before using the water-based cleanser. Rinse after the second wash and pat dry.¹³ 

Pick a water-based cleanser based on your skin type. If you have dry, sensitive, or normal skin, use a gentle, unscented, cream cleanser. Oily or acne prone skin benefits from a foaming cleanser with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or benzoyl peroxide. Gentle foaming cleansers work best for combination skin.¹³

Double cleansing isn’t for everyone so if you don’t see benefits, stop doing it. Overwashing can result in dryness, irritation, and a breakdown of the skin barrier that can result in more breakouts.¹⁴

It’s important to moisturize after double cleansing. Choose a moisturizer like Foundation Skincare’s NIacinamide Lotion 10%, which is formulated with ceramides to help repair sun damage and reduce redness and inflammation.

Remove All Makeup Before Bed

Makeup is one of the most common reasons pores get clogged.  It is essential that you remove makeup before you go to bed because the protective barrier that works to keep dirt and oil from clogging your skin is repaired at night while you sleep.¹⁵ 

The chemicals in makeup can also cause acne breakouts, especially if you have a skin condition. Avoid using makeup removal wipes or scrubbing skin, which can irritate skin. Use a gentle cleanser and exfoliator. Avoid products that contain alcohol and fragrance. Don’t forget to moisturize after washing.¹⁵

No matter how you choose to keep your pores clear, Foundation Skincare has a suite of proudcts designed by dermatologists and chemists to work together to keep your skin healthy and reduce irritation and breakouts.

---

References:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22773-clogged-pores

2. https://www.aad.org/news/updated-guidelines-acne-management

3. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/skin-care/habits-stop

4. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-unclog-pores

5. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/skin-care/tips

6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5605222/

7. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-skin-ph

8. https://www.healthline.com/health/whats-so-important-about-skin-ph

9. https://www.verywellhealth.com/clay-mask-5089225

10. https://www.health.com/beauty/charcoal-face-mask-peel-safe-for-skin

11. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/charcoal-mask-benefits

12. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23293-retinol

13. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/double-cleansing-explained

14. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/double-cleansing

15. https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-skin/why-you-should-never-wear-makeup-to-bed-and-how-to-remove-it-properly/