Clogged Pores

This might sound like a hot take, but pores get a bad rap in the beauty world. Sure, we all want our skin to have a nice smooth finish, but pores aren’t your enemy. Pores (and the oil glands within them) give your skin the oil it needs to stay hydrated, strong, and supple. They release sweat from your sweat glands too to keep your body cool. They serve a crucial purpose…but yes, they do get clogged here and there, and that’s a problem. So why do pores get clogged and what can you do about them? Let’s explore.

What Causes Clogged Pores?

A pore is a tiny opening in your skin that has a sebaceous gland (AKA an oil gland) at the bottom. The oil gland produces oil, which travels up the pore to the surface of your skin. But when debris like dead skin cells or particles of dirt get into your pores, they can mingle with the oil and form a clog that blocks the oil from getting out. That’s when you start to see symptoms of clogged pores like inflammation, blackheads, pimples, and large pore openings.

You might be saying, “Isn’t it normal to be shedding dead skin cells and for dirt particles to accumulate on your skin throughout the day? Why do they sometimes clog your pores but not always?”

Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw and where those cells and particles end up. But there are a few things that make clogged pores more likely, such as:

• Dry skin which can cause excess skin cell shedding
• Overactive oil glands, which could be caused by hormones or certain medications
• Certain makeup or skin care products whose particles can get stuck inside pores

Are Clogged Pores and Acne the Same Thing?

Acne and clogged pores are closely related, but they’re not exactly the same thing. Acne is a chronic condition that can have several causes and factors – clogged pores is one factor but bacteria and hormones are too. We all get clogged pores every so often, but if you have them frequently and if they come in waves, it may be acne.

How Do You Get Rid of Clogged Pores?

If you’re tired of dealing with clogged pores, what do you do? There are two sides to treating clogged pores: getting rid of them and preventing new clogs. Let’s talk first about how to get rid of the clogged pores you already have.

Treating clogged pores is all about skin care. Certain products can get into your pores and break up clogs, like products with salicylic acid or retinol. Blackhead removing products like certain skin masks can also help by reaching into your pores and bonding to the debris, pulling it out when you remove them.

Once you’ve got that beautifully smooth and clog-free skin, you want to take preventative steps too. Some risk factors for clogged pores aren’t exactly within your control, like your hormones. But there are ways you can lower your other risk factors:

• Keep your skin hydrated with daily moisturizer
• Use skin care and makeup products that don’t clog pores (look for “non-comedogenic” and “non-acnegenic” on the label)
• Cleanse your skin twice a day to remove debris before it gets into your pores
• Include salicylic acid and/or retinol products in your skin care routine to break up new clogs quickly when they form

These tips and strategies are simple swaps but they can make sure your pores keep doing their important work and staying clog-free.