While pores can be a real pain the neck (or face), their overall mission is for good, not evil. These little guys house a hair follicle and release sebum, sweat, and a build-up of dead skin cells to keep our skin healthy and protected. However, given the amount of air pollution, makeup, and phone-to-face contact we experience in a day, our pores can become clogged if not properly cared for. As outlined in Diagram 1 below, clogged pores are unable to properly release sebum and bacteria, which can lead to acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and other painful skin irritations.
Diagram 1: Clogged Pores on Face
Image source: The Stuff
Thankfully, there are ways to avoid these types of breakouts. Read on to improve your acne and health with 4 ways to treat clogged pores.
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Eat Clean
It’s important that your outer appearance reflects great inner health. When it comes to unclogging pores, you should consider what makes it onto your fork every day. Foods that reflect a high glycaemic index (GI), like white bread and other refined carbohydrates, can cause our hormones to overact, thereby increasing sebum production and breakouts. If you’re struggling with irritations, test out a diet that reflects clean, whole foods. For meals that work to improve acne and health, check out our SkinB5 recipes.
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Clean Your Sheets
Side-sleepers take note! Apart from being an integral part of good hygiene, changing and cleaning your sheets regularly is imperative when keeping your pores in good shape. Pillows are the perfect breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria, dead skin, and dust mites (including their excrement). According to a study from Amerisleep, after only one week your ‘pillowcases and sheets contain between three million and five million CFUs (colony-forming units) per square inch’. So if you’re dealing with persistent clogged pores and acne, be sure to keep your sheets springtime fresh.
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Steam
Steam is one of the best ways to open up and unclog your pores. This method is extremely easy to achieve at home, so why not treat yourself to a spa-like experience once a week? First of all, wash your skin with SkinB5’s Acne Control Cleanser. Afterwards, carefully lean over a pot of hot water with a towel over your head, which will encourage the steam to open up your pores. Relax like this for about 5 minutes before rinsing your face with cold water to close your pores again. Finish off by moisturising with SkinB5’s Acne Control Moisturiser.
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Exfoliate
Reduce the build-up of dirt, skin, and other pore-clogging matter by exfoliating with a specialised glove or brush. Dry exfoliation, in particular, is an effective method that lifts impurities and encourages glowing, healthy skin. If you suffer from oily skin, you may like to exfoliate a few times a week. Always be gentle on the delicate skin of your face, as over-exfoliation or harsh rubbing can lead to rashes, broken skin and further irritations.
What do you think of our 4 tips to treating clogged pores? For more inspiration on clear skin, take a peek at our Instagram.
Renee is a 20-something writer who has a love-hate relationship with fictional characters. If she doesn’t have her eyes glued to the big screen, you’ll find her chasing sunsets by the water. Having grown up with sensitive skin, she’s passionate about sharing and celebrating natural products that really work.
