Clogged Pores – Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It

Clogged pores are often to blame for breakouts and dull looking skin. Pores can become blocked as a result of dead skin cells that become trapped in the skin instead of being shed from the body. These tiny openings in the skin are designed to release sweat and oil. However, pores can easily become clogged resulting in whiteheads, blackheads, and acne. There are a number of environmental factors that can contribute to clogged pores, such as toxins in the air, oil transferred from your hands to your face, sweat, and the use of comedogenic makeup.

Habits That Can Contribute to Clogged Pores

Sometimes genetics are to blame for the frequent occurrence of clogged pores. Having naturally oversized pores increases the odds of these holes become blocked with dead skin cells, dirt, oil, and other debris. However, there are certain habits that can also increase your odds of developing clogged pores. One of the most common culprits is smoking. You already know that smoking is bad for your health but it can also increase your odds of suffering from adult acne. Smoking can weaken skin’s elasticity and cause a range of other negative side effects like clogged pores.

Another common cause of clogged pores is sleeping on dirty sheets. Ideally, you want to change your sheets weekly and if you have chronic clogged pores, perhaps even more frequently. Dirt, oil, and dead skin cells can build up on your pillowcase and when you rest your head on the fabric at night, these things can be transferred to your skin and clog your pores. Washing your bed sheets can make a big difference in the look of your skin, especially if you tend to sweat a lot at night.

Other habits that can contribute to clogged pores include talking on the phone regularly which can increase the number of breakouts on your cheeks and the side of your face. Slathering on tropical bronzer or baby oil can also cause pores to become clogged and pimples to develop, especially if the sunscreen is comedogenic. You also want to avoid makeup while working out to allow sweat to release from the pores without a barrier of makeup blocking it. Finally, you want to avoid picking at your blemishes. Squeezing your zits can cause skin inflammation and irritation which affects the size of your pores and can cause the transfer of bacteria from your hands to your face.

Treating Clogged Pores and Acne Breakouts

The key to treating clogged pores is keeping dirt and grime off your skin. This can be achieved by using a quality facial cleanser designed to deep clean skin without stripping it of its natural oils. The Perfecting Cleanser with Rose Hip Seed by Dr. Sylvia Skin Care is an excellent option that works with all skin types. The universal solution delivers a dose of nourishing vitamins including vitamins A and C which help create firmer, smoother skin. 

Combining the Perfecting Cleanser with a chemical peel can also help eliminate pores. The Cutis Anti Acne Peel is designed to reduce acne by unclogging pores and killing acne-causing bacteria on the skin. Cutis Acne Peel contains ingredients derived from the willow plant and has been proven effective in clearing out pores. 

Need help managing your pores or breakouts? Contact Dr. Sylvia Ramirez to determine the best treatment plan for your skin.