Pores are tiny openings in your skin that release oil and sweat from your glands. Pores may get clogged when dead skin cells, oil, makeup residue, bacteria, pollutants, or dirt accumulate. Clogged pores lead to acne, blackheads, whiteheads, etc. Clogged pores are common on people’s faces. However, they can occur anywhere on your body, including your scalp, neck, back, shoulders and chest. Often changes in climate along with an abundance of humidity leads to a greater possibility of pores getting clogged.
India being a tropical country, could be a common phenomenon. Clogged pores coupled with lifestyle barriers such as poor diet, humid conditions, picking pimples, pollution, stress, and anxiety, scrubbing skin often will worsen them. Clogged pores can be dealt with a skincare routine that is apt for the skin type and concerns. (Also read: Period acne: Causes and tips to prevent it )
Talking to HT Lifestyle, Dr. Jaishree Sharad, Leading Celebrity Cosmetic Dermatologist and Skin Expert at NIVEA India shared effective ways to deal with clogged pores.
1. Avoid squeezing your pores
While it is tempting to pick on your skin, it can lead to acne scars, and more breakouts and make the pores appear larger. Whatever route is adopted to squeeze the pores- hands, tweezers, or other tools to get rid of whiteheads or blackheads from the face will damage the skin. Squeezing pores lead to inflamed or irritated skin.
2. Don’t forget to facewash
Cleansing your face is one of the most important steps in keeping the skin free of clogged pores. Milk traditionally revered for its nutritional properties is also a great cleanser for the skin. It enables getting rid of impurities, sweat, dirt, residual makeup etc. Milk acts as a natural cleanser and has a pH best suited for skin without being harsh. Hence, using a milk-based face wash will enable thorough cleansing of the skin without being harsh to the skin. Ideally washing your face twice, a day will help to combat clogged pores.
3. Moisturize well
Once the face is thoroughly cleansed and fresh, moisturization is the next key step in dealing with clogged pores. A moisturization with a moisturizer including the goodness of jojoba oil and Vitamin E will enable the skin to be instantly refreshed and moisturized. A moisturizer with a non-greasy formula, light texture, and a cream that can be used all through the year will enable getting rid of pores.
Additionally, other ways to prevent clogged pores include avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands, not utilizing the oil for the face, keeping the skin clean and moisturized and indulging in periodic chemical peels. Since the body naturally produces pores, you cannot get rid of them completely. A well-planned skincare routine can prevent your pores from getting clogged with dirt, oil, and other impurities.