WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW AND HOW TO TREAT THEM

Clogged pores form when dead skin cells, oil, or dirt become trapped within the skin's tiny openings, known as pores. These pores are responsible for releasing oil and sweat from your glands. When they become blocked, it can lead to acne.

While clogged pores are most common on the face, they can also appear on other parts of the body such as the scalp, neck, back, shoulders, and chest.

Causes of Clogged Pores

• Excess Sebum (Oil) Production: Overactive oil glands can create an oily environment that traps debris. This can happen due to genetics, age, medication, stress.
• Over-Exfoliated Skin or Dry Skin: Over-exfoliated skin becomes more prone to clogged pores because excessive exfoliation disrupts the skin’s natural barrier and alters its protective functions. A damaged barrier, flaky skin, impaired cellular turnover and skin inflammation can create grounds for clogged pores.
• Dead Skin Cell Buildup: Inadequate exfoliation leads to dead skin cells accumulating and mixing with sebum, thus clogging the pores.
• Comedogenic Ingredients and Improper Product Use: Many skin care product ingredients may congest pores in susceptible skin types.
• Environment and Pollution: Pollution, sweat, and poor hygiene can contribute to pore clogging.
• Hormonal Fluctuations: Androgenic hormones can increase sebum production, especially during menstruation, puberty, or stress.

• Stress: Stress can cause hormonal and inflammatory responses in the body that lead to cortisol release, which stimulates increased oil production. Oil, or sebum mixes with the dead skin cell and debris which can create clogged pores. Stress can also cause more frequent touching of the face, introducing dirt and bacteria to the pores. Lastly, stress can cause one to skip their skincare routine and make poor dietary choices, which can contribute to pore clogging.

Types of Clogged Pores

• Open Comedones (Blackheads): Skin oil oxidizes and becomes trapped in open pores.
• Closed Comedones (Whiteheads): Small, flesh-colored bumps where sebum is trapped beneath the skin.
• Pustules & Papules: Inflammatory clogged pores that can result from bacteria proliferation.
• Milia: Dead skin and oil filled small bumps that look like whiteheads but are deeper and require professional extraction.

What's the Difference Between Clogged Pores and Enlarged Pores?

Clogged pores and enlarged pores are different, though they’re often connected. Clogged pores typically result from excess oil production, which can trap debris and lead to congestion. While increased oil can contribute to both concerns, enlarged pores have additional causes such as aging, certain skincare products, hair follicle size, and sun damage. This means that enlarged pores don’t always result in clogged pores.

Who Gets Clogged Pores?

Clogged pores are common in adolescents and young adults due to hormonal changes during puberty, which stimulate oil production. However, people of any age or gender can experience clogged pores.

Your genetics can also play a role. If you have a family history of acne or clogged pores, you may be more prone to these concerns. Inherited traits like naturally oily or dry skin can further influence your skin’s behavior.

Effective Treatment Strategies

• Gentle Exfoliation:
  • Enzymes: Pineapple, papaya, or pumpkin enzymes are ideal for sensitive skin. 
  • AHAs (like glycolic and lactic acid): For effective surface exfoliation, try our GLYCOLIC LACTIC TONER.
  • BHAs (like salicylic acid): Excellent for penetrating oil and clearing pores.
• Retinoids: Encourage cellular turnover, helping to prevent blockages. We love our RETINOL META CONCENTRATE. 
• Clay Masks: Such as kaolin or bentonite, which draw out impurities. Try our ZINC MASK WITH GOJI BERRY PREBIOTICS.
• Proper Cleansing: Especially in congested areas, can help dissolve excess oils. Our favorite cleanser is the MANDELIC CLEANSING GEL with its mild AHA. 
• Professional Extractions: Safe manual extraction prevents scarring and accelerates recovery.
• Hydration Support: Barrier-repairing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and can help maintain balance. Try our light-weight non-comedogenic DAILY MOISTURIZER.

Prevention Tips

Non-Comedogenic Products: Educate yourself on ingredients that suit your skin type and avoid pore-clogging ingredients - Use our PORE-CLOGGER CHECKER TOOL

• Balanced Hydration: Avoid overly drying treatments that trigger excess sebum production.
• Consistent Skincare Routine: Practice regular cleansing, skin exfoliation, and moisture balance.

Lifestyle modifications: Stress reduction, adequate hydration, and healthy diet choices can greatly improve skin health.

Key Ingredient & Product Recommendations

• Salicylic Acid: Best for oily, acne-prone skin. 
• Enzymes: Keratolytic enzymes effectively digest dead skin cells, leaving skin soft and not irritated.
• Niacinamide: Helps regulate sebum while improving cellular turnover and skin barrier function.
• Peptides: Support collagen structure, preventing pore dilation over time. Our recommendation is the PLANT STEM CELL SERUM WITH PEPTIDES. 
• Vitamin C: Fights oxidative stress, reducing pore congestion. We love the META C SERUM.
• Retinoids: promote turnover at the cellular level and Retinoids regulate sebum production by normalizing the activity of sebaceous glands. Reducing excess oil means less chance of it mixing with dead skin cells to cause blockages. Use the RETINOL META CONCENTRATE.
• Benzoyl peroxide: helps shed dead skin cells and, as an antibacterial agent, it  targets Propionibacterium acne, the bacteria that contribute to acne formation. By reducing bacteria on the skin, it helps prevent infections that could develop in clogged pores.  Try our ACNE GEL to keep breakouts under control.