How to Get Rid of Clogged Pores

By Home Remedies
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What causes clogged pores?

Clogged pores usually occur on your face or neck but they can also appear elsewhere on your body.  The pores become blocked by dead skin, oils, make-up and general day to day dirt and grime and teenagers and women are extra prone due to hormones that can increase their skin oils.  If left untreated, clogged pores can develop into blackheads or acne which can be more difficult to treat.

Remedies

Steam

Opening up your pores with a facial steam is a great habit to get into.  This allows for the trapped grime and oil to be loosened so it can be washed away, leaving you with fresher and cleaner looking skin.  It can be done weekly for best results.

  1. Wash your face with warm water before you start to get rid of any surface dirt, and pat dry with a towel.
  2. Heat up a pan of water until it starts to steam and then turn off the heat.
  3. Sit with your face over the steam with a towel draped over your head to stop the steam from escaping.
  4. Allow the warm steam to work its magic for 5-10 minutes and then rinse your face again to remove any loosened grime.
  5. Finally splash your face with cold water to close your pores.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is found in the seeds of the jojoba plant.  Technically a wax, it is antibacterial and has antioxidant properties.  It also closely resembles the sebum of human skin, and when applied, it works by tricking the skin into thinking its sebum levels are too high.  This in turn causes the skins’ actual sebum production to reduce, which results in less acne.  Once applied, jojoba oil also pushes out the dead skin cells and bacteria that have become trapped in the pores.

  1. Wash your face with a mild natural soap and warm water to clear the surface grime.
  2. Apply the jojoba oil to the affected areas by dabbing with a cotton bud. Do this 3 times a day until the problem has cleared up.
  3. The acne may get worse before it gets better. Continue with the jojoba treatment as this is just the bacteria and dead skin cells being pushed and cleared out of your pores.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal contains natural fats that can help to lock in moisture when used as a face mask.  It is also a gentle exfoliator, so great for scrubbing away the dirt and grime that builds up. 

  1. Mix 3-4 tablespoons of ground oatmeal with 1-2 tablespoons of warm water, until you get a thick paste.
  2. Apply to your face and leave for 20 minutes or so for the oatmeal to work its magic.
  3. Before washing off, gently rub the mixture on your face to remove any loose build up.
  4. Wash with a natural soap and towel dry.

 

Honey

Honey is antibacterial which will help to soothe sore skin.  It also tightens up skin pores and will help to keep your skin hydrated.

  1. Raw honey can be applied directly to the affected area.
  2. Leave for 5-10 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.

Sugar

Sugar can be used as an exfoliator for your clogged pores.  Simply mix 2 tablespoons of sugar with a little water to create a paste, rub the mixture over your skin in a circular motion, and then rinse well with warm water.

Lemon

Lemon juice works as an antibacterial.  When applied directly to the face, the acidity will help to remove any bad bacteria or microbes that are causing your pores to become clogged.  Simply squeeze the juice from 1 lemon and after soaking a cotton ball, wipe your face gently in a circular motion to remove the grime and excess oils.

Warning: Use caution when applying to broken skin as the acidity of the lemon juice may cause stinging and irritation.

Bi-Carbonate of Soda

As far as exfoliating goes, bi-carbonate of soda (baking soda) is up there with the best.  It is gentle, so should not cause any redness or irritations and it also neutralises your skins pH levels, reducing oil production.

  1. Open up your pores using the facial steam method. This is important to allow the trapped dirt and grime to escape.
  2. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of bi-carbonate of soda with a little water to create a paste.
  3. Massage the mixture gently onto the skin on your face.
  4. Leave on for 5-10 minutes and then wash off with warm water.
  5. Finally splash your face with cold water to close your pores.

How to prevent clogged pores

If you are prone to this condition, preventing blocked pores may require exfoliation to be added to your regular routine.  Once a week with a baking soda scrub followed by a lemon juice rinse may be enough to keep it under control.  Changes to your diet may also help to reduce clogged pores; excessive amounts of fizzy drinks and other sugary foods can cause blockages as your body tries to expel the excess sugar.