Clogged Pores: Common Causes and How to Prevent Them!

Common Causes of Clogged Pores

While teenagers are usually the ones concerned with clogged pores, it’s not uncommon for adults to also be affected by this bothersome problem.

Below are some of the common reasons your pores are clogged:

1. Build-up of dead skin cells
2. Trapped dirt & grime
3. Old make-up residue
4. Excess sebum production
5. Heavy sweating

How to Prevent Clogged Pores

It’s important to prevent clogged pores at all times, especially if you’re prone to acne flare-ups. Clogged pores are often the culprit of those nasty pimple outbreaks. The main thing you must keep in mind is that in order to keep your pores clear, you must adhere to a strict skincare routine. This involves a combination of both hygiene and the use of the right skincare products.

1. Cleanse
   Although you want to cleanse your face daily, it’s important to remember that over-washing can cause excess oil production which can clog your pores. Try limiting face washing to once per day at bedtime. Bedtime is the preferred time of day as you can take care of removing your make-up as well!
2. Exfoliate 
   Exfoliating is necessary to ensure you remove any dead skin cells that might be sitting on your skin’s surface. Dead skin cells stick to sebum and can easily accumulate and clog up your pores if you aren’t regularly scrubbing them off.
3. Apply a Face Mask
   Face masks are a great way to detoxify your pores! Try using a face mask once per week to achieve a deep pore cleanse.
4. Try a Steam Facial
   Steam facials are another way to clear dirt from your pores. When your skin is exposed to heat, your pores open up and dirt can easily be extracted.
5. Keep Your Hair Away 
   If you have oily hair, make sure you wash it regularly. It’s not something you normally think about; however, oily hair can cause clogged pores if it’s constantly brushing up against your skin and leaving oily debris behind! And if you have bangs, you might notice more acne breakouts on your forehead. That’s because the dirt and oil from your hair is getting on your skin and clogging your pores.
6. Avoid Hats
   When you wear a hat, you are more likely to sweat. Sweat transports dirt, oil, & bacteria which loveto settle in your pores. And if you combine dirt + oil + bacteria you’ve got the perfect environment for acne to develop.
7. Reduce Sugar Consumption
   Sugar doesn’t clog your pores per se; however, sugar does increase inflammation in your body. And when your pores are inflamed, that’s when they can trap dirt and oil and become clogged.
8. Treat Your Skin with Beta Hydroxy Acid
   If you tend to suffer from clogged pores, it’s possible your skin is shedding more skin cells than other people. To help slough off those skin cells and prevent clogged pores, you can try using skincare products that contain beta hydroxy acids (BHA). Salicylic acid is a common BHA used to chemically exfoliate your skin.
9. Seek Professional Help
   Lastly, if you feel you’ve tried everything and still cannot resolve the issue, go see your dermatologist! They have access to the proper tools that can be used to safely extract debris trapped deeply within your pores!