Use salicylic acid.
To get the gunk out of your pores, you need the best gunk buster around—salicylic acid. "Gentile exfoliating cleansers of the salicylic acid variant are great because salicylic acid is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that cuts through sebum and breaks it down," says Dr. Gohara.
If you have clogged or congested pores, it might be because your skin overproduces sebum or you may have an accumulation of dead skin cells and other debris (like makeup) in your pores. Dr. Rubin says all of this increases the risk that the pore could become blocked, and blocked pores can lead to, yup, acne.
Use an exfoliating scrub or chemical exfoliant 2-3 times a week to give the skin a deep clean and clear out the pores without stripping it of any natural oils. Clay masks are ideal for clearing out the pores, they can remove oil, dirt and dead skin that is found deep inside the pores.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises against touching, picking, or popping any type of clogged pore or acne.
Clogged pores can look enlarged, bumpy, or, in the case of blackheads, dark in color. The more oil that a person's skin produces, the more likely it is that their pores will become blocked. A person can use skin care techniques and products to manage or clear clogged pores.
Baking soda is promoted by numerous online entities as a “natural” way to get rid of blackheads. In theory, baking soda can indeed have a drying effect. Proponents back this treatment measure because of baking soda's potential ability to dry out clogged pores.
Apple cider vinegar boasts antibacterial properties that can help eradicate acne. The potent liquid unclogs pores from bacteria, excess oil, and other debris—and also balances the pH level of our skin.
Apple cider vinegar is known to cleanse the skin and also shrink the pores. It acts as a toner and tightens your skin. In a bowl, dilute 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 tablespoon of water. Using your fingertips, massage this solution on the enlarged pores and let it dry naturally.
While clogged pores will eventually go away, they can be persistent and often need the help of skincare formulas. A routine that includes daily cleansing, removing makeup and exfoliating regularly can help remove excess oil and loosen buildup within these pores.
So how do these pores become clogged? There are three main culprits: excess oil (sebum production from sebaceous glands), dead skin cells, and over-cleansing. Over time, excess oil and dead skin will begin to accumulate on the skin's surface.
Here's Why It Works. Lemons contain antibacterial properties (which is why the juice is a great cleanser), helping fight the bacteria agents causing your breakouts. It also acts as a natural exfoliator — removing dead skin cells that can clog your pores — as well as a great oil-eliminator.
There isn't anything out there that's going to shrink pores instantly, but you can cleanse your pores to remove any dirt that can be making them more noticeable. You can cover your face with makeup to get a temporary impact, but oftentimes this will only clog your pores even more.
Dermatologists Weigh in on the Vaseline Method
"I would never recommend this method to any patient," San Francisco-based dermatologist William Kwan, MD, told Health. "Vaseline can clog pores and applying plastic wrap is physically occluding the pores.
“Gently press on each side of the blackhead until it begins to release,” she says. “Apply slow and even pressure, and once you are able, lightly pinch the tweezers and pull the blacked out material from the skin to extract it. If the blackhead does not release easily, do not continue to attempt the extraction.”
This may be beneficial against acne, but it's not recommended for people who have very oily skin. Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it can clog pores. Consequently, it may actually make acne worse for some people (22). When applied to the skin, coconut oil may clog pores and make acne worse.
Pores can become clogged with excess oil, dead skin, or dirt, or they can appear more prominent as a result of too much sun exposure. Other factors that can influence pores becoming clogged include genetics and hormones.
Pore size is genetically determined, so you can't actually shrink pores. You can use pore-minimizing products, cooling treatments and products containing vitamin B3, niacinamide, picolinamide, zinc oxide and collagen to attempt to minimize the appearance of pores.
Witch hazel acts as an astringent to help shrink your pores, soothe your skin and reduce inflammation.
Mint in the toothpaste is a natural active ingredient that will open your pores and kill bacteria. Toothpaste also deep cleans pores and plucks out blackheads. Salt is a natural disinfectant and helps defoliate your skin. Salt never dissolves in toothpaste and thus it is the best combination.