Retinol and retinoids can also be really effective against sebaceous filaments. They increase the rate of cell turnover, which helps keep dead skin cells from getting stuck in your pores.
Salicylic acid, also known as beta hydroxy acid, is an ingredient in many facial cleansers and acne creams. These products may contain 0.5% to 2.0% percent salicylic acid. This type of acid may help reduce the amount of oil on the skin and the size of sebaceous filaments.
“Beta hydroxy acids, like salicylic acid, are lipophilic, allowing them to mingle with oil deep within the pore and break up oil plugs.” This combination is a sebaceous filament-killer. To use this facial, apply a thin, even layer once or twice a week.
To keep your sebaceous filaments in check, we recommend you wash your face with a gentle, salicylic-acid-packed formula like the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser ($12) daily to help dissolve any oil buildup, then apply an OTC retinoid treatment to keep sebaceous filaments from coming back.
Retinoids or simply retinol can be very effective at removing sebaceous filaments from the face. If the skin is extremely sensitive, start by incorporating it one time a week into the skincare routine and gradually increase the frequency of use.
How to Reduce Sebaceous Filaments on Your Face. Use a Cleanser with Salicylic Acid. Remove excess impurities and sebum with a charcoal acne cleanser with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps dissolve the dead skin cells and oils clogging pores that might lead to large sebaceous filaments.
Its really helped to clear my nose of sebaceous filaments! Even with BHA and AHA in my routine, my nose was prone to these clogged pores of sebaceous filaments; it literally looked like these plugs dotted on the sides of my nose, gross!
Oil dissolves oil, so an oil cleanser can actually eliminate excess sebum, as well as daily dirt and grime (aka, the exact recipe for sebaceous filaments).
“To minimize sebaceous filaments (a much safer alternative to peel off masks, pore strips, and at-home extractions), use a good BHA or salicylic-acid product, practice oil cleansing, and use ingredients like niacinamide, zinc, sulfur, and pimple patches," says Joi Lin Tynes, NYS licensed aesthetician and wax specialist ...
Because pore strips aren't strong enough to remove blackheads, but are able to pull out sebaceous filaments, they end up stripping our skin of our natural oils and getting rid of the pore's protection from bacteria.
"Any active ingredients that work to exfoliate the skin will improve the look of sebaceous filaments," says Dr. Linkner. "Common examples of active ingredients include retinol, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid."
People with oily skin or enlarged pores may have sebaceous filaments that are easier to see. But unlike blackheads, sebaceous filaments tend to be sandy colored or light grey, rather than black. Blackheads, on the other hand, are actually black in color.
Salicylic acid is studied to reduce the size of sebaceous filaments. Known for its minimizing effect on pores, benzoyl peroxide helps reduce inflammation while getting rid of bacteria and excess oil.
If a person's concerns are mostly around enlarged pores and uneven skin tone, the 10% strength is a great option. For those with more advanced concerns such as sagging pores, orange peel-like texture or oil-related bumps, the 20% strength is preferred.
If your skin is dull and/or dry and/or moisturizer alone just doesn't seem to do much, Dr. Frieling suggests adding this serum to your routine. She lauds it for combining reparative niacinamide with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, both humectants that attract water to and hold it in the skin.
“The vitamin is water-soluble and will most effectively absorb into the skin in a serum form,” explains Dr. Patel. “An effective serum should also have two to 10% of niacinamide,” says Annie Gonzalez, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami.
Regular use of a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) exfoliant for sebaceous filaments can really help, because BHA is oil-soluble and can dissolve sebum and other substances crowding the pore lining. Use of a well-formulated clay face mask for sebaceous filaments might also help due to the clay's oil-absorbing properties.
The best topical treatment for sebaceous filaments and comedonal acne is prescription nighttime topical retin-a, specifically Tretinoin and Tazorac or over-the-counter adapalene gel in conjunction with a morning Salicylic acid wash—a keratolytic (destroying the excess keratin).
Retinol and retinoids can also be really effective against sebaceous filaments. They increase the rate of cell turnover, which helps keep dead skin cells from getting stuck in your pores.
Sebaceous filaments are most commonly found in the centrofacial areas and the alae nasae in postpuberal individuals with large facial pores and seborrhea.
Glycolic acid is an effective exfoliant, meaning it can remove dead skin cells. It's well suited to reducing hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. If you have acne-prone skin, salicylic acid is usually a better option. It can get rid of excess sebum and prevent or treat acne.
Apply moisturizer after your glycolic acid product. Remember to always apply moisturizer twice a day (morning and evening) to protect and hydrate your newly exfoliated skin. Keeping your skin hydrated will also prevent any potential redness or irritation from your glycolic acid product.
King recommended applying moisturizer to the skin after using a pore strip, which can help combat dryness.