There are a number of things that can be clogging and blocking your pores and knowing what they are is half the battle and a step in the right direction. It goes without saying that the best weapon against skin problems is knowledge. Knowledge is power after all! If you have an idea of what can clog your pores, you can then avoid them and/or take action to make sure they stay clear and healthy. Check out our list of common pore blockers, how to combat them and you’ll be well on your way to amazing skin.
1. Make-up
Make-up can irritate sensitive skin and can be one of the key causes of blocked skin. If you notice that you have a breakout or acne after using certain makes of make-up or colours, we’d recommend that you cut them out, try something else and see if the condition improves. Mineral makeup is a great choice
2. Hands
Hands can be dirty little creatures and have a really negative impact on your skin – after all think about what you put them through on a daily basis! Try and keep your hands off your face. This is because it will help to protect you against illnesses, but also protects your pores. If your hands are dirty and come into contact with your face, they leave behind dirt, germs and bacteria that will worm their way into your pores and clog them up really quickly. If you must touch your face, make sure your hands are clean first!
3. Face masks
A new issue we didn’t see coming this time last year is face masks. They’re on they’re off, in your pocket, your bag, you touch them, breathe on them and that is bad news for your skin. Blocked pores and spotty outbreaks are caused by the humid and sweaty environment created under your mask by your regular breathing; trapping bacteria and being made even worse by the irritation of the mask itself rubbing on your skin. Make sure you always wear a clean fresh mask and avoid touching the part that goes over your face with your hands.
4. Oily Skin
Oily skin might be one of the key things clogging your pores. Genetics, dehydration and hormones can all be causes of excess oil production. You can’t fight some of these things, but if you keep your skin clean and moisturised, it will be a great start and act as the best defence. Easy to do, this is one of the best and simplest ways to combat clogged pores.
5. Dirty Skin
You must cleanse your skin thoroughly every day and night. Never wear makeup to bed and be sure to wash your skin well at night with a cleanser designed to work for your specific skin type. Your skin is exposed to dirt, bacteria and environmental toxins throughout the day which must be removed for healthy skin. So, simply put, even if you feel like skipping it, if you want glowing skin, then washing your face is absolutely vital!
6. Dead Skin Cells
Everyone carries dead skin cells around on their body but the good news is that you can get rid of them with regular exfoliation treatments. Use an exfoliator while you’re in the shower and this will help slough away the dead skin, keeping it out of your pores. Even better, book in for a microdermabrasion facial as soon as salons are open again.
image:istock.com/Deagreez
