Pore Buildup: What It Is and How to Get Rid of It

We all have pores on the surface of our skin, but you may notice that you have large pores or more visible pores, especially if you have oily skin. Pores are small openings in your skin that play an essential role in releasing sweat and oil onto your skin’s surface. Over time, high levels of these oils can lead to pore buildup, which can lead to clogged pores and give your skin a dull appearance. By adding the right habits and products to your skincare routine, you can minimize pore buildup and help improve your skin tone and texture.

What Is Pore Buildup?

Pore buildup tends to be a combination of dead skin cells, sebum, dirt, and pollutants that clog your pores and can impact the look and feel of your skin. Face makeup, such as foundation, concealer, or blush can mix with sebum and make its way into your pores. If you forget to remove all your makeup at the end of the day, it can leave behind residue that may seep into your pores overnight.

While almost every part of the body has sebaceous glands that create sebum, your face tends to produce more of this natural oily secretion. When exuded in the appropriate amount, sebum can help keep your skin well hydrated and protected. However, many people secrete too much or too little sebum due to genetic and environmental factors. Without a proper skincare routine, low sebum levels could lead to dry skin patches, while high sebum levels can lead to pore buildup, which can make your skin appear dull or uneven.

If you have pore buildup, there are several steps you can take to remove sebum and other pore-clogging material to help you achieve a smooth, healthy-looking complexion.

The first step in removing buildup from your pores is to choose the right cleanser for your skin type. People with naturally oily skin are more likely to develop buildup, so it's key to find a face wash that deep cleans your skin without stripping away moisture.

Jelly cleansers are gentle on the skin, so they are less likely to strip skin when addressing buildup and clogged pores. While many people are familiar with the feel of milky or gel cleansers, jelly cleansers have a unique bouncy texture that make your daily washing routine a fun experience.

To remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, use an exfoliant to gently resurface your skin. Physical exfoliants, such as face scrubs, are textured with small granules to slough off patches of dead, dry skin, and pore buildup. In general, exfoliating can be done two to three times a week, but how often you should exfoliate also depends on your skin type.

A brightening mask can help smooth out your skin, deep clean your pores, and remove dead skin cells from the surface. Just like with exfoliants, you can use face masks one to three times a week.

Blackheads tend to appear from clogged pores and oxidized sebum. Aged, air-exposed sebum hardens and darkens to form a blackhead. Although it's tempting, avoid squeezing your pores to get rid of blackheads. Instead, try a pore strip to safely and instantly lift away blackheads without damaging your skin.

If you also have whiteheads from excess sebum trapped within your pores, opt for blemish patches to absorb the excess oil to remove buildup.

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