The pores on your skin are important for overall health, but they can also lead to breakouts when they get clogged. Fortunately there are some things you can do to prevent excess dirt, oil, and skin cells that would normally clog pores, which can help reduce the chance of acne breakouts.
Common Culprits of Clogged Pores
Small pores cover the surface of your skin, allowing oil and sweat to travel from glands underneath your skin up to the surface. Sweat glands help keep your body cool and prevent it from overheating. Sebaceous glands produce sebum, and oil that keeps your skin moisturized. When your body produces too much sebum it can get trapped inside the pores. Other things can also get trapped with sebum—such as dirt, environmental toxins, bacteria, and dead skin cells—and the result is inflammation, leading to acne.
Your body has a process to remove dead skin cells and excess oil, but it’s important to follow a cleansing routine and use the right products to prevent new or worsening breakouts.
Habits that Contribute to Clogged Pores
Some daily habits and activities can make it harder for your body to keep pores clean and healthy, such as:
- Not following a proper cleansing routine. Your body can remove some things that clog pores, but you can help that process by cleaning your skin with the correct products, including acne-fighting cleansers, toners, and serums.
- Cleansing or exfoliating too much. Yes, it is possible to clean your skin too much. Constantly exfoliating, using harsh cleansers, or washing your face too often can actually remove natural oils your skin needs to remain healthy. Your sebaceous glands then go into overdrive trying to generate more sebum, which clogs your pores. Overzealous exfoliating or using other harsh cleansers can also cause skin irritation, redness, and inflammation.
- Using pore-clogging products. One of the most common reasons pores get clogged is simply using the wrong products. Even ones that are labeled “hypoallergenic”, “non-comedogenic”, or “safe for acne” are not always so. Only buy products from a trusted source that uses proven ingredients and acne-safe formulas for makeup, cleansers, haircare, and more.
- Not protecting skin from sun and environmental toxins. Your face is exposed to a lot throughout the day in any environment. Wear sunscreen and use products that form a protective barrier to keep as much of that out as possible.
- Wearing the same old makeup from your local store. Unfortunately most off-the-shelf makeup isn’t acne-safe. Shopping for makeup at your local drugstore or grocery store that comes with pore-clogging ingredients can make breakouts worse.
- Not cleaning your beauty tools. Regularly clean brushes, blenders, and other tools you use to clean your face and apply makeup. Oil, dirt, bacteria, and other harmful things can accumulate on these tools and make breakouts worse.
Find the Best Pore-Friendly Ingredients from Jil Goorman Beauty
Jil Goorman Beauty products are specially formulated to address breakouts. If you struggle with acne, shop our acne-safe products for your entire skincare routine, including cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, makeup, and hair care.