What causes blackheads and enlarged pores and how do I get rid of them?
Enlarged pores and blackheads are always a problem - they either never seem to go away or when they do they always come back. There are a number of causes as to why we get blackheads - diet, hormones etc. but it’s important to understand what actually happens to your skin when a blackhead is formed and what are the steps you can do to remove or prevent them.
How are enlarged pores and blackheads formed?
When our oil glands produce too much sebum (oil) inside the skin’s pores, the excess oil combines with dead skin cells and narrows the pore causing a blocked pore.This makes it difficult for the sebum to flow freely to the skin surface and causes the pore to enlarge - so that it can flow freely.
If the pore is enlarged and the combination of excess sebum and dead skin cells is exposed to air, this oxidises the mixture and turns it black, forming a blackhead.
Excess oil production can be caused by diet, hormones, ingredients in cosmetic products, medical conditions and medication.
How to treat enlarged pores and blackheads. Do’s and Don’ts…
Do…
Exfoliate: Using a non abrasive/chemical exfoliant i.e Salicylic Acid (Beta Hydroxy Acid aka BHA). This will break down and remove dead skin cells and impurities that would normally gather in the pore, resulting in a blackhead. More on BHA here.
Cleanse: Using a gentle, water soluble cleanser to remove makeup and impurities. Ensure the cleanser is suitable for your skin type, more on cleansers per skin type here.
Use Niacinamide: Is a superstar ingredient when it comes to treating blackheads, enlarged pores and acne. It minimises pores and helps reduce breakouts. Read more about Niacinamide here
Don’t…
Exfoliate: Using harsh/abrasive scrubs or cleansing brushes with stiff bristles. You can’t scrub away blackheads and the harshness just makes skin dry and flaky, creating more dead skin that can block pores.
Cleanse: Using bar soap or other skin care products that clog pores. The ingredients that keep bar soap in its solid form can clog pores.
Go to bed without washing your makeup off. Neglecting to thoroughly, but gently, remove all of your makeup can make clogged pores worse!
Try,
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.
Paula’s Choice Pore Reducing Toner (with Niacinamide).
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum.
Face Theory Porebright Serum N10.