Get Clearer Skin: How To Deal With Comedones And Clogged Pores
Pores are tiny holes in the skin that have the function to produce sebum in the skin to seal in moisture and protect your skin. However, it is also easy for excess oil, dead skin cells and other impurities to get trapped inside a pore. Soon, bacteria will make their way to the blockage and this mix will cause inflammation to occur.
Clogged pores lead to comedones, which include whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and cysts. Whiteheads (closed comedones) are typically flesh-coloured, where the oil plug doesn’t get exposed to air. Meanwhile, open comedones expose the plug to the air which oxidizes the contents, leading to blackheads. Combined with P.acnes bacteria, this will result in inflammatory lesions.
Without proper care, it can lead to hyperpigmentation and scarring, causing even more emotional distress for some. Here’s how you can keep your skin in check and reduce more breakouts from developing.
1. Eat clean
Consuming high glycemic foods and beverages like chips and soft drinks can spike blood sugar levels, which increases insulin levels to help circulate the blood sugars out of the bloodstream. Insulin makes androgen hormones more active, and this contributes to the development of acne by raising sebum production.
Similarly, dairy products are also known to increase insulin levels which may worsen acne severity. Instead, consume low-glycemic foods such as legume, whole grains and unprocessed fruits and vegetables. You can also turn to skin-friendly foods such as dark green and leafy vegetables, yellow and orange fruits, fatty fish, and nuts.
2. Stop bad habits
People tend to touch their faces subconsciously all the time, and this bad habit can worse the state of their skin. Our hands come into contact with grime and bacteria frequently throughout the entire day – and each time we touch our faces, dirt and other impurities will reach the surface of the skin.
Another habit that most people are guilty of is popping their pimples and zits. Despite how tempting it might be, picking and popping them can easily cause bleeding, severe scarring or even infections. It also increases the chances of inflammation surrounding the pores, which will worsen the situation of your skin.
3. Stay hydrated
If you are dehydrated, your skin’s oil glands may be activated to produce even more oil to make up for the lack of moisture. Insufficient water in your body also leads to inflammation and redness, giving your skin a dull, lackluster appearance.
Drink at least 2 litres of water every day to keep your body well-hydrated. This is especially important if you spend a fair bit of time in a hot, humid environment, as your body will lose more water. Fruits and vegetables are also a great source of water to up your daily fluid intake – try tomatoes, spinach, cucumber and apples which also contain nutrients that benefit your body.
4. Manage stress well
Stress alone does not cause pimples, but it can make them worse. A study found that your body produces more stress-related hormones such as cortisol and CRH, or corticotrophin-releasing hormone, which drives up the skin’s oil production, resulting in more clogged pores and acne.
And if your blemishes are already facing inflammation, stress can increase your body’s immune response which exacerbates swelling or redness. Find a way to manage your stress, such as meditation, yoga, massage and journaling, to help you feel better and look clearer.
5. Exercise regularly
Apart from keeping you fit and healthy, exercising increases your heart rate and improves blood circulation, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to your skin. This keeps your skin healthy and promotes collagen production for that dewy, glowing complexion.
Sweating while you exercise can also help clear out your pores from all the dirt and oil. But be sure to wash your face afterwards so the gunk doesn’t clog or irritate your skin.
6. Stick to a skincare regimen
Cleansing remains to be a crucial step to remove excess dirt, oil and sweat daily. But you should also incorporate exfoliation regularly to get rid of the dead skin cell clusters on the skin’s surface and boost cellular renewal. Benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid are great for keeping pores clean and bringing the inflammation under control.
Our all-in-one Comedone Set targets oily and congested skin to unclog your pores, eliminate blackheads and dead skin cells. Formulated with key ingredients like Bamboo Charcoal, Collagen, Purslane Extract and Witch Hazel, they work to relieve skin inflammation, draw out dirt and debris from inside the pores, and improve skin elasticity.
With just 4 easy steps, you can use this set as a mini facial treatment right at the comfort of your own home!
Clear clogged pores and comedones
Open and closed comedones differ in their appearance and treatment, but they have one thing in common – excess oil production and dead skin cells will completely block your pores and cause these bumps to develop.
While you can make changes to your lifestyle and skincare routine to keep your skin clear, facial services can also help to tackle this build-up and prevent them from clogging your pores. Our Auras Detox facial will thoroughly cleanse your skin, clear your pores and rejuvenate your skin for a much-refreshed look. Available to new customers at Adonis, each session is $51.36 (after 7% GST) and is limited to 1 time per person.