Congested Skin & Clogged Pores: Causes & Treaments

Clogged pores are a common skin issue and can cause a variety of skin issues including active acne breakouts. They occur when hair follicles (which are the openings of pores) become blocked by a mixture of excess oil (sebum), dead skin cells, dirt, and sometimes bacteria. When pores get clogged, they can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or even cysts.

What are some of the more common causes of clogged pores?

1. Excess Oil Production (Sebum): When your skin produces too much oil, it can mix with dead skin cells and clog the pores. Clogged pores are more common in people with oily skin or those who have overactive sebaceous glands.

2. Dead Skin Cells: When skin cells don’t shed properly, they can accumulate and mix with oil, leading to blockages in the pores. This can be a result of poor exfoliation or skin turnover. As a result clogged pores on the nose and cheeks are very common.

3. Dirty or Oily Products: Using heavy, oily skincare or makeup products can clog your pores, especially if they are not designed to be non-comedogenic (won't clog pores). Clogged pores on the cheeks is very common and will often result in breakouts.

4. Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormones (like during puberty, pregnancy, or menstrual cycles) can cause an increase in sebum production, leading to clogged pores.

5. Diet: While diet’s role in acne isn’t fully understood, foods that spike blood sugar (like sugary or high-glycemic foods) might increase sebum production. Dairy has also been linked to some types of acne in certain people.

6. Environmental Factors: Pollution, sweat, and humidity can lead to an accumulation of dirt and oil in your pores, especially if you don’t cleanse your skin properly afterward.

7. Lack of Proper Skin Care: Not cleansing your skin regularly, or using harsh cleansers that irritate the skin and strip it of natural oils, can actually worsen clogged pores over time. Porper cleansing can clean pores for more helthy skin.

How do you unclog pores and treat congested skin?

The best way to treat clogged and congested pores is to focus on regularly keeping your skin clean and proper exfoliation. By choosing the right products for your skin type, you can minimize the risk of clogged pores and help maintain clearer skin. 

Topical treatments and a consistent at home skincare routine is critical. Choosing the proper products for your skin type such as exfoliating toners, clay face masks, retinoids and serums is very important.

What are the best treatments for clogged pores?

Regular facial treatments with a professional esthetician will also enhance your at home skincare routine. The best in spa treatmenst for clogged pores include acne facials, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. All are very effective in controlling acne breakouts caused by clogged pores and balancing your skin.

Eating a balanced diet, drinking lots of water and a consisten skincare routine will also help keep your skin in check.

What are some of the best skincare products to treat clear pores and congested skin?

The Environ Focus Care Claity + Skincare collection is specifically formuated to clean, clear, control and balance congested skin. The Environ Sebu-Clear Cleansing Gel is a mattifying foaming face wash formulated with a combination of ingredients and salicylic acid that assist in washing away dirt and excess surface oil that may aggravate the appearance of blemishes, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and clean. This sebum-control cleanser is a mild, low-foaming cleanser that is gentle on the skin.

The Environ Dual Action Pre-Cleanisng Oil and Hydrating Clay Masque are two excellent choices for gently cleansing the face, absorbing excess oil on the skin's surface and balancing the skin's sebum levels.

Will skincare serum products are best to treat clogged pores?

Yes. Adding a serum to your skincare routine can porvide many benefits. The two most popular and effective serums are the Biologique Recherche Serum Complexe Iribiol and the Serum Derompore. The Serum Complexe Iribiol is a purfifying serum which helps to control sebum secretion and tighten dialated pores. The Serum Dermopore tightens and reduces dialated pores while helping to prevent comedone formation and acne breakouts. These serums are excellent to treat clogged nose pores.

What are the benefits of regular exfoliation for congested skin and dilated pores?

Regular exfoliation is key but you must always be careful not to over exfoliate. Choosing the correct exfoliating toner for your skin is very important. You should always monitor your skin's reaction to avoid over exfoliation. Irritation, redness, inflammation or excess dry skin are all clear signs of exfoliating too much.

The Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 Exfoliating Toners are an excellent choice and are available in 4 customized formulas for sensitive, oily or dehydrated skin. The Lotion P50 PIGM 400 formula has the added benefit of treating dark spots and hyper-pigmentation issues. Daily use after cleansing will significantly improve your skins texture, balance ph levels, control sebum and help prevent acne breakouts.

Are clay skincare face masks good for congested skin and clogged pores?

Yes clay masks help to absorb excess sebum on the skin's surface which is one the major causes of clogged pores. The Biologique Recherche Biomagic Mask is formulated with white clay to purfiy, energize and brighten the skin. The Environ Hydrating Clay Masque is a luxurious creamy clay masque that assists in absorbing excess surface oils and gently polishes the skin’s surface, leaving it feeling smoother and looking more radiant and refined. The masque is also forumlated with Pharmaceutical grade Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral) Oil that has emollient properties and helps to clear the appearance of blocked pores and congestion.

Another excellent masque choice for acne prone and oily skin is the Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant with highly active purifying ingrdeinets to control excess sebum and reduce breakouts.

Learn more about congested and acne skincare tips and how you can incorporate them into your at home skincare routine. Reach out and connect for your complimentary Skincare Consultation with our professionally trained and certfied estheticians at Paul Labrecque Salon & Skincare Spa.

For more information or to Shop the full Biologique Recherche Skin  and Environ Skincare Collections visit www.paullabrecque.com.

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Paul Labrecque NYC is the Original Biologique Recherche Skincare Spa with 22 Years of trusted product knowledge and facial treatment experience. Schedule your Personalized Skin Instant Skin Analysis and Consultation to customize your at home skincare routine for your unique skin type.