Blackheads are a type of mild acne occurring when hair follicles on your face become clogged with oils and dead skin cells. Hormonal changes, family history, certain medications and use of oily facial products all contribute to blackhead formation. Enlarged pores may also run in your family, and external factors such as sun exposure may increase the appearance of facial pores. Your nose may be especially prone to enlarged pores and blackheads, as it is naturally one of the oilier areas of your face. Careful and consistent cleaning, along with choosing the right facial products, helps get rid of enlarged pores and blackheads in this area.
Step 1
Clean your face with a mild facial cleanser and warm water twice daily to remove excess dirt and oils from the follicles on your face, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends. Use gentle pressure without vigorous scrubbing to avoid irritating your skin.
Step 2
Remove all makeup every evening before bed. Makeup left on your skin attracts dirt and absorbs oils, allowing the pores on your face to become plugged with debris.
Step 3
Exfoliate your skin gently once or twice a week to slough off dead cells and help remove oils that may clog your pores. Select a product containing alpha-hydroxy acid or salicylic acid for chemical exfoliation, or choose a product containing oatmeal or sugar crystals for mechanical exfoliation. Scrub your skin very lightly with the product and then rinse your face with warm water.
Step 4
Apply a skin toner once or twice a week to tighten large pores. Use commercial products with caution, however, as they may contain ingredients, such as alcohol, that dry your skin.
Step 5
Include sunscreen as part of your daily routine. Over time, sun damage may cause your facial skin to lose elasticity, leading to enlarged pores. Liberal use of sunscreen helps keep your skin supple and healthy while retaining the tone that minimizes the appearance of facial pores.
Step 6
Avoid facial products containing comedogenic, or pore-clogging, ingredients. Read labels carefully to ensure your cleansers, exfoliants, toners, sunscreens, makeup products and moisturizers are all labeled as non-comedogenic.
Step 7
Consider microdermabrasion if home remedies to decrease large pores and blackheads do not work as well as you'd like. Microdermabrasion is a moderately intense, non-chemical method of exfoliation in which an application tool sprays microparticles against your skin to remove dead cells and embedded grime. The procedure is often done by a dermatologist and may also be done at home using an over-the-counter kit.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid squeezing blackheads, as this can stretch your pores and make them appear even larger. Apply translucent powder in a color that matches your skin tone to quickly and temporarily reduce the visibility of large pores. Wash the powder off as soon as possible to avoid clogged pores.
- Consult with your health care practitioner if your skin problems do not improve or if they worsen.
Things You'll Need
- Facial cleanser
- Makeup remover
- Exfoliant
- Skin toner
- Sunscreen
- Microdermabrasion procedure or kit
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