Are you making this mistake when cleansing your pores?

Many people want perfect complexion and obsess over staying acne and pigmentation-free. But there’s one skin imperfection that’s commonly overlooked: pores. 

We often think that there’s little we can do about  pores, or that EVERYONE has pores. 

The latter is true – but don’t be like everyone and ignore taking care of your pores. They are, in fact, the gateway to many skin conditions we want to prevent in the first place (e.g. acne, blackheads, oily skin). 

Deep pore cleansing has immense benefits; when done right, it can result in smooth, clear skin. In this article, we talk about why it is needed and how to do it properly. 

Understanding pores and their functions

If you want healthy skin, it’s absolutely crucial to understand the function of your pores. 

Pores are tiny openings on the surface of our skin that serve several essential functions: 

• Maintain skin hydration and elasticity: Pores act as a gateway for our body’s natural oils to reach the surface of our skin. Sebum, produced by the sebaceous glands located within our pores, is vital for maintaining skin hydration and elasticity. This natural oil prevents dryness, protecting our skin from environmental damage.

• Clear toxins: Our pores contain sweat glands, which produce sweat to cool down our body during physical exertion or high temperatures. Sweat carries waste materials and toxins from our body and expels them through the pores, keeping our internal systems clean.

• Temperature regulation and sensory function: Each pore contains a hair follicle, which can grow into body hair that can aid in temperature regulation and sensory function. However, these exact functional roles are the same ones that make our pores vulnerable to becoming clogged with dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. It is these impurities that will lead to skin issues like acne and blackhead outbreaks.

The importance of deep pore cleansing

People often underestimate the importance of deep pore cleansing. Its significance extends beyond mere aesthetic concerns, as deep pore cleansing is fundamental to both the function and overall health of our skin.

One of the primary functions of  deep pore cleansing is the prevention of skin conditions like acne outbreaks. Acne occurs when pores become clogged with excess sebum and dead skin cells. Therefore, it makes sense to regularly use deep pore cleansers to remove these impurities. In doing so, you significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing breakouts.

Next, clogged pores often cause the skin to appear dull and uneven. Deep pore cleansers or facials directed at pores can remove this build up, revealing smoother and healthier skin underneath. Additionally, deep pore cleansing also improves the absorption of skincare products, ultimately allowing your skin to look more radiant. 

Techniques for deep pore cleansing

There are a few ways you can deep cleanse your pores. Each method is unique in its benefits, and works differently.

Exfoliation: This involves using a scrub or brush to remove the outer layer of dead skin cells. Exfoliation can help to unclog pores and promote the growth of new skin cells. There are two types of exfoliation: physical, which involves manually scrubbing the skin, and chemical, which uses acids or enzymes to remove dead skin cells.

Clay Masks: These masks contain ingredients like bentonite or kaolin clay that absorb excess oil and draw out impurities from deep within your pores.

Charcoal Products: Activated charcoal is known for its ability to absorb toxins. Skincare products with this ingredient can help pull out dirt, oil, and other debris that are clogging your pores.

Professional Treatments: Several professional treatments, such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels, offer deep pore cleansing. Microdermabrasion is a procedure that exfoliates the skin and removes the superficial layer of dry, dead skin cells. Chemical peels involve applying a chemical solution to the skin that causes it to exfoliate and eventually peel off, revealing newer, less damaged skin beneath.

Oil Cleansing: This technique uses oil to cleanse the skin. The oil is massaged onto the skin to dissolve the sebum that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in the pores.

Tips for effective deep pore cleansing

Effective deep pore cleansing requires some pre-planning and consideration. 

• Understand your skin type

Oily skin, for example, may respond well to clay masks or charcoal products that absorb excess oil, while dry or sensitive skin might benefit from gentler methods like oil cleansing.

• Be consistent 

Deep pore cleansing isn’t a one-time event; it needs to be part of your regular skincare regimen. This means deep cleansing your skin once or twice a week, but not too often as it could dry out and irritate your skin.

• Prepare your skin right 

Before you start the deep cleansing process, try to prepare your skin by using warm water or steam to open your pores. This makes your skin more receptive to the deep cleansing.

• Do it right 

Above all, and most importantly, make sure you’re deep cleansing correctly with proper technique – all instructions followed. For instance, if you’re exfoliating, be gentle to avoid damaging your skin. Over-exfoliation or being too rough during the process can irritate the skin and potentially harm your skin barrier. After which, remember to follow up with a toner to help tighten and close your pores, and a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. 

Correct deep pore cleansing must be done almost impeccably to ensure satisfying results. Most clients find this process almost too tedious to do at home, and would prefer to leave it in the hands of a professional. 

Start your deep pore cleansing with SkinLab

Adding a deep pore cleanse to your skincare regime can give you the clear, vibrant complexion you’ve dreamt of. Let our team of experienced, well-trained therapists help you to achieve the best skin possible with deep pore cleansers and treatments. At SkinLab, Singapore’s largest medical spa chain, our team uses the best tools and treatment options in Singapore to give you the clean and clear skin you deserve.

Make an appointment with us now.