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ELLE's Guide To Taking Care Of Your Pores And The Best Facial Pore Cleansers To Try
Clearer, fresher skin, right this way!
Contrary to popular belief, you can't actually close or open your pores. But, what you can do is give them a good, thorough cleanse. 'The size of your pores is mainly caused by an increase in oil production from sebaceous glands,' says consultant dermatologist Dr. Jinah Yoo at Maylin x Dr. Jinah Yoo Dermatology.
Everyday aggressors, such as pollution and grime, that often come with oily skin can lead to the formation of blackheads, blemishes, and yes, pores that appear enlarged. According to Dr. Yoo, depleted supportive collagen can also make your pores more visible. Thankfully, there are easy ways to keep your pores clean which will in turn, help minimise their appearance.
Best facial pore cleanser
- Best for fragrance-free: Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse, £24
- Best tool: Geske Sonic Thermo Facial Brush, £39.95
- Best for oily and combination skin: Dr Jart+ Pore Remedy Renewing Foam Cleanser, £22
- Best for dry skin: Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser, £20
- Editor's choice: Sarah Chapman Skinesis Rapid Radiance Cleanse, £43
How to take care of your pores
A consistent skincare routine is key to managing your complexion. 'Start with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil and impurities. Then look to incorporate a chemical exfoliant containing ingredients such as salicylic acid (a BHA) to help unclog pores and remove dead skin cells,' suggests consultant dermatologist, Dr. Anjali Mahto at Self London. She's a big fan of niacinamide and retinoids to 'regulate oil production and refine the appearance of pores over time'.
Charcoal is also an excellent contender, adds pro-facialist Debbie Thomas. 'It has long been accepted that charcoal has a cleansing effect on the skin,' she says. 'It is often recommended for oily skin types because it absorbs excess sebum without drying the skin and purges pores of impurities.' She continues: 'This action of deep cleansing means pores will appear more refined and less visible, and skin will feel softer and smoother.'
To protect your skin barrier, try using exfoliating acids only on the necessary areas - such as nose or chin - rather than the whole face. As for manual, DIY blackhead removal, the general consensus among skin experts is: don't do it. 'I find overzealous steaming and squeezing old-fashioned and can sometimes enlarge the pores and scar, which I end up fixing with my laser,' explains Natasha Clancy, aesthetician and founder of Kichi Studio. 'The problems keep coming back, so I prefer to educate my clients in chemicals and management.'
What in-clinic treatments are best for clogged pores?
In-clinic, Kichi offers Hydrafacials as the first step, before going in with BHAs and a suction pore device to gently take care of blackheads. New laser technology AviClear (available at Self London) does wonders for those with active blemishes. 'It is an FDA-approved laser treatment designed for moderate to severe acne, which is often associated with clogged and congested pores, papules and pustules,' explains Dr. Mahto. 'AviClear targets the sebaceous glands, regulating sebum production to promote clearer skin over time.'
How we test the best facial pore cleansers
Ingredients are paramount, and the formulas that made ELLE's cut all feature clinically-proven ingredients well-loved by skin experts such as niacinamide and salicylic acid. Since pores are present on every skin type, it's key that there is something to suit every complexion, from creamy textures that are kind on dry and sensitive skins to foaming gels that tackles excess oils. We spend at least a month trialling each cleanser, although it's worth mentioning that most products in this list are tried and true favourites that's been in our rotation for much longer. For those with persistent acne, a cleanser will help to manage the condition, but it's worth booking in with your GP or dermatologist to identify the root cause of the issue, or consider the in-clinic treatments mentioned above.
Ahead, see the best facial pore cleansers to keep skin feeling fresh and looking clear.
Our go-to brand for when our skin plays up, Medik8's fragrance-free cleanser unclogs pores whilst gently exfoliating - ideal for city dwellers who are constantly exposed to pollution and grime.
Upgrade your cleansing routine with Geske's facial brush. This German-made techy tool emits a gentle warmth to loosen the sebum in your pores and prepare your skin to reap the benefits of your cleanser. The pulses offer a quick massage as your cleanse while the soft bristles helps with mild exfoliation.
Rather than using moisture-stripping ingredients, this jelly-to-foam cleanser uses surfactants derived from amino acids to thoroughly de-gunk and tackle blemishes without leaving the skin feeling tight.
Caudalie's Vinopure range treats sore blemishes with velvet gloves, nixing spots without further upsetting the skin barrier. This salicylic acid-infused cleanser that promises to clarify congested skin while maintaining comfort thanks to soothing aloe vera and grape water. The minty scent is refreshingly pleasant, too.
Despite the delicious creamy texture and spa-like scent, this clever formula features clinically-proven actives such as lactic acid to gently exfoliate without disrupting the skin barrier and salicylic acid to tackle blemish-causing clogged pores. Kaolin and green clay also helps to minimise new formation of spots while lightweight plant oils ensure the skin stays plush and comfortable. Use it on damp skin, or leave on as a mask for two minutes to perk up fatigued skin.
Niacinamide is the hard-working ingredient dermatologists turn to for not only blemish-prevention, but also brightening and hydrating benefits. When in doubt, a niacinamide-rich formula is your best bet. This lightweight jelly texture thoroughly cleanses without aggravating sensitive complexions, and doubles as a mask. Just leave on for five minutes and rinse off.
This cleanser combines the brightening benefits of its breakthrough Melasyl ingredient to nix hyperpigmentation with niacinamide and polyhydroxy acid to maintain clarity and radiance.
If you're planning a vacation, don't forget to pop this portable silicone cleansing brush into your travel kit. It provides skin with a thorough cleanse and much-needed massage after a long day of adventures.
This pore cleanser uses a team of gentle acid exfoliators to slough away dullness-causing dead skin whilst niacinamide keeps skin feeling hydrated and maintains clarity.
001 London Exfoliating & Conditioning Silk Gel Cleanser
We can't recommend booking in for a session with acupuncturist and facialist Ada Ooi enough; her holistic treatments will leave you feeling lighter and looking significantly fresher. To prolong the glow, incorporate her thoughtfully-crafted skincare line into your routine. This lightweight cleanser uses a combination of lactic and salicylic acid to clear out clogged pores and encourage radiance.
Not all physical exfoliators are formulated alike. This one by Tatcha has just the slightest hint of grittiness to help refine pores without creating any micro-tears on the skin or causing any flare ups. The creamy, oil-free formula is perfect for sensitive and oily complexions, leaving it feeling clean and looking smoother than ever.
Yes, this potent cleanser is well-loved in skincare circles for its ability to tackle dirt and prevent future breakouts (that's the salicylic acid for you). But beyond that, this gel formula also imparts an instant, lit-from-within luminosity thanks to vitamin C and glycolic acid.
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
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