Blackheads and large pores? Step by step protocol to clear skin
Do you examine your face every day with a magnifying mirror to see if there’s a pimple or blackhead that developed overnight for you to pick? No judgement here. My hand is raised.
If you are someone who gets blackheads, whiteheads and congested pores regularly, this protocol is for you. It’s a facial treatment specifically for removing stubborn pore congestion without picking.
Be sure you have everything you need on hand before you start, because once your skin is prepped you’ll want to begin the extractions while your pores are still softened and open
What you’ll need:
- Cleanser – one with salicylic or lytic acids are good options to help reduce pore congestion: https://bestbeautyhacks.com/epionce
- Enzyme peel – https://bestbeautyhacks.com/enzymepeel
- Bowl or sink of warm water
- Facial sponges, or wash cloth: https://bestbeautyhacks.com/facesponge
- Face spatula – one with ultrasonic is preferred, this one is powerful: https://bestbeautyhacks.com/facespatula
- Desincrustation product: https://bestbeautyhacks.com/desincrustation
- Facial steamer: https://bestbeautyhacks.com/facesteamer
- Thermal spray like Avene or a spray bottle with water : https://bestbeautyhacks.com/Avene
- Calming sheet mask: https://bestbeautyhacks.com/calmsheetmask
- Light therapy: https://bestbeautyhacks.com/joovv
Prep
Prep is the key with this protocol, to ensure best results. If your skin isn’t prepped enough, you won’t get extractions and could damage your skin.
- Start with cleansing the skin. Be sure you’re using a cleanser that is effective for congested pores (salicylic acid, lytic acid).
- Apply an enzyme peel to soften and loosen. Manually massage the product into your skin 1-2 minutes. You’ll feel the peel working as the dead skin and debris loosens and starts to ball.
- With the flat, back side of a face spatula, turn on apply mode and press or infuse enzyme peel into your skin with the spatula, for 1-2 minutes.
- Using a wash cloth, remove enzyme with warm water
- Apply a desincrustation product to further soften and loosen
- Again, with the flat, back side of a face spatula, on apply mode, press or infuse desincrustation product into your skin with the spatula, for 1-2 minutes.
- Steam your face using a facial steamer for about 2 minutes to further soften the skin
Extract
The key with this step is using gentle pressure. Pressing too hard can leave marks and damage skin. Let the tool do the work with the ultrasonic.
- Using the edge of the facial spatula on extract mode, use a gentle upward motion
- Be sure to keep skin wet for slip, but also to help lift debris out of pores
- If you have trouble spots like the nose, using your other hand, wrap 2 fingers with a tissue to hold skin while gently holding the spatula on the other side of the trouble spot. The ultrasonic vibration and gentle pressure will encourage extractions.
- If you’re not seeing extractions, you may need to prep further to ensure your skin and pores have softened enough. It also may take a couple treatments to clear out more stubborn blackheads.
- Once you are done with extractions, wash your face to remove the desincrustation solution
Post treatment
Now that your pores are clear, it’s a good time to apply a calming sheet mask. Once you apply the mask, you can use the back side of the facial spatula on apply mode to increase the efficacy of the mask by infusing the calming ingredients into the skin.
If you have time, you can follow the mask with a light therapy session for healing.
Follow this with your regular non-comedogenic serums, moisturizer and sunscreen.
Try this 1-2 times a week, depending on severity of the congestion for clearer skin – without picking.
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*Disclaimer: This post is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided is for information purposes only Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or skin related diagnosis or treatment options. The statements made about specific products throughout this blog are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. It is important that you check labels to determine if a product is right for you. Before starting any treatment at home consult a health care or skin care professional to determine if it’s right for you.
*Disclosure: some links may be affiliate links where I may get a small commission at no additional cost to you.