Healthy skin is a natural consequence of cleanliness and hygiene. Yourskin isnot clean until the skin pores are unclogged and rid of all dirt and debris. Clogged skin pores suffocate the skin and promote acne and premature aging. Thus it is very important to keep your skin pores clean and prevent them from getting clogged.

What are Skin Pores?
Skin pores are invisible openings on the skin surface through which the skin breathes. It acts as an inlet for the active ingredients of skin care products to get absorbed and outlet for body fluids like sweat and perspiration. In healthy conditions, the skin pores are neither clogged with dead skin cells nor are they plugged with sebum. It is only because of environmental conditions and external factors that skin pores become clogged with dirt.

Functions of Skin Pores
Outlet for Sweat and Oil – Skin pores are the openings for hair follicles and sweat glands that expel out sweat and sebum particles.

Inlet for Ingredients – Though the skin acts as a shield against external substances, the skin pores allow substances like ingredients of skin care products to penetrate into the body. Substances like retinoids, vitamins and nano-particles enter the skin via skin pores.

Damage of Skin Pores
Skin pores get damaged when they become enlarged. With time, the skin pores get clogged with dirt, debris and excess oil residues. When the size of the contents becomes larger than the pores themselves, then they get stretched and enlarged. Enlarged pores further become whiteheads and blackheads. This condition is particularly common in people with oily or acne prone skin, especially along the nose, chin, forehead and back.

The damage happens because stretched pores are unable to regain their original shape and size in spite of extreme cleansing and conditioning. Therefore, one must aim to prevent the clogging of skin pores.


How to Take Care of Skin Pores?

Wash your Face Regularly
The best way to ensure skin cleanliness is to wash your face regularly. It not only ensures the skin is clear of excess oil residues but also minimizes the risk of skin pores getting clogged with sebum. Use a good cleanser that contains alpha hydroxy acid like glycolic acid or lactic acid. Do this twice a day and usually no more.

Try iS Clinical Cleansing Complex by Innovative Skincare. It is great for resurfacing and deep cleaning the skin. The best thing about the product is that it is anti-acneic and can be used safely on all skin types, even sensitive skin. It is powerful yet doesn’t leave the skin excessively dry. The cleansing complex contains potent antioxidants to fight free radicals.

Extract Blackheads and Whiteheads
Another way to keep your skin pores clear if to manually extract the blackheads and whiteheads. However, if you don’t do it the right way you can end up pushing the bacteria further inside and that could aggravate the situation.

Exfoliate the Skin Regularly
Use a gentle scrub of exfoliating lotion to scrape off dead skin cells from the skin surface. However, take care not to over-exfoliate your skin or your skin becomes excessively dry and irritated. Exfoliate once or twice a week in order to scrub off all dead skin cells and accompanying dirt and debris from the skin surface.

Deep-Cleanse You Skin
Another efficient way to make sure your skin pores are clean and don't get clogged unnecessarily is by deep cleansing. Use a good cleanser that contains purifying agents and other cleansing ingredients that clean your skin and eliminate all dirt, debris and impurities from within. There are cleansers that gently exfoliate your skin as well and leave it smooth and clear.

Effective cleansing removes blackheads and helps control acne as well. Try using Obagi Nu Derm Foaming Gel. It is a great combination of Aloe Vera, natural herbs and natural cleansers. It rids your skin off all accumulated pollutants and impurities and removes excess oil particles without disturbing the natural moisture levels of the skin. It is suitable for all skin types and leaves the skin silky soft.

Another great cleanser is Obagi C-Cleansing Gel. It conditions the skin gently with Vitamin C and removes all residues of make-up, excessive oil particles and accumulated impurities leaving your skin fresh and clean.