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Beauty

Pore Clarifying Products That Will Unclog All The Gunk From Your Face

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Beauty

Pore Clarifying Products That Will Unclog All The Gunk From Your Face

Spring-clean your skin with products that decongest pores for a clearer and more refined-looking complexion.

by Goh Yee Huay  /   June 24, 2022
pore clarifying

Get clean. Credit: Showbit

Let’s get this straight: There’s no way to permanently shrink or change the size of our pores. These tiny openings on the surface of skin do dilate or stretch to release oil and sweat — usually more so when skin’s sebum production spikes, or when the weather is hot. But their size is mainly determined by genes, with factors like hormones, ageing and sun damage further contributing to how big they look.

Dr Melvin Tan, medical director of Epion Clinic, says: “For younger patients in their 20s to 30s, enlarged pores tend to be the result of several things, including overactive oil glands and the clogging of pores by dead skin cells and other surface debris, which encourage the pore openings to remain dilated.”

READ MORE: Why Is Every Beauty Brand Suddenly All About Skin Barrier Repair?

He adds: “In more mature skin, these issues may play a role too. But there is also the degeneration of skin quality due to ageing to consider, with skin being unable to hold pores as tightly close as before.”

Still, even though pore size is something you’re born with, there are steps you can take to make pores appear smaller or look less obvious.

Dr Tan says a good way is simply to keep them clear of dead skin cells and sebum by exfoliating regularly, preventing pore openings from becoming clogged. Exfoliation also stimulates collagen production and skin renewal, thereby plumping skin and making its texture look smoother and finer.

READ MORE: Skin Vitality: Nº1 De Chanel’s Next-Gen Approach To Anti-Ageing

“Products and treatments that regulate oil production and exfoliate skin using ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and retinol are very effective in minimising the look of pores, especially for younger users. Regular deep cleansing facials and light acid peels help too,” he says.

“As skin matures, however, open pores are more like defects in the skin, similar to a scar. Achieving significant improvement often requires treatments such as laser rejuvenation or skin resurfacing.”


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https://www.femalemag.com.sg/gallery/beauty/pore-clarifying-serum-masks-products-beauty-skincare/
Pore Clarifying Products That Will Unclog All The Gunk From Your Face
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Pore-Tight Facial, $64, www.sephora.com
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It’s infused with hyaluronic acid to prevent dryness and discomfort, while it works to clear clogged pores. Besides watermelon enzymes, it also has BHA and PHA to exfoliate and refine skin. Finely-ground blueberry seed powder further boosts effects with a gentle physical polish.

Sephora
Herbivore Aquarius Pore Purifying Clarity Cream, $64, www.sephora.com
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A soothing moisturiser with blue tansy, this balances and hydrates oily-combination skin without leaving a greasy feel. White willow bark – a natural source of salicylic acid – purifies pores and refines skin texture, while zinc keeps shine in check.

Sephora
Garden Party Clay Mask, $72, Sigi Skin
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This pudding-like clay mask removes accumulated gunk, not moisture, so skin won’t feel tight and itchy. It’s enriched with the skin-repairing antioxidant, astaxanthin, as well as brightening extracts from camu camu and grapeseed. Rosemary provides antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action to keep zits at bay.

Sigi Skin
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask, $110, www.sephora.com
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Its minerals- and nutrients-rich clay is derived from the shores of Okinawa. For centuries, it’s been used by local women for its skin clarifying properties. Volcanic ash provides a subtle warming effect when applied, while Japanese konjac helps with exfoliation and decongestion.

Sephora
Dr. Jart+ Pore-remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum, $56, www.sephora.com
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For sensitive skin that doesn’t take well to exfoliators with AHAs and BHAs, this watery bi-phase serum with seven per cent PHA might be the answer. It also packs moisturising panthenol and macadamia seed oil to lock in moisture and improve skin’s suppleness. Fast-absorbing and non-greasy.

Sephora
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum 50ml, $195, www.sephora.com
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Clarify, brighten and smooth dull, congested skin with this fast-absorbing gel, which features a powerful blend of glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric and salicylic acids for highly effective chemical exfoliation. With its skin-friendly pH of 3.8, this sidesteps the potential side effects of AHAs like dryness and irritation.

Sephora
Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule, $51, Innisfree
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Get the skin-smoothing and renewing effects of retinol without the irritation. Using liposome technology to deliver green tea ceramide, hyaluronic acid and extracts of centella and green soybean deep into skin, this can be used for all sorts of skin troubles.

Innisfree
Sephora Collection Targeted Pores Serum, $32, Sephora
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This serum contains six per cent BHA and polyhydroxy acid (PHA). The latter works like AHAs, but is reportedly gentler as it doesn’t penetrate as deeply into skin. Expect tightened pores after a month’s use.

Sephora
Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser, $30, www.sephora.com
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With 5 per cent glycolic acid, soothing aloe vera, and moisturising avocado oil, it gently clears out oil and impurities from pores and resurfaces skin day by day for a fresh, luminous complexion. Mild enough for use by all skin types.

Sephora
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $48, Paula’s Choice
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With one sold every 12 seconds globally, it’s made of two per cent salicylic acid (a type of BHA) that prevents the build-up of blemish-causing sebum and dead skin cells, and antioxidant green tea to soothe irritation.

A version of this article first appeared in Her World

Sephora
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MCI (P) 032/12/2022. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2023 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.