Loofahs offer skin exfoliation, which helps clear pores.
There is an overwhelming amount of skin care products, tools and regimens that promise to minimize oil, hydrate or clear, and everything in between. Clogged pores are a major concern for many teens and adults.
Cleansers and Masks
Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are commonly found in cleansers designed to clear pores, because they dissolve dirt and rid pores of oil and sebum that causes pimples. Over-the-counter cleansers contain as much as 2.5 percent of this stuff. Higher levels, 5 to 10 percent, are available by prescription from your dermatologist. Many cleansers specifically formulated to clean pores also exfoliate skin with tiny beads or natural substances such as crushed walnut shell.
Clay-based masks are used to clear and tighten pores. Masks touted for their pore-clearing power also contain eucalyptus, mint or other natural astringent properties used to deep-clean and refresh skin.
Pore Strips
Bioré pioneered the pore strip innovation with its sticky strips designed for use in the "T-zone." With ingredients including witch hazel, known for its astringent properties, the strips go on skin wet, remain for 10 to 15 minutes to create a strong bond, and come off, pulling out dirt, oil and blackheads from pores.
Blackhead Remover
Double-ended blackhead removers extract blackheads from skin by using pressure. These tools are metal and have small egg-shaped holes at each end; one is slightly larger than the other and designed for use on larger surface areas. Manufacturers include Tweezerman and Revlon.
Suction Device
There are battery-operated devices that use suction to deep-clean pores priced at $25 or more as of 2010. Panasonic manufactures a model that sprays a fine water mist onto the skin to increase the suction that pulls out dirt and oil from the skin. These pore cleaners are available at many retailers, but are not as readily available as cleansers, pore strips and blackhead removers.
Tags: astringent properties, blackhead removers, blackheads from, clear pores, from skin