Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Steam your skin
• Method 2 of 3: Thoroughly cleanse your face
• Method 3 of 3: Using natural remedies
• Tips
• Warnings

If you have acne, your pores are likely to be clogged with grease and dirt. The size and appearance of your pores are genetic and cannot be changed, but there are ways to thoroughly cleanse your skin and get rid of the open blackheads that seem to make your pores more visible. For example, to soften the dirt and grease, you can steam your face before washing, but your skin can dry out if you do this too often. You can also use masks and peels to really get your skin clean.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Steam your skin

1. Wash your facial skin with your favorite cleanser. To get the most benefit from your steam treatment, start by washing your face. This allows the steam to penetrate deeper into your pores to remove grease and dirt particles that have become trapped there.
   • If your skin is dry and you get rosacea quickly, you may want to avoid using steam. Steam can dry out your skin and make it redder.
2. Fill a large saucepan with water and heat the water to a boil. Find a large pan, such as one that you use to make pasta or a large amount of soup. Fill the pan about two thirds with water. Put the pan on the stove and heat the water over a high heat until it just boils.
   • Do not fill the pan all the way to the brim. The water can boil over and it will be difficult to move the pan without spilling water.

   Tip: put some rose petals, lavender petals, rosemary leaves or eucalyptus leaves in the water for their scent and detoxifying properties. You can also use essential oils if you prefer.

   
   
3. Place the pan on a mat or a folded towel. Find a place where you can sit, stand or kneel comfortably and place the pan there. However, make sure to put a coaster or folded towel underneath the pan so that the hot pan doesn't burn the surface underneath.
   • For example, you can sit on your knees in a chair by the dining table or place the pan on a bathroom cabinet.
4. Cover your head with a towel. Grab a large, thick towel and put it over your head. Just make sure it doesn't cover your face. This way you stop the steam and more steam comes into contact with your face.
   • A thick towel stops the steam better than a thin towel, but you can also just use whatever you have at home.
5. Hold your face as close to the steaming water as possible for 5 to 10 minutes. Lower your face over the pan so that the towel hangs down from either side of the pan. Keep your face at least 18 inches from the pan or you could burn your skin. Try to keep your face 50 to 60 centimeters above the water. Do this for 5 minutes, or 10 minutes if it is not too unpleasant.
   • If you find it too uncomfortable to hold your face 50 to 60 centimeters above the pan, then it is fine to hold your face slightly higher above the pan.
   • Contrary to popular belief, steam does not cause your pores to open. It relaxes the muscles under your skin and makes your skin easier to clean, helping to remove the dirt deep inside your skin.
6. Wash your face again with a mild cleanser. Steaming helps to remove grease and dirt particles from your pores so that they end up on the skin's surface. Moreover, it makes you sweat, which can also cause impurities to end up on your facial skin. To prevent dirt from entering your pores again, wash your skin with a mild cleanser after the steam treatment.
   • Use a mild, unscented facial cleanser.
7. Treat your face with a moisturizer to counteract the moisture deficiency caused by the steam. Steam can greatly dry out your skin, so it's important to use a moisturizer after steaming and washing your face. You don't need to use a special moisturizer for this. You can use any light moisturizer for the face.
   • You can do this treatment up to once a week, unless you have very dry skin.

Method 2 of 3: Thoroughly cleanse your face

1. Wash your face to remove the dirt from your pores. If you see that you have a lot of blackheads, start by washing your skin. You get open blackheads, or black dots, when grease and dirt particles remain in your pores. Gently wash your face with your regular cleanser and lukewarm water to get the dirt out of your pores.
   • Treat your facial skin with toner after washing to rebalance your skin's pH.
   • Do not wash your face twice, as this will remove too much natural oil from your face and your skin may become too dry.
2. Exfoliate your face 2 or 3 times a week to remove dirt and dead skin. Exfoliating means that you gently rub away any dead skin cells, grease, and dirt particles that have accumulated on the skin's surface. You can do this in several ways. However, it is best to use a chemical exfoliator if you are prone to acne breakouts. Such a product works better than a manual exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and clean your pores without causing skin irritation.
   • Be careful not to scrub your skin too hard as you can irritate your skin.
   • If you have sensitive skin, don't exfoliate your skin more than once a week or once every two weeks.
   • Always use a moisturizer after exfoliating.

   Did you know? You can make your own facial scrub with ingredients such as green tea, honey and sugar, or coconut oil, sugar and lemon.

   
   
3. Use a face mask to remove impurities from the skin. Many masks stretch the skin when they dry, which can help pull impurities out of your clogged pores. Go to a department store or drug store to purchase a mask that is right for your skin type. Then apply the mask and let it soak in according to the directions on the package. When you are done, you will need to peel or rinse the mask off your face. You may also be able to simply pull the mask off your face if you have used a so-called sheet mask.
   • Clay masks nourish your skin very well and activated charcoal masks are very good for detoxifying your skin.
   • You can make your own face mask at home if you wish.
4. Opt for a chemical peel to remove the top layer of skin. A chemical peel uses strong chemicals to remove grease, dirt and skin cells from the top layer of skin, leaving your skin clean, pure and looking fresh again. If you've never had a chemical peel before, it's best to see a dermatologist or esthetician. However, you can also buy pads to give yourself a chemical peel.
   • If you opt for home treatment, follow the directions on the package carefully. Failure to do so can damage your skin, turn red and become irritated.
   • Whether you opt for a home treatment or a professional peel, your skin will likely be sensitive and sore for a day or two afterwards.
5. If you have stubborn clogged pores, see a dermatologist to have your blackheads removed. Your dermatologist can use a comedone spoon to quickly and accurately remove dirt from your pores. If you keep suffering from blackheads and pimples, the doctor can also prepare a personal skin care plan for you.
   • The dermatologist can also give you a microneedling treatment, which involves inserting small needles into your skin to remove open blackheads. In addition, you can go to your dermatologist for microdermabrasion, where the doctor uses a small, portable device to exfoliate the top layer of skin.
   • To reduce the chance of painful skin irritation and even infections, do not try to remove your blackheads yourself at home.
6. Talk to your dermatologist about the possible causes of your clogged pores. Your pores can also become clogged from excessive sweating, hormones, and medications. Tell your dermatologist if you have more acne and clogged pores than usual so that your doctor can recommend solutions. Your dermatologist may recommend that you use a particular acne treatment, change your skincare routine, or undergo a special skin treatment to reduce clogged pores.
   • For example, if your pores become clogged because you sweat excessively, your dermatologist may recommend washing your face more often.
   • If your pores are clogged with aging and sagging skin that stretches your pores, your dermatologist may be able to recommend a remedy to firm your skin.

Method 3 of 3: Using natural remedies

1. Boil parsley to get impurities out of your skin. Put a handful of parsley in a pan of water and bring to the boil. When the water is boiling vigorously, turn off the gas and let the water and parsley cool. Dip a washcloth in the water while it is still warm and pleasant to the touch and squeeze out the excess water. Then put the washcloth on your face for 10 to 15 minutes.
   • Parsley has an astringent effect, which means that it cleanses and tightens your skin. Some skincare products even contain parsley extracts.
   • You can also use thyme if you prefer.
   • You can perform this treatment every other day.
2. Make a baking soda paste to cleanse your skin. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons (15 grams) of baking soda with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of water until a paste forms. Massage the paste into your face and leave it on for about 5 minutes. Then rinse your face. As the baking soda dries it will pull the dirt out of your skin.
   • You can do this once a week.
3. Rub your face with a lemon for a mild exfoliation. Cut a lemon in half and then run the inside of one of the halves over the areas on your skin where you have clogged pores and open blackheads. Let the lemon juice soak into your skin for about 5 minutes, then rinse your skin with cool water.
   • The acid in the lemon helps to break down dirt, grease and old skin cells. However, it can irritate your skin if you let the juice sit on your skin for more than 5 minutes.
   • If you experience discomfort before 5 minutes, rinse your skin with cool water.
4. Use rose water as a toner. Apply enough rose water to a cotton ball to moisten it, then rub the cotton ball over your skin. The rose water will gently tighten your skin without causing skin irritation. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can even help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
   • You can buy a rose water toner or make your own rose water.

Tips

• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated. This can help make your pores less visible.

Warnings

• Don't squeeze your blackheads to try to remove them. A sebaceous gland may burst, making the problem worse. If the skin breaks, you are also susceptible to infections.