About 50 million people get acne every year.
And the leading cause, according to Cleveland Clinic, is clogged pores.
The upside? Clogged pores usually clear up with the right skin care.
Here’s what plugs them, what each bump means and the 5-step routine that clears them.
What Are Clogged Pores?
Clogged pores are pores blocked by a plug of dead skin cells, oil and dirt, and they can lead to acne when bacteria grow inside. Each plug is a comedo, which the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) calls the medical term for blackheads and whiteheads.
Your pores let oil and sweat out of your glands. The oil, called sebum, comes from your sebaceous glands.
So when those glands make extra sebum, or dead skin builds up faster than it sheds, the opening gets blocked.
What Causes Clogged Pores?
Clogged pores come from a buildup of dead skin cells, oil or dirt, and Cleveland Clinic lists 4 main causes:
- Oily skin from your age, hormones or genetics
- Dry skin, or skin that makes extra skin cells
- Face products, like cleansers, lotions and makeup
- Medications that change how much oil you make
That’s why clogged pores peak in the teen years, when hormones push oil glands into overdrive.
Humidity, stress, picking, hard scrubbing and gear that rubs, like helmets and workout gear, make clogs worse. You control most of those.
What Clogged Pores Look Like
Clogged pores usually look like tiny white or skin-colored bumps (whiteheads) or dark dots (blackheads), and deeper clogs turn into red pimples or painful lumps. Here’s what each one means:
- Whiteheads: The pore closes over the plug, leaving a small white or flesh-colored bump.
- Blackheads: The pore stays open, and oxidation, the plug reacting with oxygen in the air, turns it dark.
- Papules and pustules: Oil, bacteria and debris push deeper and cause inflammation, so you get hard red bumps, some with a center of pus.
- Nodules and cysts: Deep, painful clogs that often scar.
The biggest myth? That blackheads are dirt.
The AAD says the black dots aren’t dirt, so scrubbing won’t help and only makes acne worse.
Not every dark dot is a clog, though. Gray dots across your nose may be sebaceous filaments, and one extra-large blackhead may be a dilated pore of Winer.
How to Unclog Pores at Home
You can unclog pores at home in 5 steps: wash gently twice a day, moisturize, use a retinoid at night, add a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid wash, and switch to non-comedogenic products. Here’s the order:
- Wash twice a day. Cleveland Clinic advises a gentle non-comedogenic cleanser and warm, not hot, water. On oily skin, a face wash for oily skin with that label works well.
- Use an oil-free moisturizer. Dry skin is one cause of clogs, so don’t skip it.
- Use a retinoid at night. Dermatologists recommend a retinoid to unclog pores, says the AAD, and you can buy the retinoid adapalene without a prescription. It’s one of several retinoids for your face.
- Add benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. The same group pairs the retinoid with a benzoyl peroxide wash, or suggests salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, for red, early pimples.
- Go non-comedogenic. That label means a product won’t clog pores, so check your makeup and sunscreen for oily skin.
Note: Retinol, retinoids and salicylic acid can cause irritation, so add one new ingredient at a time.
Want a full morning and night plan? This skincare routine for oily skin puts the steps in order.
Should You Squeeze Clogged Pores?
No, you shouldn’t squeeze clogged pores, because picking makes them worse. Cleveland Clinic says to never pick at or pop pimples.
That goes for the strands you squeeze from nose pores too. If a clog really needs to come out, leave the extraction to a dermatologist.
How Long It Takes to Clear Clogged Pores
Clogged pores usually take 6 to 8 weeks of steady treatment to clear. The AAD says to give treatment six to eight weeks before deciding it isn’t working.
So don’t judge a product after a week or two, and take a photo on day 1 to compare.
How to Keep Pores From Clogging Again
You keep pores from clogging again by sticking with your routine, keeping oils off your face and touching your skin only with clean hands. Cleveland Clinic advises against face oils such as coconut oil, olive oil or jojoba oil.
It also suggests gentle exfoliation, like light scrubbing or an occasional chemical peel. The best prevention is a daily skin care routine that fits your age, skin type and skin concerns.
Just know that clogged pores and big pores aren’t the same problem. Enlarged pores also come from aging, hair follicles and sun damage from UV rays, so shrinking your pores takes a different plan.
When to See a Dermatologist
See a dermatologist for clogged pores when bumps are painful, swollen or full of pus, when you have nodules or cysts, or when blemishes remain after 6 to 8 weeks of treatment.
The AAD says nodules and cysts need a dermatologist’s help, and the sooner you start, the fewer scars you’ll have.
For stubborn clogs, including a deep one that never comes to a head, a dermatologist may extract the plug or prescribe stronger acne treatment.
The Bottom Line
Most clogged pores clear at home with a gentle routine and 6 to 8 weeks of patience.
Tonight, wash with a non-comedogenic cleanser, apply adapalene and set a week-8 reminder.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell if my pores are clogged?
Your pores are clogged if you see whiteheads, blackheads or small bumps that make your skin feel rough. Cleveland Clinic says there’s no test, so a dermatologist simply examines your skin.
Can makeup cause clogged pores?
Yes, makeup can cause clogged pores, and Cleveland Clinic lists cosmetics among the face products that clog them. Choose makeup labeled non-comedogenic or oil-free.
Can you get clogged pores on your back and chest?
Yes, clogged pores can form on your back and chest, plus your scalp, neck and shoulders, according to Cleveland Clinic. Backpacks and tight clothes that rub can make them worse.
