Recognizing Clogged Pores

• Clogged pores occur when bacteria and dead skin cells become trapped in pores. Blackheads are the biggest indicators of clogged pores. These appear as tiny dark dots on the nose and chin and are usually not noticeable unless you are looking closely at the skin.
  
  

Treating Clogged Pores

• Clogged pores are fairly easy to treat. Many skin-care brands produce their own lines of pore strips. These strips are made with an adhesive that binds to the skin and attracts oil and dirt. The strips remain on the skin for about 5 to 10 minutes before being removed. As the strip is pulled off, the blackheads, dirt and bacteria stick to the adhesive and are also lifted off the skin.
  
  

Preventing Clogged Pores

• By making small changes to your everyday skin routine, you can largely prevent your pores from clogging. Wash your face twice daily with a face wash that contains 2 percent salicylic acid. This beta-hydroxy acid works as an exfoliant, removing dead skin cells that may have built up in the pores. Toners and astringents can also be applied to the skin with cotton swabs or cotton balls to remove dirt that has made its way deep down into the skin.
  
  

When Acne Has Already Formed

• Because clogged pores can cause acne, you may have already experienced an outbreak. In this case, treat the acne, not the blackheads. The skin routine remains the same, but instead of using pore strips, look for a topical acne treatment. These can be bought in any drugstore or grocery store.
  
  

Consulting a Dermatologist

• For some people, over-the-counter acne treatments will not fix the problem. Some skin types have the inability to shed their own dead cells as well as others. In this case, a dermatologist is recommended. These doctors specialize in problem skin and can help find the right treatment for you.