Blackheads and clogged pores

[caylareagan]

Hey everyone! I’m looking for advice on which affordable product to choose for blackheads, clogged pores, and sebaceous filaments. I have suffered with clogged pores my whole life and it’s one of my biggest insecurities. I’m debating between The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner and the Caudalie Pore Minimizing & Glow Duo—both seem great, but I’d love to hear your thoughts! Also, if you have other inexpensive recommendations for blackheads from Sephora, let me know! 

[WinglessOne]

Hey @caylareagan! What’s your current skincare routine (brands + product names), from cleanser to sunscreen? I’m curious if you already use at least one product that contains salicylic acid. Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid), salicylic acid can get down into your pores to degunk ‘em. Do you already use a salicylic acid product? 

The Ordinary’s glycolic acid toner’s a good choice to help reduce bumpy skin texture, like closed comedones. But you mentioned blackheads. Glycolic acid and other AHAs (lactic acid, mandelic acid) aren’t super helpful for blackheads. Salicylic acid’s a much better option there. And I don’t see anything in the Caudalie duo that’d help with blackheads. 

Sebaceous filaments can’t really be removed with topically applied skincare products. Your skin needs those filaments to move sebum from your pores up onto your skin surface as a moisturizer. I know some folks (including me) sometimes get too much sebum coming up along those filaments, which looks like little whiteish dots (happens to me on my nose). Salicylic acid’s the answer here as well: using it even just once or twice a week can keep that overactivity in check.