If you have clogged pores you’ve probably heard many times before that it’s because you are not washing your face well enough. That’s not true. In fact, washing your face excessively or using hot water to wash your face will irritate your skin and cause your pores to close up. So, what are clogged pores? Oil and sweat escape through minute holes in the skin called pores. These pores can then become clogged with dirt, dead skin cells, toxins and other impurities. Changes to weather and hormones can increase sebum-the oil produced naturally by the skin-ultimately leading to pores that are clogged due to excess oil but what else is clogging your pores?

Makeup
Going to sleep without removing your makeup allows dirt, oil and pollutants that have collected on your skin throughout the day to sink into your skin and block your pores. Before you go to bed every night, make sure you’ve removed every trace of makeup with a makeup remover like Coco Oil. Next, wash your face and moisturise accordingly. Also try going makeup free on occasion to allow air to pass freely through your pores.

Contaminants
Our hands come in contact with millions of germs everyday from door handles to light switches. Rubbing or touching your face repeatedly with these contaminated hands transfers impurities from your hands to your face and pores become blocked as a result. Mobile phones also have surfaces riddled with germs and when pressed to your face, your phone can transfer those germs and irritate your skin. All you need to do is wipe down your phone often with a disinfectant wipe or use earpieces if you’ve run out of wipes.

Synthetics
Some synthetic ingredients used in skin or hair products such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) are considered very irritating to the skin. Also synthetic fabrics which are often made from oil byproducts and contain synthetic dyes are harsh on the skin and cause friction when they rub against sweating skin, leading to clogged pores.

Preventing Clogged Pores
You can prevent clogged pores by cleansing, toning and moisturising properly every day. This helps you get rid of residue and impurities on your skin that could cause problems later. Try steaming your face and masking at least once a week to open up and then clear your pores.
Now, your routine does not stop with just your skincare products. It also includes washing your bath and bed linens at the right time. Using a face towel or cleansing cloth that is not clean only means you are passing on dirt, germs, and bacteria to your skin whenever you cleanse and wipe your face. It’s like sowing seeds on rocky ground. The same applies to your pillowcases which collect oils from your skin while you sleep. To avoid wasted efforts, wash your face towels, cleansing cloths and pillowcases twice a week.

Do you know of other ways of preventing clogged pores? Share them with us below.