Quick Answer
It’s common for some people to have one pore that seems to get clogged more than others. This can happen for a few reasons:
- The pore is simply larger than the surrounding pores, making it more prone to clogs.
- The pore is located in an area that produces more oil and dead skin cells, like the nose or chin.
- There is an ingrown hair or other debris stuck deep within the pore that is difficult to extract.
While annoying, a persistently clogged pore is usually not a major cause for concern. Proper skin care and exfoliation can help reduce clogs. See a dermatologist if the clogged pore becomes inflamed or infected.
What Causes Clogged Pores?
Clogged pores form when the opening of the pore becomes blocked with oil, dead skin cells, makeup, environmental pollutants, or bacteria. Pores can become clogged for a variety of reasons:
Oil Production
The sebaceous glands attached to each hair follicle produce an oily substance called sebum. Sebum helps keep the skin moisturized and protected. However, when the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, the excess oil can cause pores to become clogged.
Areas with many oil glands, like the nose, forehead, and chin, are especially prone to clogged pores. Hormonal changes related to puberty, menstruation, and stress can also trigger increased sebum production and clogged pores.
Dead Skin Cells
The top layer of skin constantly sheds dead skin cells. Normally, these dead cells easily detach and fall away. However, sometimes they can stick together and clog pores. Skin conditions like dry skin can cause dead skin cells to build up and stick together more readily.
Bacteria
Acne is caused by the bacteria Cutibacterium acnes (also called Propionibacterium acnes). This bacteria lives on everyone’s skin. In some people, the bacteria populate excessively inside pores and cause inflammation. This can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
Makeup and Other Products
Heavy makeup such as foundations, concealers, and primers can clog pores, especially oil-based products. Using makeup tools that harbor bacteria can also introduce microbes into pores and lead to clogs.
Other skincare and haircare products like lotions, sunscreens, and pomades contain ingredients that can build up inside pores. Not properly removing products at the end of the day is a common cause of clogged pores.
Medications
Certain medications like corticosteroids, lithium, androgenic hormones, or medications that contain iodine can cause hormonal changes that increase oil production and clogged pores. Some epilepsy drugs have also been linked to exacerbating acne.
Environment
Exposure to pollutants, toxins, and irritants in the air can also congest pores. Cigarette smoke, smog, soot, and airborne chemicals from factories and cars are common environmental causes of clogged pores. The particulate matter adheres to sebum and debris already in pores, trapping it inside.
Are Clogged Pores Permanent?
Clogged pores themselves are not permanent, as pores do not actually shrink or stretch. However, they can be difficult to fully unclog once debris, dead skin, and oils build up inside.
With proper cleansing, exfoliation, and care, the contents filling a clogged pore can usually be removed. This will allow the pore to open up again and resume its normal function.
Sometimes, a clogged pore may remain blocked for longer if:
- The clog is very deep or dense
- There is scarring of the pore opening
- An underlying condition is contributing to recurring clogs
Very enlarged pores can also be more prone to getting repeatedly clogged. With consistent skin care though, even enlarged, scarred, or frequently clogged pores can open up again.
Can You Permanently Shrink Pores?
The pores themselves do not actually shrink or become bigger. However, pores can appear smaller when cleared of debris, or look enlarged when clogged.
Methods like facials, chemical peels, lasers, and microneedling can help clear away dead skin and debris to reduce the visible size of pores. However, these effects are temporary.
Likewise, astringent ingredients like witch hazel, zinc, and retinoids can temporarily tighten the skin around pores to make them appear smaller. But the pore openings return to their normal size once the products are no longer being used.
The only permanent way to reduce pore appearance is laser resurfacing treatments like Fraxel. This removes the upper layer of skin containing the pores. As the skin regenerates, new pores will form but they will be less noticeable. Multiple treatments are usually needed for significant pore reduction.
Other pore appearance minimizers include:
- Using oil-free moisturizers and matte makeup
- Regular exfoliation to remove dead skin
- Clay masks to absorb excess oil
- Reducing skin inflammation
Consistent skin care and healthy lifestyle habits can produce longer lasting results in minimizing the look of pores. But pores naturally return to their baseline size once the outside influence is removed.
Can Clogged Pores Cause Other Skin Problems?
While clogged pores themselves are relatively harmless, they can progress into more troublesome skin ailments if not properly treated. Potential problems caused by clogged pores include:
Acne
One of the most common skin conditions that develops from clogged pores is acne. Acne forms when clogged pores become infected with acne-causing bacteria. This results in whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, cysts, and nodules.
Acne usually appears on the face, back, chest, and shoulders—areas with many oil glands. Hormonal acne triggered by puberty or menstruation often stems from pores clogged by excess sebum.
Enlarged Pores
With repeated clogging, pores can stretch out and permanently expand. The debris filling the pore stretches the pore walls, causing it to dilate.
Overtime, this repeated dilation can prevent the pore from contracting back to its original size. The result is enlarged, gaping pores all over the face and body.
Scarring
Picking at clogged pores can damage the pore and cause scarring. This is especially true for severe acne blemishes which penetrate deep into the skin.
Popping pimples can rupture the pore walls and the skin surrounding it. As the skin heals, it can cause raised or pitted scarring.
Hyperpigmentation
Dark spots and patches often emerge after an acne breakout. This post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is caused by acne inflammation stimulating melanin production.
Popping or picking at pimples can also lead to dark spots at the site. The trauma causes excess melanin to be produced as the skin mends.
Infection
Bacteria thrives inside a clogged pore, turning it into an infectious lesion. Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterial strain that can infect clogged pores and hair follicles.
In some cases, the infection penetrates deeper into the skin tissue and spreads, requiring antibiotic treatment. Cellulitis and folliculitis are examples of infections caused by clogged pores.
Are Recurring Clogged Pores a Sign of an Underlying Condition?
While the occasional clogged pore is normal, pore clogs that recur in the same area could signal an underlying issue. Some conditions that can cause repeated pore blockages include:
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormone fluctuations during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can increase oil production and dead skin cell buildup. This leads to recurrent clogged pores and acne breakouts.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Women with PCOS have higher levels of androgens like testosterone. These male hormones overstimulate the sebaceous glands, causing excessive sebum production and repeated pore blockages.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
This genetic disorder involves the adrenal glands producing too much testosterone, especially in females. The excess androgens lead to oily skin and frequent clogged pores.
Cushing’s Disease
High levels of the hormone cortisol caused by Cushing’s disease can kick sebum production into overdrive. This results in chronic inflammatory acne and clogged pores.
Genetic Predisposition
Studies suggest genetics account for over 80% of acne cases. People may simply be genetically prone to having oilier skin and pores that clog easily. Ethnicity may also play a role.
Medications
Certain prescription drugs like corticosteroids, testosterone, epilepsy drugs, or lithium can trigger recurrent clogged pores as a side effect. Changing medications may help.
Stress
Stress hormones like cortisol increase oil production. Stress also impairs immune function and healthy skin cell turnover. This combination can result in frequent pore blockages.
If no underlying cause can be found, working with a dermatologist to adjust your skin care routine may help reduce recurring clogged pores in the same spots.
How to Prevent Clogged Pores
You can help prevent pores from becoming clogged by:
- Washing your face twice daily, and after sweating heavily
- Exfoliating 2-3 times a week to remove dead skin cells
- Using oil-free and non-comedogenic makeup and lotions
- Shampooing regularly if you have oily hair
- Cleansing makeup brushes every couple weeks
- Avoiding picking/popping existing pimples
- Using a clay mask weekly to absorb excess oil
- Taking medication for hormonal acne if needed
- Moisturizing to prevent overdrying that can increase oil production
- Limiting stress when possible
Following a consistent skin care routine suited to your skin type provides the best defense against recurrent clogged pores. Be gentle with skin and avoid excessive scrubbing. See a dermatologist if breakouts persist.
How to Unclog Pores
To get rid of debris, oil, and dead skin trapped within clogged pores try:
Cleansing
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser twice a day. Use a soft washcloth and your fingertips to massage the cleanser into skin. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Look for cleansers with salicylic acid to help dissolve pore gunk. Avoid harsh scrubs or soaps which can irritate skin.
Exfoliating
Chemical and physical exfoliants lift away dead cells and excess sebum stuck in pores. Use a BHA like salicylic acid or an AHA like glycolic acid 1-2 times per week.
For physical exfoliation, try a soft scrub with jojoba beads or a silicone brush. Avoid scrubbing too harshly which can damage pores.
Clay Masks
Masks made with bentonite or kaolin clay draw out impurities from pores with absorbent minerals. Rinse the mask off fully after 5-10 minutes before it dries. Using a clay mask 1-2 times a week helps degunk pores.
Retinoids
Topical retinoids like retinol or prescription tretinoin promote skin cell turnover. This ejects pore contents up to the surface. Start slowly to avoid irritation.
Extractions
If pores remain clogged after using the methods above, an extraction performed by a skin care professional may be needed. Extractions open up the pores and remove hardened sebum plugs.
Avoid Popping
Picking at pores will often just worsen clogs and can lead to infections. Seek professional extractions instead to properly unclog pores.
Consistency is key for keeping pores clear long-term. Make unclogging treatments part of your regular skin care routine, rather than just a one-off fix.
Lifestyle Changes to Unclog Pores
Making certain lifestyle adjustments can also promote clearer, unclogged pores:
- Drink plenty of water – Hydration plumps skin cells and prevents dryness that clogs pores.
- Limit dairy – Some find dairy products worsen breakouts and pore congestion.
- Take probiotics – Probiotics support gut health and balance “bad” acne bacteria.
- Reduce sugar – Spikes in blood sugar can stimulate sebum production.
- Manage stress – Stress triggers hormones that increase oil and debris in pores.
- Exercise – Working up a sweat helps eliminate pore gunk and bacteria.
- Avoid touching your face – This reduces transferring dirt and oil into pores.
- Change pillowcases frequently – Prevent pore-clogging bacteria buildup.
Making skin care and healthy lifestyle choices that balance oil, promote cell turnover, and fight bacteria can help minimize recurrent clogged pores.
When to See a Dermatologist for Clogged Pores
Most clogged pores can be managed at home with proper cleansing, exfoliation, and masking. However, you may need medical assistance for:
- Deep, painful pimples that won’t surface
- Multiple blackheads and whiteheads
- Severe inflammatory acne
- Acne cysts or nodules
- Swollen, red pores
- Pore clogs that continuously reappear
- Scarring or dark marks from pore infections
- Suspected underlying hormonal disorder
A dermatologist can perform professional extractions to clear out congested pores. They may also prescribe topical or oral medications to treat acne and reduce excessive oil production.
For recurrent clogged pores with no clear cause, they can help identify potential hormonal or genetic factors and customize an effective treatment plan.
Conclusion
It can be frustrating when one pore consistently gets clogged more than those around it. The pore may be enlarged, located in an oil-prone area, or continuously filled by recurring dead skin and debris.
With a regular skin care regimen of cleansing, gentle exfoliation, clay masks, and retinoids, even the most stubborn clogged pore can be cleared. Avoid picking at it! Consistency and patience are key.
See a dermatologist if the clog causes pain, inflammation, or acne breakouts. For many, that one perpetually clogged pore is just an occasional annoyance that proper pore care can manage and prevent from becoming a bigger skin issue.