Blackhead/blocked pores/skin care help please.

[ImFree2doasiwant]

Im 42, not really into beauty products and skin care. I was (face wash) use eye cream and moisturiser. I occasionally (very) use a scrub or mask.

My nose and chin have always had blocked pores/Blackheads type things. Not spots as such, not sore , pink or "pop" sort. But pores that expel stuff when squeezed.

I seem to be getting worse with age. Skin is quite greasy.

Is there anything I can do to help this? I dobt have loads of money so nothing too expensive please. I also have little time/inclination for pampering Although I I'm willing to put a bit of effort in.

Try Superdrug naturally radiant 5% glycolic acid tonic, wipe over don’t rub because it can make you sore if you rub it in. I only use it every few days.

Don’t moisturise that area either, I literally put the tiniest dab of cream on my cheeks.

You have described my skin.

I do get some spots too, in my hair and ears and the hurt.

Well I did. I started a course of Accutane 2 months ago (now know as Isotretoin) and my skin feels amazing.

The grease has left the building.

You may well have Sebaceous Filaments rather than blackeads

I use a Konjac Sponge in the shower - it is gentle on the skin and hangs up to dry .
Sometimes use an oil to cleanse ( Oil on Oil sounds like a "No" but it does work ) but mainly a foaming face wash .

I'm very low effort maintenance . If I ever do wear make-up , one of the balm cleansers like Primark or BodyShop Camomile .

I have some The Ordinary products but bloody hell , it;s confusing !
So far a Squalene Cleanser , a Vit C cream (tingles but they warm that it can) and a BHA peel that goes on 10 minutes then wash off .

I've got a night oil from Revolution and my skin hates it , brought me up in huge spots on my face .

The Superdrug Radient range has some little facepads in a tub (Acid Peel)

Or -get some muslin cloths , much longer lasting . Wash and re-use for ages . Use with any cleanser , they gently exfoliate
I bought some Pestle&Morter cleansing cloths for my DD (M&S)
There was Emma Hardie , REN , M&S do their own brand,
Primark have them and Liz Earle .

Thanks, yes I don't think they are blackheads really , and are more filled pores than blocked

Nip Fab glycolic pads completely sorted those for me! Amazon and Superdrug often have them on offer.

Oh if their sebaceous filaments Paula’s choice bha peel is meant to work. I’m waiting for the sample to come back in stock to try it.

Use the ordinary salicylic acid masque. Complete game changer for my sebaceous filaments and pores more generally.

I don't know how consistent you are with face wash, you might already be doing this... But I have had a very similar problem for years. For the past few months i have been using a tea tree foaming face wash morning and night and my skin is noticeable clearer and pores look smaller.

If the issue is clogged pores/sebaceous filaments, then the best thing will be salicylic acid/BHA - a glycolic acid will give good glow, but it can’t penetrate the oil in the skin.

Sali Hughes wrote a good column on this - www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/fashion/2019/nov/02/the-best-pore-cleansing-toners

I’ve tried the Garnier toner and vouch for it, it’s lovely.

Personally, I wouldn’t use a foaming face wash, as they can strip/dry out the skin and then your skin might produce more oil to compensate.

For a simple routine I would use a hot cloth cleanser (with a flannel), a BHA toner (1-2 times a week to start) and then an face SPF on top - you can skip a moisturiser as otherwise that will be too heavy.

If you fancy introducing a serum, then this is great little bargain from Superdrug - www.superdrug.com/Skin/Face-Skin-Care/Face-Serums/Superdrug-Simply-Pure-Hydrating-Serum-50ml/p/342700

It’s really gentle and contains hyaluronic acid which helps with dehydration (again, if you’re dehydrated, your skin might be overproducing oil to compensate). I’d slot this in after the BHA and before the SPF :)

try rubbing jojoba oil in and removing with a flannel soaked in hot water squeezed out, then glycolic acid.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I have some jojoba oil already , so will try that, and look into the other options. I'm really keen to try and minimise it if I can.

Yes oil cleansing, i read about this and after just two days of double cleansing, once with oil, once with my usual face soap i looked in my magnifying mirror today and was amazed at how clean my pores looked after years of what i thought were blackheads but were actually sebaceous filaments

My skin was very similar.

I’ve been using ordinary products since lockdown and the results have been phenomenal.

I use the squalene cleanser, followed by L’Oréal age perfect toner, although switched to Pyunkang Yul which is lovely. Then the ordinary hyaluronic acid followed by oil of Olay Regenerist day cream.

In the evening I also use an Elemis face mist and then The Oridnary niacamid. Followed by night cream and a decleor oil.

Twice a week I use the ordinary AHA and BHA peel Ion my nose and chin which I think has got rid of some blocked pores that had been there 30 years!

It sounds complicated but doesn’t take long and my skin is getting compliments.

@Lovewindyweather which face wash do you use? I fear some of he products mentioned may be out of my price range

@goldenslumbers1 thank you , that sounds doable, and not expensive. Do you mean a facial sun cream? Any suggestions? I'm a bit prone to heat rash when using sun creams.

Boots own brand tea tree and witch hazel. £4. 3 for 2.

I've ordered a couple of things from The Ordinary, not expensive as I thought they'd be. Lots out of stock though.

Just tried the squalene cleanser, I like it! It says to rinse off with warm water, assume that's enough. I don't have a toner.