How To Get Rid Of Clogged Pores On Nose

Nose pores can be a real problem. We get it. They can disturb your skin appearance and may also get bigger with time. But guess what? With little maintenance and the right home remedies, you can clean them, unclog them, and reduce their size. Do not go buying a pore-filling primer just yet! Try these simple DIY tips and at-home remedies and keep those pores from ruining your confidence.

What Are Nose Pores?

Nose pores refer to the hair follicle openings on the skin. These are more like 'depressions' in the facial skin that contain one or more openings to the ducts carrying sweat and oil. They are typically larger than the pores on the rest of the face. These pores help with the entry and exit of fluids, like water, sweat, oils, etc. (1).

While nose pores are natural, some tend to get larger. What could the reason be?

What Causes Large Nose Pores?

Numerous factors can lead to enlarged pores. These may include (2):

Excess sebum excretion
Decreased elasticity around pores due to age. In other words, the collagen and elastin fibers become loose and make the pores appear bigger.
Increased hair follicle volume and size
Chronic recurrent acne, which can also lead to blackheads in the open pores. Constant picking of blackheads can increase the size of your pores.
Changes in sex hormones and menstrual cycles, with the largest pore size occurring during ovulation.
A poor skin care regimen can lead to the pores getting clogged with sweat, oil, and dirt, thereby enlarging them.
Sun damage leads to stretching of the nose pores and makes them appear bigger.
GeneticsÂalso plays a role in determining the size of the pores.

These are the causes of enlarged nose pores. Understanding the root cause can help you tackle the issue better. In the next section, we have listed out 12 useful and easy tips to get you started.

How To Clean Nose Pores: Top 12 Tips

1. Do Not Sleep With Your Makeup On

Going to bed with makeup on can clog your pores. Always remove your makeup and wash your face with a gentle cleanser before bedtime. A cleanser cleanses your face from the inside out and unclogs all pores.

2. Cleanse Your Face Twice A Day

Cleansing your face twice a day with warm water (and not hot water) helps remove makeup residue, dead skin cells, oil, and dirt from the skin. Regular cleansing exfoliates your skin. Lack of exfoliation may lead to enlarged nose pores. Ensure you cleanse your skin with a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser twice a day. Be extra gentle as excess rubbing can irritate your facial skin and cause inflammation.

3. Follow Up With A Good Moisturizer

Cleansing may strip your skin of the essential oils. Hence, use a high-quality moisturizer to moisten and repair your skin barrier (3).

4. Go For A Chemical Peeling Procedure

Peeling with 10% trichloracetic acid (TCA) helps clean deeply clogged pores, effectively controls and treats severe acne, and reduces signs of early aging. Peeling can also significantly improve skin texture and revitalize the skin (4). Opt for a chemical peel containing skin-friendly acids that can penetrate the skin and get rid of dead skin cells, excess oils, and bacteria. Your pores will appear unclogged and be less visible.

5. Consider Microdermabrasion (MDA)

Microdermabrasion (MDA) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical cosmetic procedure that can help treat uneven skin tone/texture, reduce scars, and treat enlarged pores (5). It is one of the most common non-surgical cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. You may speak with your doctor regarding the same.

6. Try Laser Therapy

Go for laser therapy that makes use of light beams to exfoliate the top layers of the skin and reduce the appearance of nose pores (6). Laser therapy may also boost collagen production.

7. Invest In A Good At-Home Peel

At-home peels, are essentially pre-soaked pads infused with natural fruit acids. These pads help break down the oils in your pores. Here is how to use them:

Step 1: Rub the pad over your clean, dry T-zone.

Step 2: Let it stay on for about 60 seconds.

Step 3: Rinse with cool water.

Step 4: Apply a good moisturizer.

Repeat this process twice a week for best results.

8. Use A Retinol Serum

Retinol is one of the best anti-aging ingredients available. It stimulates collagen production around your nose pores, firms and cleanses the skin, smoothens fine lines and wrinkles, and lowers the buildup of keratin debris to tighten your pores(7).

Integrate a retinol serum into your nightly skincare routine. Ideally, start with minimal application and gradually amp up the frequency.

Note: Do not use retinol in any form if you are pregnant. Consult your doctor for more information in this regard.

9. Select Non-comedogenic Makeup And Skincare Products

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (ADA), you should go for non-comedogenic skincare and makeup products to minimize irritation and prevent pore clogging (8). How will you know if a product is non-comedogenic? Look for the following phrases on the bottle:

Non-comedogenic
Oil-free
Wonâ€™t clog pores

10. Take Care Of Your Acne Breakouts

Acne can clog pores and make them more visible (8). You can use a cleanser with salicylic acid to unclog your pores. If the salicylic acid dries or irritates your skin, try alternating cleansers. For best results, you can use a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser when you wake up and a salicylic acid cleanser prior to going to bed.

11. Use A High-Quality Sunscreen Every Day

As mentioned earlier, sun damage causes your pores to enlarge. Hence, use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher to prevent sun damage. Additionally, wear a hat and protect your skin at all times when you step out (particularly during the middle of the day).

12. Exfoliate With Care

We have already established how dead skin cells can clog your pores and make them appear bigger. Hence, physical or chemical exfoliation is important. What you also must remember is that you should not scrub your skin too aggressively as this can further damage your skin. Speak to your doctor to understand the best type of exfoliation method you should go for. People with dry skin should limit exfoliation as it may further dry their skin out.

These 12 methods can effectively clean your nose pores and help reduce their size. These are effective. However, some believe simply squeezing the pores can reduce their size. But is it bad?

Is It Bad To Squeeze Nose Pores?

Yes, it is bad to pick, squeeze, or even dig at your nose pores. Doing so can further irritate your skin and make your pores look larger (8). Hence, be as gentle with your skin as possible, and do not ever squeeze your nose pores.

The Bottom Line

The best way to treat enlarged nose pores is to keep them clean and unclogged by getting rid of the excess oils, dead skin, and dirt. Numerous factors can enlarge your pores and cause them to appear bigger than usual. These include excessive sun exposure, genetic predisposition, and hormonal changes.

You should be able to reduce the pore size by following a dedicated skincare routine and using products that contain retinol or salicylic acid. Make sure to speak to your dermatologist before trying cosmetic treatments like chemical peels.

At the end of the day, as long as you keep your skin healthy, your pores will appear smaller. Take care of your skin and say goodbye to nose pores in the safest, most cost-effective, and skin-friendly way possible!

Sources

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

Facial skin pores: a multiethnic study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4337418/
Facial Pores: Definition, Causes, and Treatment Options
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26918966/
The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/
Exfoliative Skin-peeling, Benefits from This Procedure and Our Experience
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4720453/
Microdermabrasion
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535383/
Enlarged pores treated with a combination of Q-switched and micropulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with and without topical carbon suspension: A simultaneous split-face trial
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3799029/
Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641/
WHAT CAN TREAT LARGE FACIAL PORES?
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/treat-large-pores

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Author

Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make... more