Pores are tricky. Occasional clay masks can clean out some of that gunk inside my pores, but to expect that my nose would ever be as smooth and clear as an egg seems like an impossible dream.

Lately, layering products has helped me combat winter skin, but dealing with clogged pores has remained a struggle. To see what are the ways I can keep them under control, I reached out to Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, for answers.

What is the root cause of clogged pores?

Two words: Excess oil. “Oil production may rise in response to changes in hormones, diet, or physical or emotional stress,” Zeichner says. When your skin produces excess oil, “that oil [then] becomes trapped between sticky cells that block the follicles themselves,” according to Zeichner. This leads to what we call clogged pores.

When it comes to combatting clogged pores, though, you have several options.

First, change what’s on your plate. 

As we’ve previously discussed on the Klog, what you eat can have a huge impact on your skin, whether you’re dealing with acne or rosacea. When it comes to preventing clogged pores from getting worse, Zeichner recommends a low glycemic index diet, since “sugary foods promote inflammation in the skin.” He also adds that cow’s milk, and skim milk in particular, is associated with breakouts.

Make acids your best friend.

When it comes to what ingredients you need to look for, you need acne-fighting acids like salicylic acid. “This beta hydroxy acid removes excess oil from the skin and exfoliates dead cells that block the pores,” says Zeichner.

Cleansers like the Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil [BHA], which has salicylic acid, can help remove dirt and oil.

In addition to this acid-based cleanser, you can also use a cleansing water as a third cleanse to remove remaining impurities. Look for a low pH product that doesn’t irritate or strip the skin of moisture. The Son & Park Beauty Water has a pH of 4.5, and it contains papaya extract to exfoliate skin and rosewater to hydrate. If you’d rather use an acid toner instead of an acid-based cleanser, you can use a toner with salicylic acid, like the Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner. 

Just make sure you don’t go overboard with acids, since there is such a thing as over-exfoliating your skin.

Avoid products with occlusives.

Occlusives help lock in moisture, so they can be a blessing if you’re dealing with dryness. But when it comes to fighting excess oil and clogged pores, you need to avoid the use of occlusive products on your T-zone because they can clog your pores.

Technically speaking, your T-zone consists of your forehead, nose, and chin. According to Zeichner, these are areas with some of the highest concentrations of oil glands in the body. This explains why your cheeks may be dry while your T-zone is unbelievably oily, which we call combination skin. “Some patients with combination skin may require different products or layers of products be applied in the T-zone versus the rest of the face,” says Zeichner.

This means that if you normally have an oily T-zone, you need to apply lightweight products on that area. But make sure that these products are still hydrating enough: If you try to deprive your T-zone of moisture, it’ll produce even more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture. This leads to a terrible cycle where your skin becomes oilier and oilier, so just make sure you find products that give your T-zone proper hydration without clogging your pores.

For this, the Dewytree Ultra Vitalizing Snail Essence Water is perfect. It instantly hydrates the skin, and you can apply moisturizer on top without feeling like there’s too much product on your face. For moisturizer, the Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream is a great option, thanks to its lightweight, gel-like consistency. It’s an easy way to hydrate skin and help repair skin damage without weighing the skin down.

Lastly, know when to add and subtract.  

If your T-zone is oily but the other parts of your face are dry, you can certainly add another layer just to those areas. Personally, I like to have rich products like facial oils and anti-aging essences in my routine, but when I apply those products, I skip my T-zone completely and instead focus on my cheeks and neck.

When it comes to moisturizer, I start with my cheeks and neck and apply only what’s left on my hands on the T-zone. That way, I can give the T-zone enough moisture without overwhelming it.

Since everyone’s skin is different, you’ll still have to play around to find the perfect balance of moisture for your T-zone. But the key here is knowing that you don’t need to apply all the products you normally use on your T-zone.

Bottom Line:

Pore care is always a challenge. You may not find the one magical product that keeps your pore sparkling clean for eternity, but with consistent care and the right ingredients, you can keep the oily shine and clogged pores at bay.

+ What are your tips on preventing clogged pores? Comment down below!

The post The Reason Why Your T-zone is Always Clogged  appeared first on The Klog.

Getting rid of blackheads seems like a never-ending chore. Most skin issues go away once you figure out what works for you, but blackheads are often an exception to that rule. If you want to get rid of them and lessen their appearance overall, you should know a couple things about how they behave.

What actually are blackheads?
No, your skin does not push out gross black-colored goops from your pores. The dark color of blackheads is actually from oxidization. Overproduction of sebum in your pores mixed in with dead skin cells form a plug in your pore, known as a comedone. Blackheads are open comedones (so they’re not closed, like a whitehead) and exposure to oxygen leads to oxidation of sebum, turning them dark-colored. On the positive side this does make them easier to remove, since they’re already exposed and “open.”
You should be wary that your skin naturally has sebaceous filaments, which can sometimes look like blackheads, but aren’t. Sebaceous filaments are normal hair-like fibers that live in your pores and serve as a kind of wick to lead oil to the surface. They can appear to be yellow, gray or dark brown-tinged, but are generally visible when the pore is full of sebum or you have naturally large pores. They don’t quite have the same plug-like appearance of a blackhead and sit more recessed into your skin. If you’ve ever tried in vain to squeeze one only to have nothing come out, you’ll know that what you thought was a blackhead is actually a sebaceous filament.

Why do blackheads happen?
Two main reasons–overproduction of sebum coupled with too much dead skin cells hanging around. Pore-clogging makeup or whatever else goes on your face can also contribute. Sometimes your skin will produce more oil than normal, whether it’s hormonally triggered or by a super humid climate that makes you sweat a lot. Anything that can clog your pores, can definitely contribute to blackheads.

So how do you deal with existing blackheads?
Pore strips, peel-off masks, clay masks and gentle extraction can rid your skin of some blackheads. You want to use the most gentle and sanitary method because these clogged pores are uninfected at this stage, but a wrong move can introduce bacteria into the pore and cause infection, leading to a much worse acne breakout. Clay masks are great for sucking excess sebum out of pores, while pore strips and peel-off masks can manually pluck those suckers out of your pores. Steaming up first is helpful to soften your pores! It may feel torturous, but don’t squeeze them! That’s the quickest and easiest way to infect your pores.

Even better—how to prevent them and keep them gone!
Maintenance is the key with battling blackheads, since your pores are constantly producing sebum and your skin is constantly shedding. Lots of people get frustrated that they’re following all the “rules” of clearing blackheads but don’t see immediate results or don’t understand why they keep coming back—you’ve got to stick with it.

Cleanliness is paramount, especially if you have combination/oily skin. If your skin is already producing lots of oil, you want to keep it from getting clogged with a good cleansing routine. Exfoliation is also a huge factor. Chemical exfoliants with AHAs and BHAs help loosen dead skin cells and break-down them down, so your pores are kept uncluttered and less likely to get clogged. For some serious pore-cleaning, retinoids, microdermabrasion and chemical peels can be utilized when recommended by your dermatologist or facialist. Finding a skin care routine that incorporates a chemical exfoliant will help a ton, but also keep your habits in mind—are you touching your face a lot? Is your mobile phone all oily and gross? When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? Anything that touches your face can introduce pore-clogging grime, so just be mindful.

The post A Blackhead Explainer and How to Get Rid of Them appeared first on The Klog.

Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil [BHA]

It may sound counterproductive to put an oil-based product on your skin when you’re already oily, but trust me on this! Oil cleansing is the most important step when it comes to removing excess oil from your skin. Remember: oil cleanses oil. The Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil [BHA] is just the cleanser you need to keep your oil in check throughout the summer. The formula includes BHAs to exfoliate dead skin and clear pores (because who wants to keep all that summer sweat and sebum trapped in their skin?), making it perfect for oily skin types who want to clear away blackheads and textured areas too, which tend to pop up more during hot and humid summer months. Pair it with the Neogen Green Tea Real Fresh Foam Cleanser, formulated with fermented green tea extract to target oily skin, for a thorough double-cleanse.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner

Toning is an essential part of a skin care routine for any skin type, but it’s never as useful as it is during the summer. Meant to be applied after cleansing, the toner sweeps away leftover impurities, prevents excess sebum production, and sloughs away dead skin cells, which is key to controlling oily skin. 
The Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner is specially formulated to effectively balance and brighten your skin. Summer can be harsh for oily skin types, making us look more slick instead of dewy, but this toner’s inclusion of peony extract and licorice water ensure that no one will mistake your luminosity for oils. It also includes green tea extract, a natural sebum controller, which helps balance the skin and reduce any dark spots or acne scars. Being thin and watery, the toner feels fantastic on oily skin types—it doesn’t leave your pores feeling suffocated or sticky, and it feels better and more refreshing and soothing than just splashing your face with water. The pH level is a perfect 5.5 to give your skin the hydration boost it needs during summer and clean your skin without stripping it of its natural oils, which would only result in making already oily skin even more oily. The pH toner is guaranteed to give your skin a deep cleanse and leave it feeling clean and refreshed throughout the summer. 

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist 

Another summer staple for oily skin is a great face mist. Keeping the skin cool and refreshed throughout the day helps prevent excess sweating and oil production. The Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist, a Soko Glam exclusive, is amazing because it not only cools and refreshes the skin, but it helps keep your skin’s pH at the optimal level and help it fight off acne-causing bacteria. 
This mist is the icing on top of the cake to keeping your oily skin happy and refreshed throughout the summer. It’s perfect for oily skin types as it has a ultra-fine, even spray and a sheer but covering texture, and it even feels soft when it comes in contact with your skin. Formulated with saccharomyces ferment filtrate, licorice water, and root extract, it brightens and balances skin while locking in moisture with bamboo water and centella asiatica leaf water—if there’s one thing oily skin types want to avoid in summer, it’s letting your skin’s balance get away from you as the weather shifts and you’re starting to let out more moisture than you naturally take in. 
But make sure you shake before you spray! The mist is separated into a watery layer, formulated with licorice water, bamboo water, and yeast fermentation to brighten skin and even skin tone, and a milky layer, formulated to moisturize, balance pH, and smooth your skin, so it’s important to mix them together before usage to get the best effect on your skin. Oily skin will be kept happy with midday pick-me-up mists or post-makeup setting spray mists, and with the omission of added fragrances and irritants, it’s a-okay to spray all day.

Then I Met You Calming Tide Gel Cream

Finally, swap out your moisturizer for one that’s super lightweight. Heavy creams can feel suffocating in the heat of the summer, but consistently using a moisturizer to hydrate the skin is essential to regulating your oil production. See, if your skin doesn’t have the hydration it needs, it can lead to additional oil production as the skin tries to compensate for lack of moisture. Then I Met You’s Calming Tide Gel Cream is great for people with oily skin as it has an ultra-lightweight, breathable consistency. This provides the moisture your skin needs while helping to regulate sebum production throughout the day.

Bottom Line

It may seem tempting to remove certain steps from your regular skin care routine in the summer, however, you’ll find that simply using products that regulate oil production—even if they have oil in them—is more beneficial and effective.

The post How to Get Your Oily Skin Under Control in the Summer appeared first on The Klog.

When it comes to minimizing our pores, most beauty products are a labor of love and time. So you can imagine my face when I tried Son & Park Flawless Pore Pact for the very first time: ?. This translucent powder is the real deal when it comes to instantly controlling shine, concealing pores, and perfecting your skin without drying it out or making it look flaky. It actually gives you a soft-focus finish while making you ask yourself where your pores are hiding.

Son & Park Flawless Pore Pact feels silky while applying it and the great thing about using a compact instead of a loose powder is that it allows a pinpoint coverage in areas where pores are larger (hello, nose and top of my cheeks). But let’s keep it real: No matter what you use on top of your skin to refine your pores, the products will work their best if your skin is properly hydrated. So I always make sure I prep my skin before I put my makeup on and use this guy as the last step by tapping it onto my face instead of rubbing.

Last, but not least, its packaging is so sleek and beautiful it will make you look forward to touching up your makeup throughout the day.

+ Are you also on the hunt for pore-banishing products? Share your thoughts and discoveries with us in the comment section below!

The post This Magic Powder Will Make Your Pores Go Poof! appeared first on The Klog.

I grew up in Brazil, a place where teens are told the myth that good skin equals dry skin. That means every kid with the slightest sign of a pimple on their faces would have an orange bottle of astringent in their medicine cabinet, and would look for oil-fighting formulas. So as you can assume, until a few years ago, I expected a good cleanser would leave my skin feeling tight and dry. After all, it felt right—that was the sensation I used to get from the products I was used to buying at the pharmacy and even from the soaps recommended by my doctor.

Then when three fine lines appeared on my forehead, I began to seriously question my skin care habits. From this point on, I changed the way I cleansed my face.

My first impression of the Neogen’s Canadian Clay Pore Cleanser was one of skepticism. Could a product really be made out of clay and keep me hydrated? I couldn’t see how I could have both, but soon enough Neogen proved me wrong with this multi-tasking holy grail.

The Ingredients
As the name already suggests, the star ingredient of Neogen’s Canadian Clay Pore Cleanser is Canadian colloidal clay, which offers many skin benefits at once: It improves circulation, detoxify, exfoliates dead skin cells and minimize pores. As if it wasn’t enough, this product is also rich in marine oil and natural minerals to deeply hydrate and even firm your skin.

How To Use
This product is nothing like any other clay mask or even any cleanser I’ve used before. It has a smooth, almost buttery texture that makes the simple fact of putting this onto your face absolutely delicious! Bonus points: A little goes a long way and, technically, you can apply it even over makeup—although I must say I saw better results when using this after my oil-based cleanser.

A few seconds after you put a thin layer of this soft formula on you’ll start hearing a sizzling noise and notice the clay mask turning into a foam, especially in the areas where you have more pores. This is Neogen’s innovative foaming technology going after your excess sebum that clogs your pores and causes unsightly breakouts. By this time you can start massaging the product, which you can do for a few minutes. I like to add a little bit of water so my hands can move smoothly to improve my circulation and detox my skin. The formula now is a rich, creamy texture that, not like any other clay masks, is really easy to cleanse off and feels soooo good!

Results
I’ve been using this product for almost a month now and I wish I had found this innovative take on clay masking a lot sooner. It brings you the deep cleansing of a clay mask (think: no more excess sebum and way less blackheads) without its usual over-drying sensation. In fact, after rinsing it off, my skin feels moisturized and is definitely smoother and brighter. Plus, even though it does its best on normal to oily skin, it worked great on my dry skin too and I look forward to using it two to three times a week.

The post The Cleanser Your Pores Have Been Asking For appeared first on The Klog.

Sure you may be born with an oily skin type, but that doesn’t mean you have to struggle with it forever. Here are six tips you can try right away to keep excess oil at bay.

1. Start using an oil cleanser.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to invest in an oil cleanser. Most people with oily skin tend to avoid oil cleansers because they believe that using an oil-based product will make their skin even oilier. But think about it this way: Water attracts water, and oil attracts oil. You need oil to properly break down oil. Using an oil cleanser will remove excess oil without leaving your skin dry and tight. 

The Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Purifying is a cult classic formula that’s infused with natural ingredients that help deep clean and mildly exfoliate pores to prevent breakouts.

2. Avoid harsh cleansers.

Those with oily skin tend to gravitate towards cleansers that leave the skin feeling squeaky clean. But that’s the exact opposite of what you want to do. When you use harsh cleansers, especially ones that contain SLS aka sodium lauryl sulfate, they can temporarily remove excess oil. But this can also leave skin dehydrated and deprived of essential moisture.

According to dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, using skin care products “that are too drying can increase oil production.” So instead, use gentle, nourishing cleansers that will keep oil at bay while moisturizing the skin.

The Commleaf Rice Purifying Foaming Cleanser features natural surfactants that are effective yet won’t cause irritation, along with moisturizing deep sea water. If you want an easy fix, you can pick up Neogen’s Carrot Deep Clear Remover Oil Pad. These embossed pads are soaked with oil for an easy, yet effective, cleanse.

3. Exfoliate regularly.

When you have oily skin, it’s important to exfoliate on a regular basis. Excess dead skin cells will not only clog pores but also dehydrate the skin. This is because the buildup of dead skin cells prevents your skin care products from effectively penetrating the skin. As a result, your skin becomes dull and dry, and oil kicks in to lubricate the skin, resulting in an oily sheen. 

The Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30Days Miracle Toner contains both AHAs and BHAs to keep pores clear, treating and preventing breakouts. The formula also tightens pores, controls sebum production, and balances skin.

4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

The most important tip on this list is this one: Keep oily skin hydrated. The more dehydrated your skin gets, the more oil it produces. So instead of using harsh products that strip the skin of moisture, always stick with hydrating ones. 

The d’Alba Piedmont No Sebum Repair Cream contains sebum-controlling calamine powder, brightening white truffle, and firming amino acids to keep the skin healthy and hydrated while preventing excess oils from coming to the surface. Plus, it has a fast-absorbing, lightweight texture.

Another moisturizer to try is the Tony Moly Chok Chok Watery Green Tea Cream. The lightweight gel is formulated with lemon seed oil and rosewood oil extract to deeply hydrate skin and green tea to soothe inflammation and irritation. This moisturizer is perfect for those with oily and acne-prone skin.

5. Add a linoleic acid to your routine.

Research has shown that those who suffer from oily, acne-prone skin tend to have lower levels of linoleic acid in the skin. Linoleic acid is essentially an omega 6, an unsaturated fatty acid found within the skin’s surface lipids. When skin is low in linoleic acid, the oil in the skin becomes thicker and more likely to clog pores, which can result in increased oil production and acne. Supplementing skin with oils high in linoleic acid will balance oil production and help prevent acne.

One of the most well-known ingredients rich in linoleic acid is fermented black soybean. Packed with wrinkle-fighting omega acids, it’s known to protect skin from environmental stress and keep your skin looking bright and young. Beauty of Joseon’s Revitalize Sleeping Mask is the perfect overnight mask to keep oil in check and provide linoleic acid to the skin, and it can keep oily skin hydrated and balanced. The mask also contains ginseng and orchid to brighten and target signs of aging, all while making skin smooth and supple.

6. Use a clay mask every week.

Oily skin types should “consider [using] a clay mask or clay foaming cleanser,” Dr. Mariwalla suggests. Clay draws out oil and impurities and reduces oil production to purify the skin overall. As always, be sure to stick with moisturizing clay masks that won’t strip the skin of moisture.

The RE:P Bio Fresh Mask With Real Calming Herb is formulated with kaolin clay, a mineral-rich clay, that absorbs oil to make your skin softer and smoother. This mask also contains crushed calendula and chamomile to gently exfoliate the skin while reducing inflammation.

The post 6 Ways To Make Your Skin Less Oily For Good appeared first on The Klog.

I enjoy writing about and researching different ingredients, and today I’m here to dish on a very special one: volcanic ash. Not just any ash, though. Ash that’s collected from South Korea itself and used in Korean cosmetic products.

Where Volcanic Ash Comes From

Volcanic ash can be found anywhere a volcano – either live or dormant – exists. However, Korean skincare companies typically uses volcanic ash from the country itself, and one place, in particular: Jeju Island.

This island is home to numerous skin-nourishing ingredients that are utilizes in many Korean skincare products. It’s actually a volcano island, though it hasn’t erupted in roughly 5000 years.  Still, the island is rich with aged volcanic ash from all those years ago. The ash is collected and sifted and then utilized as an ingredient.

Volcanic Ash Skincare Benefits

Volcanic ash has been used as a skincare ingredient all over the world for centuries, and it’s valued for its ability to purify the skin, disinfect, and exfoliate. It’s somewhat similar to charcoal that way, only volcanic ash is often found already finely sifted and feels like soft beach sand. Like sand, it doesn’t dissolve in water, which allows it to effectively slough off dead skin.

You’ll find volcanic ash in various Korean skincare products, including thick mud masks, sheet masks, nose packs and cleansers. Its detoxifying abilities are what you’ll usually see advertised on the aforementioned product labels, and volcanic ash truly works wonders in that department. However, this ingredient can also help soothe rashes, smooth the skin, ward off and treat acne, and fight aging. It’s also been proven to soothe and treat skin ailments, including eczema and psoriasis.

Where to Buy It

InnisFree makes its popular Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask ($13), which is 1.3 ounces of nourishing, skin detoxifying goodness. You slather it on your skin, let it set, and then rinse it off to reveal brighter, deeply cleaned, purified skin. It’s especially good for those with oily skin types, or as a PMS treatment when your skin produces more sebum.

Another fun one is The Face Shop’s Jeju Island Lava Nose Strips ($6). They come as a set of seven, making them less expensive than the leading nose strip brand, and utilize Jeju’s own volcanic ash to help clear impurities and reduce pore size. It’s a gentle blackhead treatment, but it’s also really effective. And how satisfying is it to use these strips and examine the work they’ve done?

Lastly, I want to suggest The Skinfood Volcanic & Egg White Pore Hot Steam Pack ($14) which combines Jeju volcanic clay (to absorb excess sebum and draw out impurities) with egg extracts (to help tighten pores). This is a unique blackhead treatment because it actually warms up on the skin to help open up pores!

The post Detox Your Skin With Volcanic Ash appeared first on The Klog.

We all want our pores to be deep-cleaned and to appear as small and even as possible, but it can be a major struggle to get them to behave. Not only are there hundreds of products on the market that claim to treat and shrink pores, there are also tons of confusing myths floating around about how they function.
Thankfully, the Klog is here to de-mystify some of this pore folklore so that you can get back to your skin care routine with confidence.
MYTH: Pores can be “closed” when exposed to cold temperatures…
Pores don’t close or open like windows to your skin, instead, they can become dilated depending on how much sebum (oil) and other impurities are clogging them, making them appear larger. Cooling treatments, like a mask kept in the fridge can, however, cause them to temporarily constrict. So, while using cool temperatures can seal in a skin care treatment and soothe irritation, nothing will make your pores fully close.
MYTH: … and “opened” with heat.
Your pores are always open. What heat, like that from a facial steamer or a warm washcloth, does is help the pores to dilate further and allow for the softening of sebum and debris (like dead skin cells) inside. That’s why many facialists will steam your skin before a treatment, as it allows for any impurities to be loosened and for extractions to be performed with more comfort and ease. Facial treatments, like exfoliation and masks, are also able to penetrate the skin’s surface better when pores are dilated, so try adding an at-home facial steam to your routine before using a deep cleansing mask like the Goodal Deep Clean Pore Glacial Clay.
For the steam, you can fill your sink with hot water and cover your head with a towel, letting the steam warm your face. Adding a few drops of essential oil to the water can make for a relaxing experience as well. Just remember to avoid letting the too-hot water touch your skin, as it can be irritating and drying.
MYTH: Blackheads are dirt built up inside of your pores.
While those little black dots that pop up in clusters may look like specks of dirt, your pores are actually clogged with dead skin cells and trapped sebum that has oxidized, causing it to turn black. When blackheads pop up, it’s a sign that your dead skin cells are not being regularly exfoliated, and that your skin’s sebum production is suffering from an imbalance. One of the best fixes for this is to use a product that contains BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), the most popular of which is salicylic acid. I like the Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner. The formula combines salicylic acid with aloe to hydrate and soothe.
MYTH: Your pore size stays the same forever.
As we get older, our skin’s natural production of collagen slows down, and skin’s elasticity diminishes. Collagen helps our pores “snap back” so to speak, allowing them to return to their normal size when sebum and dead skin cells are flushed out. However, without healthy new collagen, our pore walls can start to slacken and over time, they’ll begin to look larger. Regular exfoliation can help keep your pores healthy, and using an antioxidant serum like the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum can build elasticity and fight free radicals that damage healthy collagen.
MYTH: Sunscreen will clog your pores.
Many people shy away from using SPF daily on their faces, believing that all sunscreen formulas are greasy and will lead to clogged pores and frustrating breakouts. Thankfully, sunscreen formulations have improved drastically in the last few years, and there are plenty of noncomedogenic formulas on the market that are easy to apply everyday, with no negative effects on your pores. In fact, using an SPF on a daily basis can help keep your pores in tip-top shape. Recent studies have shown that UV rays can cause a rapid decrease in collagen production, which is much needed for resilient, healthy pores. Apply a light-textured SPF like Acwell Aqua Capsule Sun Control Gel SPF 35/PA++ daily for non-greasy, soothing sun protection that will keep your pores from becoming weakened and enlarged.

+Have more questions about pores? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Most Common Pore Myths – Debunked! appeared first on The Klog.

We’ve spent some time with Kelly, 27, a HR consultant who has never tried or even heard about the Korean skin care routine until a few weeks ago. Kelly describes her skin type as combination dry, with an oily t-zone and frequently deals with hormonal acne and blackheads. Kelly accepted the challenge of following the Korean skincare routine for two full weeks as part of Soko Glam’s new campaign, Only Good (Skin) Days Ahead. Read on to see her testimonial and learn her new beauty secrets!
The Klog: How was your skin care routine before starting this program?
Kelly: I used cleansers that were really drying and then I tried to restore moisture using serums and moisturizers that were really heavy. I had an oil cleanser but I was terrified of it and thought it would add more oil to my face. I avoided using it and it just sat on my counter. I also used Dove soap on my face (don’t judge me!)
And what about your skin per se–what was your skin like?
Kelly: I had combination dry skin but an oily t-zone. I also dealt with hormonal acne and blackheads. It wasn’t very pretty.
What was something you learned while following the routine?
Kelly: I learned that my skin lacked a lot of moisture. I was in this cycle with my previous products of drying out my skin with harsh cleansers and then trying to regain that moisture with the heavy creams that filled up my pores. I think this attributed to my breakouts.
Was there a product that was hard to understand or a step you wanted to skip every now and then?
Kelly: Essence was the hardest to understand because I’ve never used anything like it before. Since it’s so light, I wasn’t sure if it even was doing anything. However, now I see a difference. I think it’s the reason why my skin feels so much more balanced. My skin is more supple and it glows, which it never did before.
I wasn’t a big fan of the sleeping pack. When I applied it to my skin, it felt wet and I woke up feeling like my pores were full. Overall though, the products were way more gentle than my old routine.
What was your favorite part of the journey?
Kelly: Feeling like I took control of my skin was the most rewarding. I learned what products addressed my skin care needs and concern. I feel like I’m finally giving my skin what it needs.
How is your skin care routine now that you finished this 2-week “challenge?”
Kelly: I’ve stuck with the routine and haven’t gone back to using any of my old products. I would like to try a different foam cleanser just to try something new. I’d like to try something with green tea or tea tree. I’d also many want to add an eye cream because I’m concerned about fine lines.
What else has changed?
Kelly: I definitely don’t want to use as much makeup because I really like how my skin looks without it and I don’t want to clog my pores. My acne and acne scars clear up more rapidly than before as well. Also, since my skin is more balanced, my makeup goes on so much better. I’d apply foundation to my skin before and it would be scaling off.
 

Now that you’ve heard all the details of Kelly’s experience with the Korean skincare routine, read her mini reviews on all the products she used for the past two weeks!
Erborian Solid Cleansing Oil
Luxurious, thick and powerful. It’s really effective at breaking up makeup. It’s contributed to the hydration in my skin and making it balanced. 
Neogen Real Fresh Cleansing Foam Cereal
This cleanser is very gentle. It’s good for dry or dry combo skin. It makes my face feel very clean and fresh without drying it out.
Neogen Bio Peel Gauze Peeling Wine
This smells like grape juice! It made my skin soft, but I felt it was a bit sticky. Then I realized a little too late I was supposed to rinse my face after use! Oops!
Manefit Green Tea Pore Care Mask
I loved it! This mask made me want to try more green tea products. I’ve never tried hydrogel masks before, only the regular cloth sheet masks and I like the hydrogel much better. It helped calm down active breakouts I had.
Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence
I was confused about how to use it at first but I think it has contributed to the glow I see in my skin. When I think essence, I think glow.
Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch
Loved these. I was bragging about these when I went home for Christmas. I liked it because they aren’t very noticeable unless someone is looking at it directly. It got rid of breakouts within 12 hours. It reduces redness and pull out bacteria and infection. I’m almost out!
Skinmiso Pore Beauty Pack
It’s really mystifying how it draws out blackheads without using steam. It’s very effective at removing blackheads you can see and everything you can’t see. It was so easy to use with a comedo remover. Usually this process takes me an hour but using this, it took half the time. 
Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream
This is super moisturizing but lightweight. It smells amazing and contributed to the glow. Everyone passed it around on Christmas and agreed it smelled so nice!
Lioele V-line Sleeping Pack
This was a little too moisturizing for me but I would give it another try.
NOTE: Participants were not paid by Soko Glam and their opinions of the products are their own. Products were provided by the company and selected based on skin type and skin concerns.

+ Watch Kelly’s journey with the Korean skincare routine on Youtube.

The post How I Transformed My Dry, Blackhead-Prone Skin In 14 Days appeared first on The Klog.

The constant fight with pores can be brutal and endless, but the best way to combat an enemy is to know exactly what it is. What’s inside your clogged pore might be a blackhead or it might be a sebaceous filament. We reached out to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, to learn the difference between the two and how to treat sebaceous filaments.
First off, what are blackheads?
Blackheads are a form of comedonal acne that occur as a result of built up sweat, sebum, and dead skin cells in the pores. Blackheads are known as open comedones since the pore is open at the surface. Once outside air hits the clogged pore, the sebum oxidizes turning the pore a dark black/grey color, hence the name. They can occur in many different places but are most common on the nose. “The nose contains the most concentrated number of oil glands on the entire body,” says Zeichner.
RELATED: Do You Really Need an Extraction Tool?
So, what about those other (sometimes dark) pores on your nose?
Those are sebaceous filaments. Sebaceous filaments are not as common of a term as blackheads but you’re likely confusing the two (with good reason).
Unlike blackheads, sebaceous filaments are not a form of acne but a normal part of the human body that happens when oil forms around a hair follicle. “Oil within the follicles dilates the pores, making them look prominent,” says Zeichner. “The natural oil within the pores are known as sebaceous filaments.” So, they aren’t acne, therefore you can’t prevent sebaceous filaments from popping up.
Can you be pick or squeeze sebaceous filaments?
As someone who suffers from larger pores on my nose, I feel your pain when it comes to the helpless urge to squeeze all the junk out of those pores. But Zeichner says, “If they are not bothersome, no need to treat them. If you do choose to treat them, avoid picking which can cause more harm than good.” So, for all you pickers out there like me, let’s avoid getting out that magnifying mirror and rather treat these pores the right way.
How to treat them:
Think about sebaceous filaments and blackheads as cousins with similar beginnings (oil/sebum). The way we have to treat them is going to be the same. The safest and most effective way is by using chemical exfoliators like BHA’s (beta hydroxy acids). These acids work well because they exfoliate the skin, helping to remove excess dead skin cells and oil from deep within the pores. You can try using the Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling in Green Tea, which is a combination of a physical and chemical exfoliator. While the acids work to clean out the pores, the green tea (which is a powerful antioxidant) will help to soothe any inflammation and protect against premature aging.
For more moderate cases, Dr. Zeichner suggests a leave-on product. The Some by Mi 30Days Miracle Serum would work well since it contains a blend of AHA’s, BHA’s, and PHA’s. But don’t forget to load up on SPF after, as these chemical exfoliators will leave your skin more sensitive to light!
Along with using acidic treatments on a routine basis, try using a clay mask once a week. The Mamonde Pore Clean Clay Mask will help to purify the skin, leaving it feeling fresh and congestion free.
RELATED: How to Make Your Skin Less Oily
Bottom line:
Blackheads and sebaceous filaments are not as different as they’re made out to be so when it comes to treating them it’s no surprise that the methods are the same. Rather than separating these two into different categories, it makes more sense to think of them as kindred spirits: one as preventable and the other as a normal part of the skin.
As with anything in life, consistency is important. In order to get a grasp on minimizing the size of blackheads and sebaceous filaments, you’ll need to exfoliate on a regular basis. There’s no one time fix (or pore strip) that will get rid of them for good.

The post Some of the Blackheads on Your Nose are Actually Sebaceous Filaments appeared first on The Klog.