Every Pore is Clogged - HELP!
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Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:55 pm

There isn't a word to describe how upset I am over my skin. I have the world's most hyper-sensitive, hyper-pigmented skin. EVERYTHING breaks my face out, especially so-called hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic products. Yes, even Cetaphil clogs my pores. I don't know what to do. Confused

Here is my Catch-22... I am African-American with very open pores that get easily clogged. My skin sometimes looks like chicken skin because all of the pores stay clogged. It doesn't matter if I wash my face once a day or three times a day, even with really good stuff, it gets and remains gunky.

I don't have oily skin, per se. Just gunky pores, if that makes sense. I don't have a shiny face or anything.

So naturally when I see these stuffed pores, my immediate inclination is to squeeze the goo out of them. I do this (even gently with a warm washcloth) and the next day I have a scar. So not only does my skin get clogged, but it scars easily. I am totally bewildered here. Yes, I exfoliate. I have tried even baking soda scrubs and glycolic peels. Nothing has worked.

I am tempted to see a facialist to get extractions, but I'm so scared she'll put a product on my face that will destroy my skin.

Part of me wonders if I should simply stick to weekly extractions and facial by a facialist and just rinse my face with distilled water each day during the week and be vigilant about not putting anything on my face.

The only thing that works on my nose are Biore strips. You wouldn't believe the gunk that those things pull out. I've tried using the larger Biore strips on my face, but they don't pull strong enough and don't work on the other areas.

OK, I'm rambling. Can anybody steer me in the right direction? I'm in Los Angeles. What are my options? Are there any masks that actually work to clean the pores? What should I do??? Embarassed

free skin care · Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:11 pm

Have you been to a derm? Since you scar so easily, I am afraid extractions will leave marks on your face. Maybe a derm can prescribe some topical for your pores.

Have you tried BHA for your pores?

I have sensitive skin as well and cetaphil gave me hives. Yeek!

Good luck in finding something that works for you.

free skin care · Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:12 pm

Bolla wrote:

There isn't a word to describe how upset I am over my skin. I have the world's most hyper-sensitive, hyper-pigmented skin. EVERYTHING breaks my face out, especially so-called hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic products. Yes, even Cetaphil clogs my pores. I don't know what to do. Confused

Here is my Catch-22... I am African-American with very open pores that get easily clogged. My skin sometimes looks like chicken skin because all of the pores stay clogged. It doesn't matter if I wash my face once a day or three times a day, even with really good stuff, it gets and remains gunky.

I don't have oily skin, per se. Just gunky pores, if that makes sense. I don't have a shiny face or anything.

So naturally when I see these stuffed pores, my immediate inclination is to squeeze the goo out of them. I do this (even gently with a warm washcloth) and the next day I have a scar. So not only does my skin get clogged, but it scars easily. I am totally bewildered here. Yes, I exfoliate. I have tried even baking soda scrubs and glycolic peels. Nothing has worked.

I am tempted to see a facialist to get extractions, but I'm so scared she'll put a product on my face that will destroy my skin.

Part of me wonders if I should simply stick to weekly extractions and facial by a facialist and just rinse my face with distilled water each day during the week and be vigilant about not putting anything on my face.

The only thing that works on my nose are Biore strips. You wouldn't believe the gunk that those things pull out. I've tried using the larger Biore strips on my face, but they don't pull strong enough and don't work on the other areas.

OK, I'm rambling. Can anybody steer me in the right direction? I'm in Los Angeles. What are my options? Are there any masks that actually work to clean the pores? What should I do??? Embarassed

Bolla--don't cry! there is a solution to everything. and i suggest you should see a really good facialist, one that is really good with extractions. i know a lady in the claremont area that is good with extractions, not all facialist are willing to do many extractions, but this lady can. she is located in claremont (it's in LA county) if you're interested, PM me.

i am a fan of biore strips and the trick with them is to use them right after your shower and make sure your face has been super cleansed. i use the strips all over my face and they pull out a LOT. Also, you should use a peel off mask too. i have 2 that i currently love:

1) laneige mint pore mask http://cgi.ebay.com/LANEIGE-Pore-Clear-Mint-Pack-100ml_W0QQitemZ9512857513QQihZ007QQcategoryZ11862QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

2) DHC peel off pack http://www.dhccare.com/DHC/ProductDetail.aspx?CS_ProductID=23&CS_Catalog=DHC%20USA

both work very well, they are like liquid biore strips, and should too, be used after a shower on a very clean face.

as your skin is sensitive, i would be careful with these, dhc is a line that many sensitive skin folks love including myself since their products are color and fragrance free. some of the other ladies on this forum know other sensitive skin lines and will gladly help of course. hope this helps!

free skin care · Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:27 pm

Hi girl, i understand how you feel cause when i was a teenager i use to get clogged pores all over my forehead and nose and cheeks. I understand what you mean that its not oily. Actually, what it is, is that your skin is actually very oily underneath, yet very dry on the surface, so that you get all this oil trying to flow on the surface but you got so much dry dead skin cells ont he surface to clog the pores, hence, blocked pores. What i did, was took Roaccutane, a prescribed drugs from the dermatoligist, but this drug wont work once you stop. So after i stopped, i went to do microdermabrasion which uses crystals to scrub off the hard, dead skin on the surface. You have to do it every week. Your skin will gradutally repair itself and the oil underneath can finally come through. But this is a continous program. You cant do the microderm few weeks and stop. I also receommend any mud masks which really sucks out the oil. I think the Aveda products were really good as well.
Do email me if you got any other things to ask.

Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:53 am

my dear child steam your face once per week and apply a topical cream....steam then cleanse then cream that will help.

free skin care · Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:11 am

Hi Bolla!

I would suggest that you wander over to http://iceelements.com, visit the message board area and ask Brenda, the Esthetician, or Shelly, the president of Ice Elements, if their products can do something for you.

I am telling you that if they think that you need someone in particular, even if it is in another product line... or if you really need to see a derm. they will tell you.

I have had such excellent results with this line and heard so many stories about others who have too that it is just incredible.

Ice Elements, in case you are wondering, is a spa line of products that is sold in spas and in dermatologists offices, as well as on their actual website and on hsn.com in the US and theshoppingchannel.com in CA.

I am really feeling for you and your skin and hope that whatever you decide to do that you will find a solution soon!!!

All my best.
Bosoxy.

free skin care · Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:16 am

hi bolla

i find that md formulations facial cleanser with glycolic acid really helps with clogged pores.

glycolic acid is the most active and beneficial of the AHAs in skin care and is made from sugar canes and grapes. hope your pores unclog soon!!

free skin care · Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:19 pm

My skin was very congested before but it's been improving ever since I went back to my old acne line. It's called Serious Skin Care Continuously Clear Line. You can get it in the US (www.hsn.com &www.seriousskincare.com) and in Canada (www.tsc.ca).

free skin care · Tue Jul 18, 2006 8:07 pm

I wouldn't recommend the Biore pore strips. All they do is make your pores bigger. Try Clarisonic skin care brush. It has done wonders for the clogged pores on my chin (area right below my lips). Good luck!

free skin care · Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:34 am

Keep exfoliating your skin so it turns over so the sebum you are producing gets out of your skin instead of getting stuck under all the dead layers. Glycolic based products are best, avoid scrubs at all costs. Make sure any moisturiser you use is light and contains a sunscreen to minimise scars.

I second or third or fourth the facials idea. It's much less likely they will put something on your skin that will affect it than you will.
Go to a good one, e.g. Bliss Spa only hire really good therapists and they have a place in LA. They sell MD formulations there.
http://www.blissworld.com
If you like the lady, then book up a couple of other facials in the next few weeks then move onto every 3-4 weeks.

Maybe if there is a salon that does Peter Thomas Roth facials near you? They really are amazing and each facial tailored to what your skin needs that particular time. I am a *huge* fan of their products. Lots of them have glycolic acid in them and the moisturiser with SPF 20 is fantastic for people whose pores get clogged easily(not the one with 30 which is a bit heavier) but if you had PTR facial the facilist would prescribe the right combo of products for you.

Good luck!

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