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Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:25 am  |
I've had a problem with clogged pores for as long as I remember. My pores are actually pretty small but they are always, always clogged, so that makes them visible.
Extractions tend to irritate my skin and even when the pores are completely cleared, the next day I will wake up and they're full again.
No product I have found so far helps, either (from over-the-counter pore refiners to Retin A to gylcolic products).
I think I can just live with this flaw, but on the off-hand someone knows of a solution to this problem, I'd like to hear it. |
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Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:13 am |
Janis I had the same problem as you. Since I have been getting glycolic acid peels at my dermatologists, I no longer have this problem. I have been considering stopping the peels for several reasons but the lack of clogged pores is the main reason why I continue to do them!
BTW just to make sure we are talking about the same thing. I am not talking about the small white bumps (milia) which unfortunately the peels have not helped with but just ordinary clogged pores. |
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Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:33 am |
It's a constant battle isn't it. 
The one thing that's helped me is Differin gel. It's a retin-a type drug but targets different receptors in your skin. It's RX in the US but you can get it on line without a RX. It costs just under $50 and lasts for months. |
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Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:38 am |
| donnababe it is very interesting how we each react differently to products. I have been using Differin gel for 8 years and while it has done wonders for my acne and helped with clogged pores somewhat, it wasn't until I started the glycolic peels that I noticed a major improvement with my clogged pores. |
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Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:10 pm |
Theresa,
Our skin does react differently! Differin Gel is the best thing I've found so far.
I'm always willing to learn more, and very happy to.  Tell us more about glycolic peels. What does it cost? What percent have you found effective? Do you have to work up to it? Is there down time? Anything else you'd like to share. |
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Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:35 pm |
donnababe I currently get 70% glycolic acid peels done once a month for $50 each. You do have to work up to that strength. I started with 30% (I have pale skin, darker skin types should start with 20%) then every two weeks you can increased the strength by 10% if you are tolerating it properly. They work it so you do a series of 6 peels two weeks apart then go to once a month. I really can't say what strength would have the benefit of reducing clogged pores, during the initial series of peels you sort of work up so fast that it is hard to tell which strength really works best. Sometimes I wonder if a lower strength would have sufficient benefits. Offhand I would say after the first 60% peel I really noticed a difference. I first started getting the peels because of the milia and unfortunately the peels did nothing for those. Usually one or two milia will be removed by each peel but they are of course replaced by others! I do not have any wrinkle issues so I cannot comment on that. It seemed like in the beginning my skin felt baby soft after it would peel but I really don't experience that anymore. The unclogged pores is to me the only real benefit anymore.
Basically the peels are a hassle. My skin is red/pink for about 24 hrs. afterward and I oftentimes end up with raw spots and/or brown sort of scab like skin in certain areas, when this happens I really feel horrible about going out in public. The scab like skin will peel in a few days and look fine (it actually looks pretty good) but the raw spots leave a pink mark behind that takes months to heal. Even if there are no raw spots or brown scabs there is still the flakiness and peeling skin which make it impossible to wear makeup for a few days! I am also starting to wonder if the peels might be responsible for acne cysts that I always seem to develop 9-10 days post-peel.
Wow, I am making this sound horrible. I guess right now I am really weighing the benefit v. the costs and trying to determine if I should continue. I might try having the peels done less often or possibly going down in strength to see if I still get the clear pores benefit. I am beginning to think that it might have been best to just do the series since I noticed the most improvement after the first few months. I might even stop all together and see how my skin looks. It is possible that I think that the improvement is bigger than it really is. I am really undecided at this point!
Hope you don't mind my ramble. Janis I hope you don't mind me "hijacking" your post.
EDIT: I forgot to mention, there is one more benefit to the peels. The pink marks I have left over after my pimples heal fade quicker with the peels! |
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Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:13 pm |
Hi. I'm new to this forum, and this is my first reply. I have tried Differin gel and glycolic acid peels. They are both too drying and harsh for my extremely sensitive, yet acnegenic skin.
I've found the only moisturizers that don't clog my pores are olive oil and hazelnut oil. At night I use olive oil (it's more moisturizing), and in the morning, before applying my mineral makeup (a definite God-send!) I use the more balancing Hazelnut oil. When I wake up in the morning my pores are clear, my skin is soft, and throughout the day I have no dryness or shine or blockage.
Another thing is cleanser. I am very compulsive about my face, but I realized that if I am too harsh with it, it will not only produce more oil, but my skin cells cannot shed fast enough to keep up, and there is more blockage. So, I keep it simple. I have used many expensive cleansers, natural cleansers--you name it! The best I've found is Clearasil Daily Blackhead Control Cleanser which contains salicylic acid and sea salts. The salicylic acid aids in cell shedding and regeneration (obliterating pore blockages!), and the sea salts actually lock in moisture, keeping the cleanser from over-drying. |
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25; sensitive, combo, acnegenic; love Alima! |
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Sat Jun 10, 2006 2:36 pm |
| Thanks, Teresa. Very informative. |
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Sun Jun 11, 2006 8:06 pm |
Hi Janice,
I haven't used glycolic peels yet but i have the same problems as you--hate them clogged pores. I use biore strips on my nose and cheeks as well as forehead and chin. wherever they fit basically. and i also use peel off masks--shiseido used to make an awesome one but they have been discontinued so now i use DHC's peel off mask which is awesome btw--i never expected it to be as strong as shiseido's. and i recently ordered laneige's peel off pore mask but have yet to try it. if your skin is sensitive, you should try a patch test. |
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Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:28 am |
Janis,
I used to have this problem, too. I started using Carekate's Super Brightening Super-Sonic Facial Mask (see DIY thread for the recipe) and noticed it really helps keep my pores clean. (I add Tea Tree Oil, Lemon Essential Oil, and Kaolin Clay to mine.) I use it every evening because if I don't, my pores get clogged. BTW--I have very oily skin so using this mask so often doesn't dry out my face. It's the best thing I've found so far for this problem! |
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Wed Jun 21, 2006 10:41 am |
| Oh, I forgot to mention--my pores get clogged on a daily basis, so in addition to using the Super-Sonic mask mentioned above every day, [sorry to have to be so graphic/gross] I have to use a 10X magnification mirror and manually clean out (extract the gunk) from my pores. I know this is not recommended, but I've found that a little squeeze here and there followed by a thorough cleansing hasn't been a problem and is really a necessity for my skin type. If I don't stick with the mask AND the manual pore cleaning every day, my pores get too clogged! |
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Me: NOT Fabulous 50--recent surgically-induced menopause, aging/sagging skin, life-long acne issues, hyperpigmentation. Seeking solutions~possibly even Holy Grail! |
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Wed Jun 21, 2006 10:44 am |
| I have congested skin and I go to the steam room about every 3 days to open up my pores and clear out the impurities. It has really helped with my skin. |
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