I want to have smooth and clear skin, what can I use on my skin?I'm a male with large pores who often get spots and blackheads. How can I stop this from happening?
It depends - everyone's skin is different, and responds to different things. Trial and error is the best way.
1. Benzoyl peroxide: clean your skin with very mild soap and then apply a benzoyl peroxide cream (this is the popular Acne.org regimen). Works very well for some people. Some get reddened, itchy or inflamed skin. It has a peeling effect (unclogs pores) and it is antibacterial.
2. BHAs (salicylic acid) - unclog the pores. Acne comes when skin cells don't get sloughed off efficiently and plug pores. Bacteria grows underneath (P. acnes) and then you get an inflamed pimple. BHAs (and AHAs, like glycolic acid) work to keep the skin cells moving, a process called desquamification. P. acnes needs an anaerobic environment to grow.
3. Clay masks - removes oil and dead skin cells. More of a long term solution.
4. Sulfur also works well - it stinks, but some products really clear up your skin fast. It is good at breaking down existing pimples, but I don't think it works super well long term.
Currently, I am using AHAs/BHAs - I'm allergic to benzoyl peroxide. I have a deeper exfoliating mask once a week, and also sometimes a sulfur treatment when there are some breakouts. But I'm a product queen. Keep it simple to start.
Overall, be patient. Try one thing at a time, and give it a month to work (unless it provokes a severe reaction). Keep your pillowcases, phone and facecloths clean. Also, exercise, eating a balanced diet and taking some time to really relax every day can and will help. Best of luck.I'm a male with large pores who often get spots and blackheads. How can I stop this from happening?
Cleanse your face with a cleanser that is low in alchohol (to prevent drying).
Then get a biggish bowl of hot water (or use the sink) and hover your face over it with a towel over your head to lock all of the steam in. Do this for 10 minutes - This will open your pores really wide so it is easier to get rid of all the dirt that is causing spots and blackheads.
Then use an exfoliator to get rid of dead skin cells and dirt from the pores. Gently apply it to your damp face and rub in with wet fingers.
When you have done this, use a mask (such as dermalogica antibac) on the affected areas and leave it on for about 10 minutes (you may feel some tingling but this is just because its really working into your skin).
This mask is particularly good for getting rid of excess sebum (an oily substance which mositurizes the skin - people with oily, spotty skintypes are producing excess sebum which clogs pores therefore causing spots/blackheads)
After this has been done finsh off with a toner and mosituriser (make sure you use an oily skin type mosituriser or else you will just reverse the process you have just carried out)
Repeat once a week - this should help!! sorry if i rambled.
First I have to say, that large pores are in our genes, they will never go away, but a great deal can be done to reduce them and make your skin healthy and clear.
You need to get into a routine with your cleaning regime, buy some facial exfoliator (I use simply a exfoliating glove from Body Shop), some cleansing gel and some masks that promise reducing pores. I give my boyfriend a facial once a fortnight, and over the months the pores on his nose really improved! He loves Witch Hazel products from Boots. Do not forget to use toner (applied on cotton pads) after cleaning your skin. Leave the toner on and apply moisturiser - I personally love Beauty Serum from No7 (Boots). It is very light and sinks right in and reduces shine too.
Also I would recommend to see your doctor, you may have some form of acne. Drink lots of water to get toxines out of your body and eat healthily. You can also buy Skin Nails Hair tablets - they contain zinc and vitamins B which are essential if you have skin problem.
keep your pores clean/ face clean and use refining masks and stuff like that to close your pores. also, rinse your face with warm water every night and morning and try and keep your hands off your face. hands are very dirty, and that dirt is easily transferred into the skin on your face, so try not to touch your face and keep your hands clean.
You could start by trying some oil-free foam cleansers (preferably balancing ones) and then use blackhead scrubs (the ones with the beads in them). You could easily find these in drug stores, and... Neutrogena works for most people.
Good luck :)
wash your face with cold water that will shrink the pores and close them also get a blackhead eraser or something that prevents them
use a clay mask twice a week. and use an exfoliating scrub daily to remove dirt and oils, follow up with a light moisturizer.
clay mask kaolin
