Visible pores / blackheads - how to fix them?

[MyLatest]

I've had these for ages but hadn't realised how bad it was until recently when I had a good look in the mirror. My whole chin is just loads of visible pores.

I have started using the Avene cleansing stuff after having no skincare routine at all. Just the cleanser, water spray and calming moisturiser. But are there any other brilliant products for reducing pores / blackheads?

[Mrpicklesesquire]

I love to use the clarisonic now with any old cleanser which has worked wonders on my skin.

But before that I religiously used to steam my face once a week, just over a bowl of water to open the pores then use elizabeth arden clear the way mask. I swear by that mask as its the best 1 ive found (and ive tried quite a lot) that actually gets rid of the gunk in blackheads and makes the pores smaller. But like everything you have to keep doing it at least once a week.

I still use the face mask now and again but dont have time to steam with a toddler!

[MyLatest]

Good to know Pickle will give it a try thanks :)

[CeliaFate]

You could try microdermabrasion. I had it done at my local salon recently, it's really effective. I've started using Fresh start masks and they're brilliant too.

[MostlyCake]

I have visible pores on my nose which I hate. I mentioned to the beautician and she thought my skin was dehydrated? Not convinced as my nose is more in the oily side of normal but might be worth looking for something for dehydrated skin . This is different to dry skin apparently

[MyLatest]

Celia what does it entail? And does it hurt?

I used some of those nose strips on my chin today. It is satisfying seeing the buggers standing up like tiny hairs on the strip afterwards but I was a bit worried they might be too harsh.

[nyldn]

Salcura antiac spray. Clears them up so quickly. Microdermabrasion is amazing but gets really costly as you get best results if you continue for 6 or so treatments.

[MyLatest]

nyldn It gets very mixed reviews on Amazon - lots of 5 stars and 1 stars. I have never heard of it before and would love to try it on DH (he gets spots on his back sometimes).

[dreamingbohemian]

Which Avene cleanser do you use?

I really swear by micellar cleansing lotion -- Avene makes one, as does La Roche Posay. I have rosacea and can't do facials or exfoliation, so was resigned to awful pores and blackheads... but just a couple weeks of micellar lotion completely cleared out my skin. I use it just after a hot shower. It's very gentle so I have no idea how it works but it does.

All the Avene stuff is lovely. I used to live in France and women there really do just have the most amazing skin.

[MyLatest]

dreaming sounds interesting - what is it? I just use the gentle cleanser, have never heard of the other one. I have been wondering about rosacea myself so reluctant to try anything too aggressive.

[dreamingbohemian]

If you think you might have rosacea don't even try anything abrasive or drying, it will destroy your skin. Avene is great for rosacea.

The micellar lotion is actually not a lotion (though it says lotion on the bottle) it's a clear liquid that looks like toner, but it's not at all stingy or drying. You apply it with a cotton pad, no rinsing.

I use the gentle cleanser first, then take a shower, then use the micellar lotion, then apply moisturiser. I'm not normally evangelical about beauty products but as I said, I went from having big pores and loads of black spots everywhere to completely clear skin, it was impressive.

This is the La Roche Posay version which I first used and really like:

www.international.boots.com/en/La-Roche-Posay-Physiological-Micellar-Solution-200ml_866277/

[nyldn]

It's all natural, so I think that generally lends itself to working great on some and doing nothing for others. It's been a godsend for my pregnancy hormonal acne. Love the face wash too, actually

[CeliaFate]

is what I had. It was about £40 and it is recommended that you have a course of them, but not compulsory.
I used it as a "kick start" then used the Fresh Start masks.
It doesn't hurt at all, but it's not a relaxing treatment, you can see the effects afterwards.

[RonaldMcDonald]

use a decent bha
it will reduce the oil in the pore and they will shrink
this is an excellent product do not let the price fool you it is much better than almost all others on the market
once the oil production normalises then you will know where you are with the blackheads and pores

[RonaldMcDonald]

microderm and peels are great after you sort out the oil problem ime
really great!

[MyLatest]

Great advice ladies, thanks!

[Kundry]

You need something you leave on with BHA/salicylic acid in. It dissolves into the blackhead and clears them out. I use Paula's Choice 2% BHA lotion but Neutrogena and La Roche Posay do loads as well.

[ginorwine]

Kundry please could you tell me which neutrogena one? Thanks!

[MyrtleDove]

MostlyCake dehydrated and dry skin are indeed two different things. Dehydrated skin is lacking in water but not oil (and so can be oily, as in your case), dry skin is lacking in oil. Sometimes skin is both. I have a dehydrated T-zone and the rest of my face is dry.

Superdrug do a good range for dehydrated skin, white with blue caps/logo. Look out for anything with hyaluronic acid.

[RonaldMcDonald]

ginorwine

the one i linked to in my post

[46direct]

Just done the neutrogena scrub followed by the other thing linkrd above
Should I moisturise too?
Or will that block pores?
Confused!

[MyrtleDove]

46direct all skins need moisturising, even oily ones. It won't block pores if it's light enough. I like the Body Shop's seaweed or aloe moisturisers.

[46direct]

Pit my normal loreal age reperfect moisturiser on
Just was unsure thinking the other stuff apparently sucks the rubbish out overnight!

[kazzawazzawoo]

Watching with interest, I too have large pores and some blackheads, but ageing and sensitive skin. Not sure my budget will stretch to some of these though.

[46direct]

I got neutrogena blackhead 7 day sos and neutrogena stress something hydrating something
One is a micro abrasive scrub
One is a light blue gel thingy
Will report back
From tesco
About 4 pound something each so not £££