- By Bornika Das
- Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:05 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Skincare Mistakes That Clog Pores: Skincare routine is often considered beneficial, however, some habits can actually do harm than good. Every alternative people have pores on their skin, which are the openings of hair follicles. Some follicles present on the face are very tiny and are not visible to the naked eye. There are some pores that can be easily visible through bare eye and it is because of the trapped impurities. Although the size of the skin pores usually depends on genetics, it can change depending on daily habits. Clogged pores are a common skincare woe that can lead to blackheads, breakouts and dull-looking skin. They happen not only because of the environmental factors or oily skin, but often the daily skincare mistakes that people make unknowingly.
Small errors in the skincare routine can secretly clog the pores, sabotaging the complexion. Understanding these skincare mistakes is the first step towards clearer, healthier skin. Thus, while practising the skincare routine, it is important to reassess the habits with care. Here’s the list of five daily skincare habits that are clogging the pores and are preventing you from getting healthy and radiant skin.
Daily Skincare Habits That Clog Facial Pores
Skipping Toner
Pores clogged with oil and impurities for a long time can stretch permanently, which requires deep-pore cleansing attention. Leaving the pores untreated for a long time can weaken the pore walls. Toner offers the skin everyday exfoliation and removes the dead skin cells and impurities, preventing pore enlargement and buildup. Thus, skipping the toner means not allowing the skin to naturally and quickly exfoliate.
Clean Makeup Tools
Start cleaning the makeup brushes and sponges as they contain oil, dead skin, dust and residual makeup. If not cleaned every day, then these tools redeposit the substances back onto the face, further clogging the pores. It also increases the transmission of excess bacteria onto the face and prevents breakouts.
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Avoid Wearing Waterproof Makeup
Waterproof makeup formulas are a must-have essential for every girl’s vanity. These formulas often include an ample amount of silicone that congest and clogs the pores, not allowing the skin to breathe properly. Therefore, stop using waterproof makeup on an everyday basis, which can aggravate acne-prone skin, making things worse.
Daily Skincare Habits Causing Clogged Pores (Image Credits: Canva)
Stop Avoiding Sunscreen
The sun dehydrates the skin, making the oil glands work overtime, leading to the enlargement of the pores. Getting slightly tanned can temporarily mask the pores, but in the long run, these enlarged pores with excess oil will clog the skin, making it prone to blackheads. Thus, opt for good sunscreen and prevent pores from getting bigger.
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Use Retinol In Skincare Products
Although it is impossible to permanently reduce the size of the pores, people can make them look smaller by applying a topical retinol overnight. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that increases skin cell turnover and improves the overall thickness of the skin. The application of retinol helps make the skin pores look small and makes it hard for the skin to purge oily plugs from the pores. Always start with a pea-sized amount of retinol and blend it with a moisturiser first.