If you want to feel good, a clean, fresh face is a great starting point. Pond's recommends a simple daily cleansing routine. In just three steps you'll feel like you've just walked out of a health farm.
Effective pore management
Knowing how your pores work is the first step in pore management. Pores are essentially openings in the skin, and there are two types: sweat glands and follicles, which secrete oil. Pores become clogged when oil, grime, makeup or pollutants accumulate as hardened plugs, and these plugs form blackheads.
Clogged pores occur most often around the nose, which has more oil glands per square inch than any other area on your face or body. When the duct is blocked, the waxy 'sebum' – that's the oil – trapped inside becomes infected and produces whiteheads, also called pimples or spots. Conventional methods of clearing blackheads and whiteheads include squeezing, but this is painful, it often leaves permanent scars, and it may lead to infection when the skin is broken. That means you're more likely to get acne.
Suction with a vacuum tube is often used in beauty salons, but that can cause broken capillaries and it isn't very effective: the treatment is superficial and may not remove deep-seated plugs completely. The best way to manage your pores effectively is a regular, thorough cleansing regimen to minimise the build-up of sebum and surface dirt.
A good routine would involve three easy steps.
1. Cleanse
Cleanse your face with a proper pH-balanced cleanser. There are different types of cleansers: some people like gels or liquids and others prefer solid bars. It's just a case of finding the one that's right for you. After cleansing your face, massage it for 1–2 minutes and then rinse it thoroughly.
2. Tone
Use a toning product to kill bacteria and remove any residual makeup. Natural ones such as tea tree oil and witch hazel are good: they have antiseptic and astringent properties.
3. Exfoliate
Exfoliate with products such as scrubs, creams and masques to slough off dead skin cells and stimulate cell renewal.
In addition to keeping your face clean, you should resist the urge to pick at spots. Try using pore strips to remove debris in pores.
If you wear make-up, be sure to remove it thoroughly with a reliable remover: never go to bed without cleaning your face. Avoid using make-up and skincare products that may aggravate pore clogging. For instance, applying a cream that is too rich on already oily skin may lead to the accumulation of debris inside the pores. It's important to know your skin type.
If you exercise regularly, make it a habit to cleanse your face after every workout. Good skincare practices will help to keep your pores clear and your skin free of blackheads and pimples.