Blackheads and large pores >:|

Black heads & pores are always my major concern because I don’t always put make up on. A few things will definitely help according to my experience:
1. Cleanse thoroughly daily, exfoliate 1-2 times a week as you don’t want to over do it, hence make the pores larger
2. Use a really good serum, then moisturiser
3. Can use deep cleansing mask once a week to help clear the black head, clay mask is generally pretty good.
4.i also use paper mask weekly just to boost the hydration of skin.

I have the exact same issue and it’s so frustrating when you use a heap of products, with no result. I had a micro-facial done at a day spa and they did a skin analysis too. The therapist said I should have more micro-facials and microdermabrasions to really get into the skin and cleanse properly.
I just wish they weren’t so pricey!
She also recommended a morning and night skincare regime (costing close to $700!!) OMG!

The steam thing works very well. I grab a large bowl, fill it up with boiling water and lean over it with a towel over my head for about 5-10 mins. This really opens up your pores. Then you finish with a good cleansing. You should notice a difference.

OH yes the MB Silver Powder is pretty awesome but at the same time really expensive if you get it here in Australia. Chrissy had a good supplier in the US via ebay where you can get it heaps cheaper but it is still a little pricey for the one product. I can vouch for it though, works wonders at drawing gunk out of the pores. Clay masks are also ideal, I use a Skinceuticals one that is the bomb, but very expensive. Other than that I can’t go past a glycolic cleanser, the best cleanser I have used for getting my skin cleaned at the end of the day, it leaves my pores clear and gets rid of all makeup. I use the ASAP one which is cheap in comparison to other formulations available, however it is a professional range so probably still more than you are looking at. I looked up some other more affordable possibilities for you and I found that Invisible Zinc has one for $28 and Neo Strata has one for $25 (I think Priceline sells both of these brands)

um..could someone suggest something a teenager could try? Facials are way too pricey for me and a clarisonic…..uh uh, not going to happen until maybe a few years later. 🙂
The biore strips i used and they don’t quite work for me. I cleanse and exfoliate, put my face in steam for 15 minutes and leave the strip on forever. Yet the only things that come out are yellow pus (ew.)
So i have found a cheaper version which is simply to blend a tsp of milk with a tsp of gelatine; heat in microwave for 10 seconds and apply to face. It works just as great as the strips. (Just that for some reason, it’s like the blackhead insides are taken out, but the sides remain blackish) :S

Dermalogica Clean Start range is ideal for problem teenage skin or another really good range is Alpha-H however I just looked at their site and their MR & MISS H (acne range suitable for young skin) is currently being reformulated, will be worth checking out once it is back in production 🙂

um..could someone suggest something a teenager could try? Facials are way too pricey for me and a clarisonic…..uh uh, not going to happen until maybe a few years later. 🙂
The biore strips i used and they don’t quite work for me. I cleanse and exfoliate, put my face in steam for 15 minutes and leave the strip on forever. Yet the only things that come out are yellow pus (ew.)
So i have found a cheaper version which is simply to blend a tsp of milk with a tsp of gelatine; heat in microwave for 10 seconds and apply to face. It works just as great as the strips. (Just that for some reason, it’s like the blackhead insides are taken out, but the sides remain blackish) :S

I agree with you, Clarisonic and getting professional facials done is pricey. So I do it myself at home. Basically after cleansing and exfoliating I use a mask. The masks I’m using are a clay mask (mine is the one where you add water to clay powder but I’m pretty sure you can buy the ones that you can just apply straight away. I think there’s one from Natio) and Mario Badescu’s Drying Mask. Both are fab at drawing those suckers out. It doesn’t get rid of all of them, I still squeeze some. Oops lol. The masks make squeezing a lot easier though. Also, the Drying Mask smells very strongly of sulphur- took me a couple of uses to get used to it. The results make it worthwhile.

Fyi, clay masks ares good for tightening skin and the green clay is for acne prone skin. Also, I hear that if you do the mask after a shower then you are likely to get a better result because your pores are more open. Also, I remember that Chrissynick did a review a while ago on some Mario Badescu products, specifically the silver powder which is meant to be really good for blackheads too. It might be worth looking into, just do a search for it 😉

um..could someone suggest something a teenager could try? Facials are way too pricey for me and a clarisonic…..uh uh, not going to happen until maybe a few years later. 🙂
The biore strips i used and they don’t quite work for me. I cleanse and exfoliate, put my face in steam for 15 minutes and leave the strip on forever. Yet the only things that come out are yellow pus (ew.)
So i have found a cheaper version which is simply to blend a tsp of milk with a tsp of gelatine; heat in microwave for 10 seconds and apply to face. It works just as great as the strips. (Just that for some reason, it’s like the blackhead insides are taken out, but the sides remain blackish) :S

I did use a pore strip a few weeks ago and it did pick up a few but mostly I think it just ripped the fine hairs out of my face 😛

I was looking at a packet on friday when I went on a little shopping spree and they had a nose/forehead pack or just nose.. I was hoping they had a pack for chin/nose because they are my blackhead problem areas but they didn’t so I gave it the thumbs down and walked off in a huff to the makeup section

Good advice guys.

Since reading these posts I felt in desperate need of a clarisonic, so have just put in an order. I can’t wait for it!! I have the same problem and even though I scrub, use pore strips and masks nothing seems to make my skin much better. I’ve only recently started double cleansing to take off my makeup so hopefully it makes a difference. It will be interesting to see how my skin reacts to the clarisonic.

I have always had terrible skin with large pores, and oily with pimples. it’s only after my second course of Roaccutane that it has cleared up 🙂 Although I now have clear but dry/combo skin, I still have really large pores, and am desperate to try something to reduce their appearance on my cheeks and nose. So have just ordered a Clarisonic too! It was my birthday present 🙂 I ordered it last weekend from skinstore.com, and suddenly realised last night I hadn’t gotten shipping confirmation. So sent them an email, and they got back to me and apologised, and it’s been sent now! Am so looking forward to getting it, hopefully it’s here within 2 weeks in time for my birthday!

LoL they did that with me too! I was so worried as the Clarisonic was a very pricey first purchase with them. They must have some sort of issue in their auto-mated system. Probably something to do with international buyers.

But it was worth the wait. Hope you love yours 🙂

The pore strips never work for me! I think my blackheads just like to have a nice sit under the surface of the skin which makes getting rid of them very frustrating. I have used the Biore strips countless times but nothing ever comes out, even after I steam my face to let the pores open up!
I have been using the Lush Tea Tree Toner for a few days now, after it being neglected on my basin for a month. As far as I know, its a very mild, diluted toner but I don’t really want anything that strong, especially after the Proactiv I was on dried me out like mad! It’s pretty cheap too!

Ohh I havent ever tried pore strips!