Between environmental stressors, humidity, sweat, sebum and dead skin cells, it’s safe to say that our pores don’t have it easy. The penalty for clogged pores ranges from blackheads to acne breakouts. But recurring blockages could be a sign of congested skin. What exactly does it mean and how do you find your way around choosing the right skincare? Often, our first instinct is to go exfoliation-crazy and try to slough off all bumps while cleansing enough times to totally strip the skin of oil and impair the delicate epidermal barrier. It might work in the short term, but the lack of oil and the over-exfoliation will likely cause the skin to fight back, leaving you stuck with more breakouts and inflammation than you had in the first place.
Here we will look at the best ways to fight congestion and the best product to use.
What is congested skin?
Congested skin is characterised by a rough texture and has multiple open pores and comedones. Comedones are caused from dead skin cell buildup and related debris, further compounded by the lack of easy lymphatic drainage. Congested skin isn’t just one thing; it’s the culmination of many things. If your skin is congested, you might notice bumpiness underneath the skin, blackheads, small white heads, breakouts and a general dull appearance.
What are the causes and symptoms of congested skin?
This skin condition can occur due to overactive sebaceous glands, triggered by hormonal fluctuations, an unhealthy diet, the lack of a regular skincare routine, dehydrated skin and using incorrect skincare products. Congested skin feels rough and bumpy and can result in whiteheads and blackheads, especially on the cheeks and the T-zone, although the forehead, chin and jawline are also commonly affected.
Tackling skin congestion can feel like a never-ending process; you might try things that your friend swears by, but don’t quite work for you. But if you follow the basics of good cleansing, exfoliation, treatments and hydration, you’ll be on your way to glowy skin again. In order to restore balance to your skin, it’s important to get to the root of the problem, which means clearing out your clogged pores. The best way to clean the surface of your skin is a strict cleansing routine, regular exfoliation with enzymes or hydroxy acids and using quality skin care products that are non-comedogenic. Ensure that you remove make-up with an oil-based cleanser, followed by a soap-free, purifying cleanser and always add hydration.
A healthy lifestyle, a good diet with little sugars and fatty foods and regular exercise can go a long way in helping with congested skin. Routine facials such as lactic peels or microdermabrasions will exfoliate the dead cells, maintain the hydration of your skin and strengthen your skin’s natural barrier, thereby reducing congestion.
Clay masks applied to the congested area once a week also work wonders to pull impurities out of the skin. Using serums such as vitamin A, B and C will help with exfoliation and brightening of the skin, bringing dull skin back to life.
Here we look at products that are ideal for dealing with congestion
Cleansing
To ensure the proper removal and breakdown of foundation and SPF, an oil based cleanser is best to start with, followed by a gentle gel cleanser to completely clear pores of dead skin and the day’s grime, without stripping.
Oil Cleansers
- Medik8 Lipid Balance Cleansing Oil. A lovely oil cleanser that uses plant oils to remove impurities
- CosMedix Purity Solution. An antioxidant rich cleansing oil
Gel Cleansers
- Aspect Dr Deep Clean. Our top selling gel cleanser that uses fruit extracts to dissolve dead skin and remove the days grime
- Societe Pure Everyday Cleanser. A gel cleanser that will leave you feeling fresh and clean without that tight feeling.
- SkinCeuticals Simply Clean. Using fruit enzymes to remove oils and products.
- Osmosis Purify. Using enzymes to breakdown and dissolve dead skin, this is a firm favourite for a great everyday cleanser.
Weekly treatment cleanse
- Societe Deep Thermal Cleanser. A self warming cleanser that lifts debris and removes impurities, Fantastic as a once to twice weekly deep cleanse. This is an amazing cleanser if you suffer from congestion, even if only slightly, you will love the way it removes blackheads and leaves your skin feeling super smooth.
Exfoliation
When dealing with congestion, balance is the key. Stripping your skin will send it into overdrive, stimulating oil glands as it tries to find more moisture, counteracting what you were trying to achieve. Exfoliation should only be done once to twice per week and the gentle approach is best.
- Dermalist Ultra Smoothing Facial Exfoliant. This is a triple action exfoliator with physical exfoliating beads, powerful AHA acids and the soothing and moisturising antioxidant effects of Pomegranate extract. What’s great about this product is that you can use it in 2 ways. Apply it and leave it on for the enzymes to work their magic and dissolve grime and dead skin, or massage it around for a deeper granular exfoliation.
- Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub. This gentle granular exfoliant uses salicylic and mandelic acids to decongest enlarged pores.
- CosMedix purity Detox Scrub. Another one that uses salicylic acid, this is a great granular powder that you can mix with your cleanser or just with a bit of water. It also contains Lauric Acid, which has antibacterial properties, making it great for acne.
Masks
Weekly or twice weekly masks are such a great way to get the results that you are after without having to visit your clinic for facials. Masks that are good for congestion are ones that will pull out impurities and balance the skin’s barrier but without dehydrating. Ingredients like clay or activated charcoal are great choices:
- CosMedix Clear. Kaolin clay, salicylic acid and sulfur in this mask will pull out impurities and remove dead skin while the addition of niacinamide will improve the skin’s texture. Soothing botanicals help reduce the appearance of redness.
- CosMedix Detox. This activated charcoal and clay based mask gently exfoliates skin, draws out impurities and effectively cleanses away pollutants for a visibly brighter, more radiant complexion. Great for those with sensitive skin and congested pores.
- Medik8 Natural Clay Mask. This light clay mask doesn’t cement like other clay masks. It leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated with the addition of Vitamin E, and uses fruit extracts and kaolin clay to completely detoxify the skin.
- Aspect Exfoliating Clay Mask. Another winner from the Aspect range, this gentle clay-based mask effectively exfoliates while decongesting the skin, drawing out impurities and lifting debris. The skin is left feeling soft, smooth and well hydrated. This mask is even suitable for pre-pubescent, problem skin. The skin is left soothed, calmed and purified.
- SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Mask. A lovely soft mask that uses mixed hydroxy acids, natural clays, and calming botanicals to decongest pores and minimise excess oil.
Best serums for congestion
After cleansing and exfoliating, serums are what will keep the skin at its optimal best. Vitamin A, B and C are the best serums to use for congestion. These particular vitamins in skin care have many other functions, but for congestion, the list below are the qualities you are looking for. Our best choices for these serums are as follows:
Best Vitamin A for congestion
Vitamin A will gently resurface the skin as it turns cells over faster, leaving your skin smoother and pores freer from grime. Vitamin A is collagen stimulating, which will help pores shrink back to their normal size once they are clear.
- Aspect Dr Exfol A
- Medik8 Retinol 6TR
- CosMedix Clarity
- Osmosis Clarify
- Aspect Retinol Brulee
- SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0%
Best vitamin B for congestion
Vitamin B will help to regulate oil production, which is especially helpful if your congestion is due to excess oil. B serum wil also boost your other products and aid in skin brightening and a decrease in pigmentation and scarring.
Best Vitamin C for congestion
Vitamin C, the most popular antioxidant, is a natural healer and skin brightener. Not only will it stimulate collagen production like its friend vitamin A, but it will fight free radical damage, fade pigmentation and assist in preventing breakouts and lessen the signs of scarring.
Best moisturisers for congestion
Choosing the right moisturiser is so important when you suffer congestion. You need to know whether your skin is congested due to dehydration and the onset of over productive oil glands that this sets in motion. You will know this because your skin may feel tight, flaky and red, but will also look shiny and needs blotting throughout the day. If this is the case, you need to restore moisture levels in your skin with a nourishing day and night cream, but making sure that they are not too heavy.
If your congestion is due to too much oil and you have thicker skin, you need to look for an oil free option that will adequately hydrate without adding more oils. Here are our best picks:
Best Oil Free moisturisers for congestion
Best light moisturisers for congestion
Best SPF for congestion
Because we always recommend an SPF, but for congestion, something light is the best option. Something with no nasty chemicals and non-comedogenic is the most suitable. Sunscreens containing zinc can be good as zinc is a natural anti-inflammatory, but whatever SPF you choose, make it super light.
- Aspect Hydra Shield
- Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Mineral Matt Antiaging Fluid
- Societe Prime and Defend
- Aspect Envirostat Face
- We are feelgood signature sunscreen
- SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defence Sunscreen
By treating your skin well, you can overcome congestion and get the skin you have always wanted. If you would like more personalised advice, you can fill out an online consultation here.
Best Selling Congestion Skin Care Products
If you need any help in choosing your skin care, you can email us at info@theskincareclinic.com.au.
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