For the average city dwelling urbanite, her skin is facing a constant daily battle against sweat, airborne pollutants and pore-clogging makeup. There are simply too much gunk lurking around trying to congest our pores, including skincare products we slathered on and our body’s own natural oil production. Those with oily skin types are exceptionally prone to experience blockages, with increased bacteria colonization that lead to whiteheads, blackheads and frank breakout.While it’s a common beauty myth that pores open and close, they can expand and contract and thus appear larger or smaller depending on how much debris is stuck in them. The universal goal is therefore to unclog pores to allow oxygen to flow through freely so that bacteria can’t cause problems, and here’s a round up of 5 effective ways to keep them spick and span, towards a blemish-free complexion.

Proper removal of makeup

Residual makeup is one of the major culprit of clogged pores and women across all age groups are committing it much more frequent than what they believed. Sometimes no matter how thoroughly you scrub and lather up, it seems like you just can’t get all that urban warpaint off. We’ve been there. Despite our best efforts, we’re left wondering how to remove makeup completely. Many of us make the mistake of just using wipes and going to bed, but the makeup really is not all off. In addition, Women tend to use face wash that isn’t made to remove makeup. The key is to take your time and choose the right products/makeup remover. “Double cleansing” refers to the process of using an oil-based cleanser before washing with a more traditional cleanser, an effective way to thoroughly cleanse without upsetting your skin’s pH balance. There is often a misconception that oil cleansers will add more oil to the skin, but actually they can be the most effective and gentle way to remove makeup and surface impurities.

CHAI LEMON QUARTZ Ultra Soft Facial Cleansing Oil is a 2-in-1 makeup remover and cleanser with camellia oil that gently melts away all impurities including waterproof makeup without stripping skin’s natural moisture, leaving it pure and silky soft, balanced and well-nourished.  Follow up with a gentle foaming agent such as SKIN LAUNDRY 24K Gold Cleanser, a light multi-purpose facial cleanser specially formulated with 24k gold and champagne grape leaves extract which heals and regenerates skin while it cleanses skin deeply. Working even on light makeup while replenishing skin with vital essential oils and antioxidants, it is suitable for all skin types, especially mature, aging ones. Massage a small amount onto your face with moistened hands in circular motions to lift away the last traces of residual makeup and all, keeping your pores squeaky clean while maintaining skin’s desired pH for optimal hydration.

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Try a detoxifying mask

Activated charcoal is a skincare superstar for congested complexions. It attracts toxins and absorbs up to 200 times its weight in impurities.The activated charcoal paired with sebum-clearing clay in SW1 OPPOSITES ATTRACT Detoxifying & Purging Mask works magnetically to draw out excess oil, pollutants, and other waste materials that get trapped inside pores.An energizing hydro-magnetic mask that uses magnetic minerals for deep pore cleansing, as well as magnetic currents to zap away visible signs of skin aging, this hydro-magnetic mask is infused with iron magnetic particles, “magically” drawing out impurities and daily residue trapped on the skin’s surface while electromagnetic interactions create a “force-field effect” that lends skin a tighter feeling over time. Active Ingredient black Tourmaline boosts skin’s energy for enhanced radiance, while added peptides smoothen the look of wrinkles and visibly firm skin, prepping skin to a luxuriously luminous finish to bring out its full potential on any given day.

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Use retinoid products regularly

These vitamin A derivatives increase cellular turnover, preventing dead skin cells from sitting on the surface of the skin and prevent pores from getting clogged. They also have excellent anti-aging properties, helping to stimulate collagen for smoother skin. Keep in mind that they can cause photosensitivity and dryness, so use just a pea-size amount for your entire face, and apply only at night or until your skin acclimates to the ingredient. An effective albeit gentle preparation that can be incorporated into your nightly skincare regime to keep pores clean and fight visible signs of aging is the aptly named, SW1 AGE DEFY, a rejuvenating and anti-aging lotion which combines retinol with a powerful, natural moisturizing agent packed full of hyaluronic acid and vital collagen. Not only does it fight wrinkles as you drift off into slumberland, AGE DEFY effectively tones, lifts and firms skin while tackling clogged, enlarged pores to make them appear smaller.

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Engage professional mechanical exfoliation

Although there are many good skincare products and tools that one can buy over the counter for a round of DIY home spa to clean out those pores, things are best left in the hands of those in the know. Besides, every girl deserves to be pampered like a princess once in a while! The SW1 Spa offers a comprehensive menu that caters to all skin woes, and one of the most requested are deep cleansing facials.

CLEAN SLATE is a well put together SEXTEXT ideally suited for those troubled by oily, clogged skins keen for a pore-size downgrade and an upgrade in skin clarity. Combining the purification benefits of both DEEP DEEP CLEAN and CLEAR BLUE facials, Aqua.dermabrasion, a patented Hydrafacial technology is one of the key feature with an ever enlarging fan base. Working differently from your traditional microdermabrasion,  a spiral shaped tip with multiple abrasive edges replaces the usual flat ones, allowing better exfoliation several times over as the tip is moved on skin’s surface in a planning motion. The gentle jet of accompany fluid containing a potent blend of AHA/BHAs, infusing treated skins with acne busting agents while continuous moisture application ensures maximal comfort level, reducing friction and softening the skin and sebum to extract impurities and blast them away with ease. Regular sessions do much more than keeping your pores squeaky clean, multi-tasking to help with fine lines, wrinkles, surface blemishes, uneven skin tone and possibly mild pigmentation all at one go.

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Medical laser for the kill

Plagued by gaping, open pores the size of craters that get clogged up frequently and do not respond to run of the mill beauty treatments? Now, science has mercifully come up with effective medical aesthetics solutions to give you “closure” to your “porous” woes. While our pore size is genetically determined, there is something we can do to fight our genetic imperfections. Pioneered by the Koreans well known for their exceedingly high benchmark for Beauty, as a standalone treatment or as part of the comprehensive Pore Perfection Program, the Laser Peel is the ideal way to slough off dead cells and shrink down pores without the use of harsh chemicals. This state of the art approach to skin rejuvenation resurfaces and replenishes the skin at the same time with the use of gentle yet deep penetrating laser energy to exfoliate the rough and damaged outer layer of dead skin cells to reveal younger, softer, and fairer looking skin underneath. It refines skin texture by reducing oiliness and minimizing pore size as it renews environmentally and sun-damaged skin with improved skin tone and density. Simply “Pore-fect”!

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