How to
Unclog Pores
How to Unclog Pores
for Clearer, Smoother Skin
What Are
Clogged Pores?
Clogged pores, also known as congested pores, happen when these small openings become blocked. While clogged pores are normal, learning how to cleanse pores properly and support your skin with the right care can help reduce congestion and minimise the chances of breakouts. This is especially true if you often struggle with clogged nasal pores on and around your nose.
What Do Clogged Pores
Look Like?
FACE
When facial pores get clogged with oil, dead skin cells and debris, they can become enlarged and uneven, especially around the nose, forehead and chin. This often leads to visible signs like blackheads (open, darkened pores) and whiteheads (closed, flesh-coloured bumps with a white head).
BODY
On the body, clogged pores may look like small, raised bumps or congested patches of skin. They tend to be more prevalent in areas where sweat, oil and friction are more common, such as:
- Chest
- Shoulders
- Upper back
- Neck
5 Common Causes of
Clogged Pores
Refining Clear-up Strips
Since the T-zone areas (nose, chin and forehead) are most prone to blockage from dirt, oil, makeup and blackheads, incorporating NIVEA Refining Clear-up Strips once or twice a week can help keep pores unclogged. These strips help to remove blackheads effectively, leaving skin looking refined and fresh.
What Are Clogged Pores?
What are clogged pores? Clogged pores are small skin openings blocked by oil, dead skin cells or dirt.
What do clogged pores look like? They may appear as bumps, blackheads or shiny, textured patches, especially on the face, chest or back.
What causes clogged pores? Clogged pores can form when excess oil, pollution, heavy products or hormones disrupt your skin's balance and clog the pores.
How to unclog pores? A consistent skincare routine with gentle cleansing, exfoliation and non-comedogenic products can help reduce pore congestion over time, giving you a clearer-looking complexion.
How to Help
Clear Clogged Pores?
6 Step Skincare Routine for
Reducing Clogged Pores
Start your morning routine with the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Wash Gel, specially formulated for clogged and blemish-prone skin. Enriched with Salicylic Acid, sea salt and Niacinamide, this wash gel deeply cleanses to remove excess oil, blackheads and whiteheads while purifying pores, all without drying out your skin.
In the evening, use the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Micellar Water to gently remove makeup, SPF and impurities that have built up over the day. Infused with PHA, Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide, it helps to reduce blemishes, refine pores and control oil, without rubbing or greasy residue.
Exfoliation helps lift away dead skin cells, which are a common cause of clogged pores on the face. The NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub is designed specifically for blemish-prone skin. The formula combines Salicylic Acid, sea salt and Niacinamide to help unclog pores, smooth uneven texture and reduce the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads, all without drying and without causing any tightness.
The scrub works to refine pores and promote a clearer-looking complexion after just 7 days of use and is dermatologically approved for regular use.
You can add a toner to your skincare routine to help combat clogged pores and rebalance blemish-prone skin. Look for one enriched with ingredients like Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide or mineral extracts, which help control oiliness while keeping your skin hydrated.
When used morning and evening, a suitable toner can help refine and purify pores, promoting a clearer, smoother complexion over time.*
When the skin becomes dehydrated, it may produce even more oil to compensate, which can clog the pores and contribute to blemishes.
The NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Rebalance & Clear Serum is specifically designed to hydrate without overwhelming skin. Infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Pro-Vitamin B5 and Niacinamide, this serum helps calm irritation, strengthen the skin barrier and visibly reduce blemishes. The lightweight, non-comedogenic formula absorbs easily and leaves skin feeling refreshed, not greasy. Used daily in your morning routine after washing, it helps to reveal visibly clearer skin.
The final step in your morning routine involves protecting your skin from the sun's UV rays. Thick, heavy sunscreen can sometimes clog pores, so finding one that is lightweight but effective is important.
The NIVEA Derma Skin Clear SPF 50+ Fluid offers broad-spectrum protection without clogging pores. Its lightweight, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and leaves a comfortable matte finish that controls excess oil and shine for up to 8 hours. By shielding your skin and keeping pores clear, it supports a smoother, healthier-looking complexion.
To help clear congested pores and improve skin texture overnight, use the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Night Exfoliator. Formulated with 8% Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide, it supports your skin's natural renewal process, visibly reducing clogged and dilated pores. Apply it to areas with blemishes or congestion and let it work while you sleep for a clearer, smoother complexion in just 7 days.
Precautions: A slight tingling sensation may be felt. Do not use on irritated skin. Discontinue use of the product if irritation occurs and consult a doctor if irritation persists. This product contains alpha hydroxy acids which may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the likelihood of sunburn. Use sunscreen and limit sun exposure while using this product and for one week afterwards.
How to Help
Tighten Pores While Enhancing Radiance
While pores cannot be permanently shrunk, keeping them clear and refined helps reduce their appearance. One effective way to support this is with a gentle chemical exfoliator that renews skin texture and promotes pore refinement.
The LUMINOUS630 Skin Glow Daily Liquid Exfoliant is a lightweight, leave-on peeling exfoliant designed to reveal smoother, more even skin*. Powered by 4% AHA and 1% PHA, it gently exfoliates to refine pores while improving skin evenness in just 7 days. Easily applied once daily on a cleansed face, it absorbs quickly without rinsing off.
Precautions for use: A slight tingling sensation may occur. Do not use on irritated skin. Avoid contact with eyes. Skin sensitivity to sunlight may increase. Use sunscreen afterwards and limit exposure to sunlight. Use only one chemical exfoliant per day.
To refine pores and reduce dark spots, boost your glow with the Glow Power Duo Routine: start with the Daily Liquid Exfoliant, followed by the LUMINOUS630 Skin Glow Instant Glow Serum. Both products are dermatologically approved, suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and work together to help reveal a unified, more radiant complexion with refined pores**.
*Warning: A slight stinging sensation can occur. Do not use on irritated skin; discontinue use if irritation occurs; consult a doctor if irritation persists; avoid contact with eyes. This product contains alpha hydroxy acids that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Use a sunscreen and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.
**Combined usage of Instant Glow Serum and Liquid Exfoliant provides 4 glow effects: evenness, pore refinement, gentle exfoliation and fresh hydration.
5 Things to Avoid
Summary
Avoid harsh treatments and pore-clogging products, and be mindful of lifestyle factors that impact your skin. Taking these steps will help maintain clearer pores and improve the overall appearance of your skin over time.
