Clogged pores under the eyes are usually the result of excess sebum, which can lead to blackheads and whiteheads, also known as milia. The only way to avoid these skin conditions is to ensure that your pores remain free of oil and debris. Because you're dealing with the delicate area under the eyes, you must use gentle products that don't scratch or clog the skin. By gently steaming open your pores, you can better exfoliate and deliver treatment to keep your pores clean and oil-free.
Fill a pot with water and place it on the stove to simmer. When the water begins to simmer, remove it from the stove. Drape a towel over your head and the pot to create a tent. Keep your head under the steam for five minutes. The heat and moisture open the pores on your face so you don't need harsh products and scrubs to clean your clogged pores.
Exfoliate the area under your eyes with a gentle exfoliating scrub. According to the RealSelf website, dermatologists Jordana Gilman and Arnold Oppenheim recommend an exfoliating scrub with gentle scrubbing beads or a scrub with alpha hydroxy acid that dissolves dead skin rather than sloughing it away. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells that could be clogging the pores under your eyes and helps prepare the skin to receive medication.
Apply a topical ointment containing salicylic acid, suggests Columbia University's advice columnist Alice. Ensure that you keep the ointment out of your eyes; apply the ointment only to the area under the eye and any other problem areas you may have. Salicylic acid may help dry out excessive oil that's clogging pores, so you can see clearer skin. Since salicylic acid can be drying, apply only once a day until you're sure that your skin has acclimated to the treatment.
Apply a weekly mask containing algae, which acts to tighten the skin and close pores so they're less noticeable.
Avoid excessive use of beauty products and makeup underneath the eyes. When you flood the pores with foreign material, it can become trapped, resulting in bumps, acne and milia. Keep the area under the eyes clean as much as possible to see a difference in the quality and clarity of your skin.
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Kay Ireland specializes in health, fitness and lifestyle topics. She is a support worker in the neonatal intensive care and antepartum units of her local hospital and recently became a certified group fitness instructor.