Pore care: is it better to “remove” sebum or make it “less visible”?
Some people feel satisfied only when they thoroughly remove it with pore strips or extraction, while others say it will just come back anyway, so realistically it’s better to manage pores to make them less noticeable. It’s a topic the community is always divided on.
Two approaches
- Typical methods
- Making it less visible
- Pore strips, extraction, peel-off masks
- Pros
- Making it less visible
- Immediate satisfaction
- Things to watch out for
- Making it less visible
- Redness and irritation; it fills back up quickly
| Removing it | Making it less visible |
|---|---|
| Typical methods | Pore strips, extraction, peel-off masks |
| Pros | Immediate satisfaction |
| Things to watch out for | Redness and irritation; it fills back up quickly |
Poll
Which approach do you prefer?
- It feels satisfying only when I remove it thoroughly
- I manage it to make it less visible
- A bit of both
- I don't worry about it
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My recommendation is to manage it to make it less noticeable rather than “remove” it. The regularly spaced gray or yellow dots on the nose are often sebaceous filaments, where sebum is visible along the pores, rather than blackheads, so it’s natural for them to fill back up even after removal. Pore strips or frequent extraction may make the skin look smooth for a while, but irritation and redness can remain.
Instead, cleanse gently, and if it suits your skin, try starting with a salicylic acid (BHA) product once or twice a week. If your skin feels dry or stings, it’s better to reduce the frequency and add moisturizer. Niacinamide and retinoids are also used to manage sebum and skin texture, but there’s no need to start several active ingredients at once. And remember sun protection during the day. I think a realistic goal is to keep sebum and dead skin from being as noticeable, rather than trying to get rid of pores themselves.
There’s no need to completely avoid extraction, but it’s safer to avoid pressing hard at home.