While my teenage acne breakouts have been dormant since I’ve entered my twenties, I am still left with a pesky reminder that yes – my pores have been stretched out from years of oil and dirt build-up and will never return to the baby-smooth texture I had as a child. They no longer hold blackheads, but consistently fill up with my skin’s natural sebum to create what is known as ‘sebaceous filaments’. These are natural structures that transport our skin’s natural oils to the surface to stay moisturized. However, if you have large pores like I do, these filaments can be very prominent.
This past year as I have been preparing for my upcoming wedding, I have been searching for clean, sustainable, and ethical products that minimize and unclog my pores. During my research, I came across a few articles boasting the benefits of ‘double cleansing’ and ‘oil gritting’ with oil based cleansers that promise to unclog your skin and provide a smooth, bump-free texture.
How to Double Cleanse and Oil Grit
Now, what is ‘double cleansing’ and ‘oil gritting’ how can they help minimize the appearance of pores and get rid of sebaceous filaments?
Double cleansing rose to prominence a few years ago, when the 7-Step Korean Skincare routine became a viral sensation. The idea behind double cleansing is to thoroughly remove makeup and daily grime, while also leaving your skin soft, supple, and glowing.
It starts with using an oil-based cleanser on dry skin to dissolve makeup and dirt. It is then emulsified with water to rinse off all the yucky stuff you don’t want to seep into your pores. Then, it is followed up with a water-based cleanser to completely remove anything you may have missed.
Oil gritting is the practice of massaging facial oil over your face for an extended period of time, such as 15-30 minutes. Yes, it is definitely an arm workout. But the biggest benefit of oil gritting that has made it a staple in my routine? Oil attracts oil, so the extended oil massage will act as a bit of a magnet for excess oil in your skin. Remember how I mentioned sebaceous filaments fill in the pores of our face? Oil gritting will unclog and remove sebaceous filaments, and sometimes you can even feel them dislodge!
Ever since I introduced these two methods into my skincare routine, I have noticed an immense difference on the texture of my skin around my nose, cheeks, and chins. Sebaceous filaments have lessened, my pores are noticeably smaller, and I have not had a blackhead since I started! If you think you’d like to try out an oil cleanser, I have a clean beauty recommendation that boasts ingredients specifically focused on dislodging sebaceous filaments.
hanskin BHA Oil Cleanser
hanskin BHA Pore Cleansing Oil (on sale for $18.90 from Ulta! {originally $27)
This oil cleanser is produced by Korean beauty brand, hanskin. Their Pore Cleansing line also includes an AHA and PHA cleanser, which all boast benefits of their own.
I chose the BHA cleanser because during my research for pore-minimizing products, I learned that BHAs (beta-hydroxy-acids) are oil-soluble and work deep below the surface, unlike AHAs or PHAs which are water-soluble and work above the surface.
The BHA used in this cleanser is Betaine Salicylate, a much gentler version of the well-known ingredient Salicylic Acid. I prefer this derivative of Salicylic Acid, as it can be combined with other exfoliating ingredients without causing irritation.
The scent reminds me of a spa treatment, with a relaxing and delicious scent of herbal lemon balm. 2-3 pumps of this cleanser is enough to massage my skin for an extended period of time without rubbing or causing friction.
I follow up with a water-based cleanser to fully remove the oil from my skin, and the difference in my pore size and the appearance of my sebaceous filaments were extremely noticeable upon first use.