Pores are tiny openings in the skin associated with hair follicles and sebaceous glands. They are completely normal and cannot simply be "removed" or permanently closed. A pore can become clogged when substances such as sebum and dead skin cells accumulate within it. Depending on what happens at the surface of the pore, this buildup can contribute to different types of visible congestion, including blackheads and whiteheads.

This is why skincare for clogged pores should focus less on trying to "shrink" pores and more on keeping the skin gently cleansed, supporting normal exfoliation and avoiding unnecessary buildup.

There is rarely one single reason why pores become congested. Your skin naturally produces sebum and continuously sheds dead skin cells. Both are normal processes. Problems can arise when this material accumulates and becomes trapped within pores.

Excess Sebum

Sebum is the natural oil produced by the skin's sebaceous glands. It plays an important role in maintaining the skin, but when excess sebum combines with dead skin cells inside a pore, congestion can become more likely.

This is one reason clogged pores and blackheads are particularly common in oilier areas of the face, such as the nose, forehead and chin.

Dead Skin Cell Buildup

The outer layers of our skin are constantly renewing themselves. Dead skin cells are naturally shed from the skin's surface, but when this process becomes uneven, they can contribute to a rougher-looking texture and combine with sebum around the pores.

This is where carefully controlled exfoliation can become useful.

Skincare and Makeup

The products you use can also influence how congested your skin feels.

Heavy formulations are not automatically bad, but people who are particularly prone to clogged pores may benefit from looking for products labelled non-comedogenic, meaning they are formulated not to clog pores. Cleansing at the end of the day is also important for removing makeup, sunscreen and other residue from the skin.

The goal, however, is not to scrub the skin until it feels "squeaky clean." Gentle cleansing is usually a better foundation for a balanced routine.

Uneven skin texture can describe many different things. For some people, it means small bumps or clogged pores. For others, the skin simply feels rough or looks less smooth and radiant.

Dead skin cell buildup can contribute to this appearance, but texture can also be influenced by dehydration, blemishes, irritation, sun damage and the natural ageing process.

Not every uneven texture needs aggressive exfoliation. If your skin already feels tight, sensitive or irritated, adding more acids may not be the best first step. A good skincare routine should address the condition of the skin as a whole rather than focusing only on making it feel as smooth as possible.

AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid. AHAs are commonly used as chemical exfoliants to help remove dead skin cells from the outer surface of the skin.

This can make them useful in skincare routines focused on smoother-looking texture, radiance and a more even-looking complexion. Several different acids belong to the AHA family.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is one of the best-known AHAs in skincare. It is commonly included in exfoliating formulas designed to remove dead surface cells and improve the appearance of rough or dull-looking skin.

As with other exfoliating acids, concentration, formulation and frequency of use matter.

Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is another alpha hydroxy acid frequently used in skincare. It provides chemical exfoliation while being incorporated into many formulations focused on smoother and more refined-looking skin.

Mandelic Acid

Mandelic acid also belongs to the AHA family. It is another option commonly found in multi-acid exfoliating formulas, allowing different AHAs to be combined within one carefully balanced product.

BHA stands for beta hydroxy acid, and salicylic acid is the ingredient most commonly associated with this category in skincare. Salicylic acid is particularly interesting for congested skin because it is used to exfoliate and help unclog pores.

For this reason, it frequently appears in skincare routines targeting blackheads, whiteheads and oily or congestion-prone areas. That does not mean stronger is always better.

A well-formulated BHA product should be used according to its instructions, particularly when it is combined with other exfoliating acids.

The DSVLINE 40 Deep Peeling Serum is designed to be used as part of an evening routine. Apply a thin layer to cleansed and dry skin while avoiding the eye area.

The product should remain on the skin for a maximum of 10 minutes before being rinsed thoroughly with water. According to the product instructions, it is recommended for use twice per week with at least three days between applications.

Because exfoliating acids can increase the importance of sun protection within your routine, DSVLINE recommends using a high-protection SPF 50+ sunscreen during the day after use. Do not assume that leaving an acid peel on for longer or using it more frequently will produce better results. Follow the recommended application time and frequency.

Pores are a normal structural feature of the skin, so the goal of skincare should not be to make them disappear. However, clogged pores and excess oil can make pores look more noticeable.

Keeping the skin gently cleansed, avoiding pore-clogging products where relevant, using appropriate exfoliation and protecting the skin from UV exposure can all contribute to a more refined-looking complexion. Be cautious with products promising to permanently "close" or erase pores. A more realistic skincare goal is to reduce congestion and improve their visible appearance.