What could be causing clogged pores and closed comedones on someone who doesn’t wear makeup on the affected areas?

I’m 29. I wear a full face of makeup maybe once or twice a month. The only face makeup I wear daily is concealer under my eyes, cream blush, and loose powder on my forehead, nose, and tip of my chin since those are the oiliest areas. The clogged pores and closed comedones show up in places where I don’t apply any makeup: under my cheekbones, right where hormonal acne usually shows up. I can’t even relate this issue to any product I’ve been using because I’ve had these for years and years now and I could never figure this out but now they’re annoying me. I double cleanse daily and use Nivea gel for oily skin, Nivea soft when my skin is dry and around the eyes, Nivea Oil Control sunscreen, retinoid at night, and vitamin C during the day. I change my pillowcase every two days—no health issues except high cholesterol. I’m fit, exercise daily, and drink a lot of water. I have 3B curly hair and my hair products are very heavy and oily. Maybe that could be causing the clogged pores. Or the high cholesterol? Thank you.

Heavy hair products could definitely be contributing to clogged pores, especially if they come into contact with your skin.

I have the same issue!

I still struggle with some clogged pores in this area. Had acne here since my teens. Years ago, I noticed that I also had light hair on the side of my face. ( I’m brunette, part Italian. We’re a hairy bunch!) I think the hair/fuzz helps keep bacteria and oil in This area. I’ve been using those derma planing razors from TJ Max and I have a home laser for permanent hair removal ….

Hair helps move sebum and bacteria up out of your pores. I see a lot of people who end up breaking out when they dermaplane, because those hairs aren’t above the surface to help move things. I would keep an eye out for any hint of that and give your skin a break if it starts.

Is the acne concentrated around the forehead and temples?

I don’t have any acne on my forehead. I have some on my temples. Pimples, blackheads, and clogged pores.

Is that the only place?

There and under my cheekbones. Those are the only affected places

Okay, tell me which hair products you use so I can take a look.

It could be dead skin, do you exfoliate with like an acid or a face scrub? Also if it’s hormonal there’s not much you can do other than get on the birth control pill and avoid things that will cause inflammation like sugar

I don’t exfoliate. I use a face scrub only once a week. I’ll try an acid for chemical exfoliation, thank you for the advice.

Unfortunately, I can’t take synthetic hormones :frowning: I don’t eat sugar either

Dead skin. Dehydrated pores are essentially hard and they trap sebum/dead skin cells/bacteria- that turn into blackheads, close comedones, etc. I would add in some MILD chemical exfoliation only 2-3 nights a week (not on the same nights you use retinol) and add some extra moisture. Use a BHA (combined with an AHA is okay too, but you want the BHA to help exfoliate down in your pores), and don’t overdo it no matter how tempting. You can take it too far and make the issue worse.