On any given day, your skin is battling sweat, pollution, and pore-clogging face makeup. If you have problematic skin concerns or acne-prone skin—which, according to Craig Austin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, "fifty percent of women over 20 [do]"—keeping your pores squeaky clean is especially hard work.

"Pore sizes and numbers vary largely by gender, locations on the body, and by ethnicities," says Tiffany Libby, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. "Like many other traits, they are a result largely of genetics." Oily skin types are more prone to experience blockages in their pores, which causes bacteria to thrive, leading to whiteheads, blackheads, and papules.1

The goal, of course, is to clear your pores, allowing oxygen to flow freely through them so bacteria can’t cause problems. But it’s easier said than done. Luckily, we are in the business of helping you cure your skin woes and have put together a list of easy, effective ways to keep your pores in tip-top shape.

Keep scrolling for all the best DIY, over-the-counter, and professional remedies for clogged pores.

01 Cleanse with Baking Soda

Before heading to the pharmacy, check your kitchen for ingredients that unblock clogged pores as baking soda works surprisingly well. It turns out that the standard household ingredient makes for an easy deep pore cleanser that gently exfoliates, too. 

For those with truly congested skin, try a DIY baking soda cleansing scrub. Follow these simple steps:

• First, mix two teaspoons of baking soda with one teaspoon of water to make a paste.
• Scoop the mixture with your fingers and, using circular motions, gently massage the baking soda paste onto your face.
• Leave it on the skin to set for five to 10 minutes.
• Rinse clean.

Not only is this effective for removing dead skin cells and buildup in the pores, but baking soda also works to neutralize the pH level of your skin. If your pH is off-balance, your skin can experience anything from acne breakouts, dryness, and even premature aging, so it's important to keep yours in check.

02 Exfoliate with Lactic Acid

For clean pores, raid your fridge. When it comes to exfoliation, you have two main options: physical exfoliators (which we'll get into a little later) or the chemical kind. Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that may be gentler than other exfoliating agents, like citric acid. "It works by [dissolving] away debris from within the pores," says Libby.

"I would recommend using Greek yogurt, which contains lactic acid enzymes to break up dead skin cells, and it may be more useful for improving clogged pores without the high risk [of irritation]," advises Nazarian.

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